Check our news and notes page periodically for updates on what is happening at the Fermanian Business Center and School of Business, along with information about PLNU students and alumni in the business world.
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UPDATED 5/14/08
PLNU Entrepreneur Enrichment Program Recognized by San Diego Chamber of Commerce
The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Spring 2008 Business Action Magazine features President Brower on its cover with a lead article on “Preparing the Workforce of Tomorrow.” On pages 15-16, the Entrepreneur Enrichment Program is featured as an innovative co-curricular program for PLNU undergraduates and MBA’s alike. The inaugural EEP program featured seven San Diego regional area business projects and the 2008-09 EEP has twenty current applicants. These projects have now been turned into marketable business plans, with several San Diego business ventures already underway from the program.
San Diego area student-entrepreneurs know that the Fermanian School of Business at Point Loma Nazarene University is becoming a magnet for business conception, ideas, design and execution. With its Christian heritage, liberal arts tradition, outstanding accredited academics and a passionate focus upon business ethics, the Entrepreneur Enrichment Program is emerging as a key component of building long-term business, personal and professional value in the San Diego region.
Check out San Diego Chamber of Commerce Business Online for more information
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UPDATED 5/13/08
New World Water Campaign
PLNU students took part in the New World Water campaign to reduce consumption of bottled water to benefit the non-profit PlayPumps International.
A class taught by Professor Gailey of International Development and an upper division Sociology Globalization class taught by Professor Gates formed six groups and were assigned six different campaign titles and told the students they had one week to create a campaign using the general theme. All creative freedoms were given to the groups. The students in the New World Water group were Corbyn Small, Nathan Kurisu, Travis Vaughn, Shannon Pavel, Lauren Nelson, and Erik Weber.
Click here to see the overall summary and results of the campaign week to see how well PLNU responded.
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UPDATED 5/7/08
PLNU Golfer and Business Major, Sam Cyr, to Represent the United States in the 2008 World University Games
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (Jan. 30, 2008) – Oklahoma Christian head golf coach David Lynn has selected Sam Cyr of Point Loma Nazarene (Calif.) to represent the United States in the 2008 World University Games.
The event is slated for Sept. 2 through Sept. 5 at the Sun City Resort in Sun City, South Africa.
A junior from Makawao, Hawaii, Cyr is a two-time first-team NAIA All-American. He was the runnerup at last year’s NAIA National Tournament where he fired a four-day total of 285 (-3). Cyr won four events in 2007, including the NAIA Region II championship.
Cyr tied for second at the NAIA Region II tournament in 2006 and placed 11th at the national tournament.
“Much like the other two players we’ve chosen, Sam is a fantastic individual,” Lynn said. “He has a long list of accomplishments and is one of the top players in the NAIA.”
Cyr joins Drew Chuipek of St. Ambrose University (Ia.) and Jarod Trammell of Berry College (Ga.) on the U.S. National Team.
Lynn will lead the three NAIA players along with three NJCAA players in the event.
The World University Games feature teams comprised of college athletes from countries all around the world. The event is held every other year.
The Gary Player Golf Course at the Sun City Resort will host this year’s golf event. The site is also the host of the famous Sun City Million Dollar Invitational.
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UPDATED 5/5/08
"Entrepreneur of the Year" Announced at the Annual EEP Banquet
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UPDATED 5/5/08
Northwestern Mutual Financial Network Welcomes Three PLNU Students To Financial Representative Internship Program
See the press release here
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UPDATED 5/5/08
JA/SIFE Entrepreneurial Competition
San Diego high school students tested their business acumen at San Diego’s first-ever Junior Achievement/Students in Free Enterprise Entrepreneurial Competition, Friday, May 2. The event was the culmination of the eight-week JA Company Program, a partnership between Junior Achievement of San Diego and Imperial Counties and Point Loma Nazarene University’s Students in Free Enterprise Club, which teaches students all aspects of running a successful business, including marketing, production, finance and human resources.
Point Loma business college students have mentored more than 300 students at participating San Diego County high schools and helped them form companies, sell stocks, develop business plans, and sell and market their products. Once the program is completed, students will be encouraged to donate the proceeds of their businesses to charities, schools and neighborhoods of their choice.
The competition took place at JA BizTown, a learning facility built to resemble a miniature metropolis, and be judged by a panel of business experts and alumni of the Junior Achievement program. Awards will be given to high school students with the most profitable company, most socially responsible company and those who produce the most original product. Students in Free Enterprise Club members will receive awards for outstanding mentorship and student leadership.
