Message from the Chair


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Robert Leonard, Dept. of Business & Economics, has had a paper accepted for presentation, publication, and an award. The paper: The Impact of Motivation and Leader Behavior on Satisfaction in Nonprofits, will be presented at the 19th annual conference of The American Society of Business and Behavioral Sciences (ASBBS), February 23 – 26, 2012, Las Vegas, NV. And will be published in The Journal of Business and Behavioral Sciences. It has also been chosen as the “Best Paper of the Leadership Track” of the conference.

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What better way to experience America’s participation in the business of Global Trade than to witness first-hand the coming and going of goods into one of the busiest seaports in the world? Students in Professor Treva Clark’s Special Topics course on Exporting-Importing (BUS290) were offered this incredible opportunity on March 2nd, 2011, when 14 students and 3 chaperones traveled to the Port of Baltimore in Baltimore, Maryland for a behind-the-scenes looks at port activities.

Working with representatives from the Maryland Department of Transportation, US Department of Homeland Security, and the US Customs and Border Protection Agency, Professor Clark arranged for the group to tour both the SeaGirt and Dundalk Cargo Terminals at the Port of Baltimore, providing a glimpse of cargo movement few students (and even fewer global consumers!) ever have a chance to see. Globally considered one of the most efficient port operations in the world, The Port of Baltimore ranks number one among U.S. ports for handling imported roll on/roll off goods, imported forest products, imported sugar, and imported gypsum. The Port is ranked second for exported autos and imported iron ore, and third nationally for imported autos, imported aluminum, and exported coal.

Passing nearby the 5-story cranes lifting 20 and 40-foot containers of exported goods off of the dock and onto waiting ships was a true “wow” event for many of the students. The group’s tour guides, Ms. MaryJane Norris of the Baltimore Port Administration and Officer Aaron Barnes of the US Customs and Border Protection Agency, explained the inner working of port security, logistics movement, supply chain maximization, and the importance of exporting and importing to America’s role in the world economy. Students were amazed to learn that a container ship can carry up to 6000 vehicles at one time, see 40-foot cargo containers being stacked 6 high and 8 across on board ship, and recognize many local Central Pennsylvania brands being loaded onto ships bound for foreign destinations.

The group’s final stop was a luncheon hosted by J.S. Connor, Inc., an internationally respected freight forwarder headquartered in Baltimore who shared with students the types of jobs available in the cargo and freight forwarding industries and the skills necessary to succeed in today’s global business environment. Reflecting on the day in Baltimore, students described the experience as “seeing international business in action” and having made the class concepts “more tangible”. Perhaps the best comment, though, to sum up the port tour was this offered by a student in her reflection paper: “This trip added value to the class because it is proof that the information … is not made up. It is applicable to real life processes in the real world.” And another students’, “I gained a better understanding of the necessity for time, space, people and resources needed to meet the demands of international trade.”

Now THAT’S learning!

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The World Trade Center (WTC) of Central Pennsylvania is a non-profit, membership organization specifically tasked with supporting the growth of international trade in south-central Pennsylvania. Reflecting impressively high levels of professionalism, resourcefulness, relevance, and economic impact, the WTC of Central Pennsylvania seemed an ideal fit for the LVC Department of Business and Economics so in March 2011 the Department became a full and participating member in the WTC.

Several of our peer institutions are currently members of the WTC, to include York College, Elizabethtown College, HACC, and PSU-Harrisburg; likewise, many private companies which are important supporters of Lebanon Valley College (LVC) are also active WTC members. The benefits realized by both students and staff with membership in the WTC easily justify membership. Specifically, we gain access to student internship opportunities, up-to-date local, regional, and national trade data, invitation to attend educational seminars, and networking sessions to further expand our exposure and reputation with the Central PA international business community. Membership in the WTC also provides local access to WTC locations in those countries hosting our study abroad students, and is an important consideration in making study abroad experiences more meaningful and academically relevant.

Joining the WTC is a positive step for the LVC Department of Business & Economics in many ways, and reinforces our commitment to the business community in Central Pennsylvania. It’s one more way we are working to connect students with businesses, and to connect classroom with commerce.

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As always, your comments and insights are welcome.

David V. Rudd, Chair

Department of Business and Economics

Lebanon Valley College

rudd@lvc.edu

 717-867-6109