Enjoying the Harvest

By Cara Warfield

When Troy Jones enrolled in Anderson University, he already knew what he wanted to do when he graduated — own his own business, be a good boss, and make money. Sounds simple enough, especially since he already owned a landscaping business in his Ohio hometown.

“I have a passion for working with smaller businesses and seeing them grow,” he says.

Having graduated from AU in May, Jones is one of many from the Falls School of Business eager to make their mark on the business world. It may be challenging to follow in the footsteps of some of the FSB alumni who have gone on to become CEOs, CFOs, marketing advisers, business managers, and entrepreneurs, but Jones and his peers are confident they’re in the right place.

That’s because in the few years it has existed, the Anderson University Falls School of Business has enjoyed immense success. The number of faculty teaching at the undergraduate level has doubled as enrollment continues to grow for undergraduate and graduate programs. The Master of Business Administration program has doubled its enrollment in the last seven years, and the Doctor of Business Administration program has doubled enrollment in the last three.

Not bad for a business school less than 15 years old. The AU Department of Business and Economics became the School of Business in 1992 and has been fine-tuning itself ever since. The MBA program also began in 1992 and the DBA launched in spring 2001, the same year the business program moved into Hardacre Hall and became the Falls School of Business.

“We are enjoying the fruition of our labors,” says Dr. Terry Truitt, dean of the Falls School of Business. “If we look back over time, we see much work done by Dr. Glenn Falls, Dr. Harold Linamen, and many others who have laid the foundation. They have labored in the field. They have plowed, planted seed, cleared land, pulled weeds — all the things that would provide a great harvest. If you do the things that would give a good harvest, you can’t be too surprised when you have one. These successes came upon us because of hard work and because of God’s blessings.”

Making History

The business program had an especially eventful year in 2004, receiving national recognition for its quality education and Christian values. Business Reform magazine selected the Falls School of Business as “Dean’s Choice” among Christian business schools, stating that “Anderson’s business program is where most business faculty at Christian colleges all over America would send their own kids.” This honor arrived soon after the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs reaffirmed the FSB’s accreditation. Despite these accolades, the FSB continued to pursue heightened challenges. One endeavor was the launch of INvision AU, a program designed to increase in-state retention of graduates. Created through a $750,000 Lilly Endowment grant, INvision AU has been a cooperative effort among the university, the Falls School of Business, government and business leaders, AU alumni, and student organizations — all working to connect students with businesses statewide.

To that end, INvision AU has established several components, including initiatives to create 25 new internships every year and a network of Indiana-based FSB alumni. Additionally, grant money is in use to foster economic development. One incentive provides capital for an upperclassman planning to start a business in Anderson.

Additionally, the Falls School of Business and its students are celebrating the completion of the Flagship Enterprise Center, a feat promising to impact all of Madison County and warm the entrepreneurial waters for future businesses. The new business park was completed in May as a not-for-profit business incubator, providing support for local start-up companies and hands-on learning experiences for AU students. The university and the City of Anderson partnered to create the FEC, which boasts 40,000 square feet for business offices, conference centers, and light manufacturing areas for creating prototypes.

“At present, we have 10 clients in five different locations around Anderson,” says FEC director Art Patterson. “These 10 clients have already created more than 50 new jobs, and most have excellent growth prospects. AU students should be very proud of the FEC. I’m not aware of any other school the size of AU that controls a state-of-the-art incubator.”

U.S. Rep. Mike Pence worked to secure more than $500,000 for the construction of the FEC, and was greatly impressed with the facility when he visited the construction site in early December. “I would just like to say welcome to the new Anderson economy,” he said to a group of 20 AU students. “It’s really about you that all these bricks and mortar are going up. The Flagship is all about creating an atmosphere where good jobs can percolate.”

Making the Connection

The success and expanding leadership role of the Falls School of Business is also exemplified through its graduate programs. The MBA and DBA programs attract a growing number of working professionals, even as enrollment in competing business schools has dwindled.

Collectively these two programs graduated 98 students in 2005. The MBA program alone has graduated more than 600 individuals since its inception, and the DBA program continues to welcome students from more than 25 states and 42 higher learning institutions.

“It is really remarkable to consider the significant reach and impact the MBA program has had during the past decade,” says Dr. Jeffrey Buck, MBA program director. “We have been able to directly influence the communities of Central Indiana as faculty and staff, sharing our gifts in ways that change the lives of many individuals and organizations.”

In trying to accommodate the nine-to-five lifestyle of most working professionals, the MBA program offers classes in five locations, including the AU campus, Forum Credit Union headquarters in Fishers, Walker Information in Keystone, the Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township, and St. Vincent Hospital in Carmel. Classes meet one evening per week, and by taking just two courses each semester, students can complete their degree in less than two years while keeping quality as the primary goal. Classes are semester-long, focusing on application to the “real world” and on the dynamics of group learning.

Classes for the DBA program meet throughout the year when traditional college semesters are not in session. Business professors from across the country travel to the AU campus to complete intensive course work. In addition, students complete independent studies in preparation for their grand finale — their dissertations.

The doctoral program is unique for several reasons, including its emphasis on teaching, integration of Christian values, and traditional classroom setting. “The layout of our program meets a special niche because students can still work full time,” explains Dr. Doyle Lucas, DBA program director. “In most instances with other doctoral programs, students complete all coursework online, or they have to quit their jobs to complete their business doctorate. We’re trying to bridge that gap by offering a top-quality program for Christian business teachers.”