The event is sponsored in part by Kaiser Permanente, Sentre Partners and the associated student body of Point Loma Nazarene University.
Read More About The Collaboration Between Junior Achievement and SIFE in their 2007 Annual Report
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UPDATED 4/17/08
2007 PLNU Business Administration Graduate Develops 450 KW Solar Energy System
2007 PLNU Business Graduate, Troy Hinds, develops 450 kW Solar Energy System, which has gained international exposure after the announcement it will be built on PLNU's campus. The project began as Mr. Hinds' student research project on the viability of solar energy for PLNU. The project developed into a collaborative effort between students, staff and faculty, which will become the first large commercial solar photovoltaic (PV) system for a San Diego university. The project has made headlines on CNBC, Forbes.com, and a number of other news websites both nationally and internationally.
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UPDATED 3/31/08
PLNU Student-Entrepreneurs Take Central California Business Road Trip
The weekend of March 28-30, 2008, PLNU seniors Jarod Gorla, Gerardo Sandoval, Luke Pinneo and Zach Johnson traveled to the Central San Joaquin Valley of California to tour a myriad of successful agricultural and real estate operations. They were hosted by Mr. Mike Broyles (PLNU ’07), the new Business Development Manager of Summeripe Worldwide, headquartered in Dinuba, Ca., just south of Fresno.
During the whirlwind tour, they met with Mr. Scott Anderson, President of the Kingsburg Federal Land Bank for a discussion of maximizing opportunities for small business funding for entrepreneurs; Mr. and Mrs. Gale Bamford, owners of Bamford Dairy Cattle Feeders, for a tour of their massive operation and discussion of faith, work and ethics; Mr. Daryl Nicholson of Nicholson Enterprises, a diversified firm in land development and mini-storages who discussed the nuances of development and capitalization; and Mr. Broyles who led them on a tour of various aspects of the California tree fruit industry. Each of their hosts are involved in the efforts of PLNU and the Fermanian School of Business, and strong supporters of PLNU students. A special highlight of the weekend was a BBQ at the Bamford home in Kingsburg, where they met Mr. Webster Bamford, an engaging retired businessman, whose passion, energy and charm well reflect his 95 year old youthfulness!
The group of students each are pursuing entrepreneurial activities and such opportunities provide a great opportunity to learn from successful business leaders who can share their wisdom, practices and faith in Jesus Christ, in furtherance of the Fermanian School of Business’s vision of “More Than the Bottom Line: Business Education to Change the World.”
The Fermanian Business Center would like to thank Mr. Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. Bamford, Mr. Nicholson and Mr. Broyles for their time and effort!
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UPDATED 3/27/08
PLNU MBA Students Attend Business Clubs America Breakfast Featuring Jim "The Rookie" Morris
Westland Insurance Brokers Business Clubs America Breakfast Event was held Friday, March 14, 2008 at The Hall of Champions in Balboa Park. Special Guest was Jim Morris, who shared his inspiring story based on the Walt Disney movie "The Rookie" and the bestseller "The Oldest Rookie".
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UPDATED 3/25/08
JA/SIFE 2nd Annual Entrepreneurial Convention
SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) has a partnership with a local nonprofit, Junior Achievement (JA) of San Diego and Imperial Counties. JA is an educational nonprofit with programs that teach students (k-12) business principles, economics, and financial literacy. The organization trains business volunteers from the community to teach their programs and become role models for the students. The result of JA's programs are students who are inspired to stay in school and know how to be contributing citizens in their community, thus preparing them for a successful future. One program in particular is called the JA Company Program that not only teaches the High School students about businesses, but allows the students to create and operate their own business during a 12 week program.
In the partnership between JA and SIFE, the SIFE students from PLNU are the volunteers that teach the JA Company Program in High School classes around San Diego. By attending the weekly sessions in the classrooms, the PLNU business students (consultants) become positive role models and are helping to prepare the next generation of San Diego leaders. The SIFE students introduce the classes to the business principles covered in the curriculum, and mentor the students through the process of choosing a business name, creating a business plan, selling stock, and selling a product to students and faculty at the school.
