BY KATRINA WALKER
Generations of students and graduates have been plagued by the question: What is my true calling in life? Four alumni from Corban University’s Hoff School of Business who graduated in different decades say the school helped them find the answer by giving them a practical, well-rounded education.
BY KATRINA WALKER
Generations of students and graduates have been plagued by the question: What is my true calling in life? Four alumni from Corban University’s Hoff School of Business who graduated in different decades say the school helped them find the answer by giving them a practical, well-rounded education. The university helps students build connection swith professors, nurture their intellectual and spiritual curiosity, and prepare them for a career path.
Robin Jahnke graduated with a B.A. in business administration in 1979 and looks back on that time as a golden period. “Any school can teach you the basic mechanics,” says Jahnke, director of fulfillment and corporate services at Sierra Trading Post, a Wyoming-based apparel company. “But the thing that makes Corban University’s program unique is the source of truth, which provides the basis of making ethical decisions.”
As a business administration major, Jahnke worked hard for his grades, eventually making it on the Dean’s List.
Corban University students enjoy a 13:1 ratio |
After finishing school, Jahnke worked at J.C. Penney doing catalog operations in the distribution center with 75 people in his department. He differentiated himself by applying what he learned at Corban: thinking things through and analyzing the environment to identify opportunities for growth and improved efficiencies. He left Penney as a partner in the company and now has 350 people reporting directly to him at Sierra.
The most valuable Corban lesson? “Finding myself and becoming spiritual. I feel my education contributed to that,” says Jahnke. He follows the biblical principles taught at Corban, and as a high-level executive, it has made an impact.
“Success for me as a Christian is how I live my life and dealing with people the way God wants me. You can tell much about the character of a man by the way he treats those who do nothing for him,” says Jahnke, recalling a quote from one of his coaches.
In 2014 the university’s president, Sheldon C. Nord, started the President’s Advisory Council for Excellence, with Jahnke as one of the council members, a proud moment for him.
For Salem resident Amy Jordan, a 2012 graduate, Corban’s practical approach of building a student for the real job market proved invaluable.
“At Corban they said: In real life this is what is going to happen. And that gave me a more realistic stance on some of the assignments,” says Jordan. That philosophy starts at the top with P. Griffith Lindell, the Dean of Corban’s Hoff School of Business and author of multiple books for entrepreneurs and other business leaders.
Sheldon C. Nord, Ph.D., |
Jordan currently works at Doty, Pruett, and Wilson (a Salem-based CPA and business planning firm) as a staff accountant, and has been there for two and half years. While at Hoff School of Business, professors encouraged a diversity of classes like communication and psychology.
It paid off. “They have been so helpful, because when you get into public accounting, you are working with people’s money, so at times you become a counselor.”
Jordan has yet to be unemployed since leaving Corban. Her journey in the professional world started off with an internship in a different firm, where she was mentored every step of the way. Jordan describes the mentorship she received at Corban as “three-dimensional.” Assistant Professor of Business and Marketing Kelli Gassman,was always there preparing Jordan for interviews, giving her résumé tips and, most importantly, caring about her overall well-being.
Says Jordan: “I continue to stay in touch with my professors, and they tell me, if something is not making sense, call us.”
Shawn Abbey, owner of Abbey Carpet Care, graduated from Corban 29 years ago. But he applies his degree in psychology in business management even today. For his business of carpet, upholstery, tile and grout cleaning, he needs to manage a staff of four and build goodwill with his clients.
“I learned in my psychology program how to combine management and managing people, and that was really important,” Abbey says.
Abbey has proven he is an alumnus who gives back, having employed 35 Corban graduates over the years. “We can be a transitional employer where they can work here for a couple years until they find their niche and are able to head on to their career path.”
Heather Simpson, a 2013 Hoff School of Business graduate, followed three of Corban’s recommendations — network, seek mentors and find an internship, even if it’s unpaid.
This strategy led Simpson to her current job as a marketing specialist at McMinnville Economic Development, and she appreciates Corban for giving her real-world experience through school projects and investing in her as an individual.
Jahnke sums up the benefits of Corban’s Hoff School of Business: “Their approach is to deal with the total person rather than just the subject matter. You know your professors, and there is a lot of value to that.”
More at grad.corban.edu/mba.