The outreach of both graduate programs has brought a refreshing diversity to the classroom as people from different academic and professional backgrounds participate. In fact, more than half of the current MBA students have undergraduate degrees in non-business-related fields. Company vice presidents and entry-level managers alike share their unique perspectives and enhance the learning experience for everyone.

“The program is intentional about recruiting individuals with varied backgrounds and purposely provides students the opportunity to travel and study abroad,” says Buck. “The MBA students are exposed to individuals with different perspectives and understandings, developing them beyond their individual knowledge base and comfort zone.”

The benefit to the university has been an expansion of business connections as well as a growing referral network. The MBA program in particular has developed strong relationships with many respected Indianapolis organizations. In some cases, says Buck, businesses encourage their employees to attend AU, and even pay for tuition.

Proud of their degrees and grateful for so many learning experiences, MBA and DBA graduates often want to give something back to their alma mater, and suddenly the 600-plus MBA graduates (more than 90 percent of whom reside in Indiana) become a powerful resource for current students in search of internship and career connections. The MBA Alumni Association formed this past year to connect graduates with each other, with the MBA program, and with the Falls School of Business.

Staying the Course

Throughout its success, and perhaps the reason for it, the FSB has remained firmly committed to the mission of AU, espousing academic excellence, personal and spiritual growth, and service to others. “Our primary mission is to care for our students,” explains Truitt. “We are Christian business professors first and because of that, we must be academically strong, encourage discovery, and serve as role models as we journey with students in their life walk.”

This dedication to excellence is most easily seen in the classroom where professors challenge students and provide a practical look into the business world.

“The classes are so down to earth,” says Jones. “Just the connection with the professors and the open format — it’s more like a family setting, and I’ve learned so much.”

Focusing on current business trends and tools is a strength for the FSB as nearly all faculty members pursue outside business endeavors. Associate business and economics Professor Greg Heberling is also an entrepreneur and has been part owner in several Anderson businesses. Associate accounting Professor Cindy Peck also serves on the Indiana Board of Accountancy. And associate business Professor Becky Haskett spends much of her spare time working with not-for-profit organizations such as Second Harvest Food Bank.

Professors’ ongoing professional development adds something very special to the classroom experience, says Andrew Rosenberg, a senior business management major. “They give examples from their lives, and we believe in their authority,” he says.

In turn, students are required to demonstrate their commitment to the FSB, and must now apply to be accepted into the business program. “As sophomores, students wanting to study at the Falls School of Business must be admitted, which requires an application, and a minimal GPA in particular classes,” Truitt explains. “We see that as a way to encourage students to excel. We’re raising the bar — not to exclude people, but to motivate them to step up early.”

The academic rigor of the FSB is matched equally by the unlimited support it extends to its students. Having turned down a full-ride scholarship to the University of Indianapolis, Rosenberg chose AU partly for its Christian focus and friendly atmosphere. “Along with gaining hands-on experience, it’s been very encouraging to have professors who care about our spirituality,” he says. “In today’s world, it’s so important that businesses act ethically. AU isn’t jumping on the bandwagon to teach ethics, they’ve been teaching it all along.”

Recent graduate Amanda Ramirez also felt the support of her professors and adviser as she explored the not-for-profit business world. “It’s so nice to have such strong women role models who really know their stuff,” she says. “They really want their students to succeed, and they’re willing to go the extra mile.”

Finally, the FSB owes much of its success to the students themselves, eager to pursue professional experience and get involved in the community. Many are active in Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE), an international student organization that fosters leadership, teamwork, and project planning skills among its college members. The AU chapter has been around for 15 years, working to develop free enterprise and raise economic awareness throughout Madison County. Thanks to increased funding through INvision AU, SIFE was able to expand this year, adding a component of the program that partners student teams with developing local businesses.

“SIFE Consulting is about identifying high-potential businesses in Madison County and helping them get great starts,” says SIFE consulting adviser and marketing Professor Mike Wiese. “We went through a process to identify firms we really could help, and then analyzed their business needs.”

Likewise, many students have become involved in the Anderson University Marketing Association (AUMA), a recent development that provides career insights, networking opportunities, and hands-on experiences to further their marketing skills.

Most often, however, students are plugged into the community through internships, working for top-notch corporations, small developing businesses, and everything in between. These professional experiences, according to Truitt, are what set the FSB and its students apart. “Application is so important,” he says. “We teach theory inside the classroom, and we match that with opportunities outside the classroom to actually apply the theory.”

Nowhere but up…

Committed professors. Eager students. And a strong foundation in Christian faith and service. The Falls School of Business has made leaps and bounds since its inception, but remains firmly grounded in what’s important. As long as this is true, Truitt believes the business programs will continue to grow. “Our vision is to become the premier Christian business school — first in Indiana, then across the nation, and then around the world,” he says. “For us, it’s a part of being responsible to our students and giving them the best education in a Christian business environment.”

Most importantly, the students themselves believe in the program and the success it will bring to them.

“Leadership means you work hard and your goal is to produce the best product possible,” Ramirez says. “The FSB is trying to produce the best students possible by giving them the best possible education. I’ve enjoyed the challenges of the business program and I believe that, for the most part, there’s nothing I can’t do.”