One unique element in the partnership is the JA/SIFE Entrepreneurial Convention. This year the JA/SIFE 2nd Annual Entrepreneurial Convention, sponsored by Kaiser Permanente, took place on PLNU's campus on Tuesday, March 11, 2008. This was an all day event for the Officers and two delegates from each of the 12 high school classes that are participating in the program. The high school and SIFE students that attended the event heard from PLNU business professors and other San Diego based business leaders discuss topics on Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Finance, Leadership, and Social Responsibility. Representatives from Kaiser Permanente, Nixon, and San Diego Office Interiors among others led these informational and interactive sessions. The students also learned about resumes, informational interviews, and the importance of dressing professionally. The students were provided with lunch sponsored by Papa Johns and ended the day with a tour of the PLNU campus. The point of the convention was to provide the students with important principles that would be brought back to the classroom to help them have a successful JA Company Program business.
This year there are over 20 SIFE students placed in 12 high school classes. The schools include Morse High, Patrick Henry High, San Diego Met, Kearney High, and Mission Bay High.
These 12 classes that are participating in the partnership will compete against each other at the end of the program. The businesses will be judged and a winner will be awarded in each of the three categories; overall profitability, product originality, and social responsibility. There will be a competition and awards ceremony in the beginning of May held at Junior Achievement's offices.
For more information on Junior Achievement please visit the website at www.jasandiego.org
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UPDATED 3/18/08
PLNU MBA Turns Senior Project Into Shaping SD Youth Art Education
PLNU MBA (2006) Sarah Yasukochi is the owner of the Young Rembrandts franchise in northern San Diego, and has succesfully taken her extensive event planning, marketing, and business background to help shape young artists in San Diego. The Young Rembrandts is an innovative and rapidly growing art education program that works with local elementary schools or pre-schools to supplement or enhance existing curriculum. Recently, Entrepreneur Magazine ranked the program as one of its "Best of the Best", as well as earning top honors for "Best Home-Based Franchise" and "Low-Cost Franchise". For more information see www.youngrembrandts.com/northsandiego-ca.
Ms. Yasukochi is just another example of the significant impact PLNU MBA's past, present, and future are having in their communities. While she leads her business, she continues to pursue multiple professional opportunities and can be reached at syasukochi@aol.com.
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UPDATE 2/21/08
Fermanian Business Students
Make Their Presence Known at
Regional Venture Capital Breakfast
On Thursday, February 21, 2008, a group of sixteen students and the staff of the Fermanian Business Center attended the San Diego Venture Group’s breakfast event titled “Initial Public Offerings: Let Me Count the Ways…” Held at the Hyatt Regency La Jolla, the PLNU group joined over 300 other entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, financiers, investment bankers, attorney’s and other business leaders to discuss innovations in taking small-cap and mid-cap companies to the financial markets.
The San Diego Venture Group is a non-profit business organization whose mission is to provide an informal atmosphere that fosters ideas on how to form, fund and build new ventures. The group is comprised of professionals with bright ideas to share, and the skills to implement those ideas. With over 800 affiliated members and an average monthly meeting attendance of 325 people, the SDVG is helping San Diego become a significant entrepreneurial and venture center.
The burgeoning entrepreneurial interest among many of PLNU’s students involves more than just business students, and this interest continues to be fostered by the efforts of the faculty and staff of the Fermanian School of Business and Business Center, especially with the Entrepreneur Enrichment Program. Connecting our student-entrepreneurs to significant regional individuals and firms who are supportive of for-profit and non-profit firms is a major initiative of the Fermanian Business Center.
Students who attended included Michael Anderson, Jonathan Ares, Nathan Cadieux, Aimee Call, Whitney Cauzza, Alycia Cox, Joe de Craen, Daniel Eddy, Steve Haskell, Zach Johnson, Alexander Knutson, Stephen Miller, Hugh Scanlon, Zachary Smith, Brian Todd, and Travis Vaughn joined Fermanian Business Center Staff Courtney Urbano, Cathy Gallagher and Randy Ataide, were greeted by Rachel Barley (pictured), Executive Director of SDVG.
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UPDATED 2/15/08
2007 Dealmaker of the Year, NTC Foundation, Honored in San Diego Magazine
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UPDATED 2/15/08
PLNU MBA Graduate, Jason Jenkins,
Recognized in San Diego Magazine as a Five Star Wealth Manager
San Diego Magazine's 2008 Five Star Wealth Managers in the San Diego area were determined by the 2008 Independent Survey of Consumers to find the best in client satisfaction. Surveyed are high-net-worth consumers, financial service professionals, and San Diego Magazine subscribers. Mr. Jenkins, with Jenkins Wealth Management, is recognized for Integrity, Intelligence, and Independence.
