The business faculty continue to be intentional about making learning come alive with practical applications. So far this school year, students have participated in many real-world projects.
In an advertising class taught by George Perez, associate professor of business, teams of students completed advertising plans for six local organizations, including Andy’s Market, Wild Willow Flower House, and the ABC Christian Bookstore. The students then made professional presentations to the organizational owners and managers. Joanna Nelson, WWU grant manager and business instructor, had her class complete a comprehensive marketing plan for the university auto shop, which provides services to the public.
In an accounting class taught by Brian Shaffner, assistant professor of business, students enjoyed a field trip to Expion360, a publicly-traded company that produces lithium-iron phosphate batteries for recreational vehicles and energy storage markets. The students got a personalized tour by the CEO who also happens to be Shaffner himself. Students also toured Stratos Aircraft, which manufactures carbon fiber single-engine jets.
Stephen Pilgrim, professor of business, took his students on a tour of Key Technology, Inc., a manufacturer of agriculture and pharmaceutical processing machines. A large portion of the world’s french fries are made on those machines. Students also heard directly from the marketing directors at Key Technology and later on another tour of Baker Boyer Bank.
In the Information Systems class, taught by Steven Forbis, assistant professor of business, students went and interacted with Derrick Holder, a leader in cybersecurity at Cisco Systems. Forbis’ Operations Management students applied course concepts to the design and operations of The Atlas, the on-campus coffee shop.
This is just a partial list of the opportunities business students have had this year to see how textbook knowledge is used in practice. To keep up with the School of Business, visit wallawalla.edu/business.
Posted May 16, 2025.