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UPDATED 2/1/08
SAN DIEGO 2008 ECONOMIC OUTLOOK
Bank of America and the Fermanian Business Center held the San Diego 2008 Economic Outlook Breakfast on Wednesday, January 30, 2008. Managing Director and Chief Market Strategist, Mr. Joseph Quinlan was the keynote speaker.
See what Voice of San Diego had to say.
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UPDATED 12/20/07
PLNU Journalism Professor Publishes Story About Trip To Guatemala And Working with Healing Waters International
Dean Nelson, founder and director of the journalism program at PLNU, has story published in Westways Magazine about his trip to Guatemala with his daughter to work with Healing Waters International, an organization that installs water purification systems in developing countries. The organization was co-founded by Tom and Dana Larson. Dana Larson was the Alumnus of Point Loma in 2005.
Read story
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UPDATED 12/10/07
Entrepreneur Enrichment Program Recognized in San Diego Metropolitan
Randy M. Ataide and Cathy L. Gallagher, director and manager of the Fermanian Business Center are recognized in the San Diego Metropolitan for the development of the Entrepreneur Enrichment Program (EEP). The EEP consists of competition-driven business projects and models for collaboration and counsel between students and industry leaders, entrepreneurs and financiers.
See what the San Diego Metropolitan has to say about the EEP
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PLNU MBA Publishes Book
(November 19, 2007) SAN DIEGO, CA Chad Young (PLNU MBA ’07) has just published his MBA Senior Project “Da Capo: A Voyage to a Better Life” in both hardbound and paperback. Combining his literary flair and business acumen, Chad created a reflective volume of life and personal spirituality and with the assistance of his MBA Advisor Dr. Harry Watkins, built a formidable marketing plan around his vision and passion. At the Executive Development Event held at the Fermanian Business Center on Monday, November 19, 2007, Chad’s efforts were spotlighted for our faculty, MBA’s, prospective MBA’s and invited guests.
To obtain your own copy of Da Capo visit www.dacapobook.com/
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UPDATE 11/12/2007
PLNU Business Professor Addresses Farm Credit Administration Leaders During California Agricultural Tour
(October 4, 2007) REEDLEY, CA - Board and Staff members of the Federal Farm Credit Administration (“FCA”), based in McLean, Virginia, visited several key agricultural operations based in the San Joaquin Valley during a three day visit from September 30-October 2, 2007. The FCA is the independent Federal agency for examining and regulating the approximately 175 billion dollar Farm Credit System (“FCS”). Led by Ms. Nancy C. Pellet, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Farm Credit Administration, and Board Member Mr. Dallas Tonsager, the group totaled approximately 60 people and included not only the FCA representatives but also Board Members and staff from FCA lending agencies throughout California.
Co-hosted by the Kingsburg Federal Land Bank and its President Mr. Scott Anderson, and Farm Credit West and its President Mr. Ken Graff with approximately 5 billion dollars of FCA loans in California agriculture, the tour made an afternoon visit to the Mountain View Fruit Sales and Cold Storage facilities located in Reedley. The group learned about issues, products and innovations in the stone fruit industry, and toured the cold storage, ripening and research and development facilities of Mountain View, as well as the innovative strategic organization Summeripe Worldwide, Inc., of which Mountain View is a founding member. Founded in 1994, the Mountain View companies are the sales agent for approximately 100 Fresno and Tulare tree fruit growers.
Following the tour, there was a question and answer period between Point Loma Nazarene University’s Associate Professor of Business Randy M. Ataide as to emerging financial services, products and competitive challenges for California tree fruit growers and how the FCA, FCS and its member financial services cooperatives can remain the lenders of choice for the vibrant agricultural economy across the United States. Ataide joined PLNU in 2005, but remains a principal in the Mountain View family of companies. Joining Professor Ataide on the tour were John Miles and Michael Broyles, 2007 graduates of PLNU, and Stephen Miller, a senior at PLNU.
Under Chairman Pellet’s leadership, to enhance their understanding of the diversity and evolution of agriculture throughout the country, several years ago the FCA Board and staff began to visit various agricultural regions of the United States, and this tour represented the first-ever visit by the FCA to California.
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UPDATE 11/8/2007
Congratulations to PLNU alumni Shea Foley and Shea Parton for their successful marketing of Apolis Activism to several high-end retailers including Bloomingdales.
To find out more about Apolis Activism, visit their website or read their Designer Spotlite article in revolveclothing.com
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UPDATE 10/8/2007
See What the San Diego Business Journal has to say about the Dealmaker of the Year Awards: