Culver-Stockton goes to Kansas City

Business students were able to test their skills with top executives in the corporate field.

Current C-SC students recently participated in the second annual Corporate Experience to Kansas City. The trip was hosted by H.B. Turner `79, trustee of Culver-Stockton College. Students had the opportunity to tour Turner's company Heatron, Inc. as well as Cerner, Inc. and Vistage CEO Group.

The trip included a visit to the Liberty Memorial which is the official U.S. World War I Museum.

Cerner, Inc., is a leading supplier in health care information technology solutions.

"We were given a look at a futuristic hospital room that will provide sophisticated technology in health care," said Jim Cosgrove, professor of business administration.

"Cerner provides health care information technology using less waste by eliminating paperwork, digitizing comprehensive patient records, accurately capturing medical billing, scheduling patient visits via the Internet, and the distribution of medication," explained Kim Gaither, associate professor of finance.

The students visited the Vistage CEO Group where they met with 12 business leaders and CEOs from the Kansas City area.

"Students were divided into small groups led by a business leader to discuss developing a new product. Then each group presented their analysis of the new product to the entire group," added Gaither.

"The Vistage Group is a unique organization. We gained a glimpse inside the minds of top individuals in their field. It was a great opportunity to capture the experience with a question-and-answer session with the leaders of Kansas City area companies," said Katy Hanus, C-SC business and psychology student.

The students met with alumni and friends of the college at a reception at the Embassy Suites in Kansas City. Stacy Raith '83, hosted the reception.

"At the alumni reception, the students gave a presentation about EXP@CSC and laid out the activities of the Business Division," added Cosgrove.

Sarah Maloney, a 2008 Pillars Scholarship recipient from Kansas City, Mo., also attended the event where she met with alumni and current students. She was introduced by Culver-Stockton College President Dr. William L. Fox.

The trip concluded with a visit to Heatron in Leavenworth, Kan.
H. B. Turner and Mike Keenan talked with the students about Heatron and provided a tour of the facilities. The group also completed an exercise led by the director of human resources.

"The trip was truly a learning experience. I learned how imperative group work is to an organization because without it, a company cannot really be a success," said Ashley Wort, C-SC business student.

Managing "Your Paycheck"

C-SC business students participated in "Your Paycheck" training session recently. Dawn Conner, senior economic education specialist at the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, conducted the workshop. Laura Kent Donahue, executive director of "Your Paycheck" was also part of the event.

"Your Paycheck" is a financial education training program for C-SC students who then present the program to area schools to help students understand the importance of spending and saving wisely and how to set and reach financial goals.

"Understanding basic financial concepts and putting them into practice in college can improve students' lives for years to come, and we are fortunate to have a great partner in Dawn Conner and the St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank," said Lynn Fox, senior adviser of The Federal Reserve Board.

"It's a great program for all concerned, especially the new employee who learns the basic financial concepts and how to integrate them into their everyday lives," said Donahue. "The session also illustrates how their hard-earned money can work for them and their future."

Conner also gave a presentation to education students. "Based on the Department of Education and Secondary Education competencies in economic education, Dawn's session focused on activities for elementary and middle school students as we encourage young students to be more 'money savvy,'" said Terry Sherer, chair of the education division. "It was an excellent opportunity to coordinate the 'Paycheck' program with the competencies required of the teacher education program."

"I first attended the training in September because Ms. Courtney talked about it in our "Introduction to Education" class, and it sounded like fun," said Karrie Guthrie, freshman education student. "I think it's a great program because it teaches kids the importance of managing your money early."

"The 'Your Paycheck' training was great. Dawn did such a wonderful job informing us and giving us new ideas and tips for teaching. This program is such a great thing for younger people and the information will help them be successful in the future," said Leah Hall, junior accounting and finance student.

"It is a very exciting and informative course that provides students with the necessary tools to properly manage their money. More and more Americans are falling into debt, many times because they are not aware of how to properly budget and manage their money," said Ryan Thoroman, freshman accounting and finance student. "The earlier that we can educate students on such things as savings and investments, the higher the likelihood that they well go on to live financially responsible lives."

Culver-Stockton takes art trip to Chicago

Artwork created by Robert Kennon, associate professor of art.

Nine Culver-Stockton College students and two faculty members went on an art trip to Chicago recently. The group explored the vast art collection at the Art Institute of Chicago, experienced culture and natural history at the Field Museum, and marveled at the architecture of the city's buildings.

At the Art Institute of Chicago, the group spent hours getting lost in the general splendor of the museum.  Even though time was short, students were excited to have the opportunity to see the famous and priceless pieces of art.

"It was great," said Caleb Bourn, a junior, fine arts major. "I got to stand in front of Picasso."

The Field Museum offered the group a different experience.  Within its walls, the Field Museum houses taxidermic animals from around the world, information on climate trends of our planet, and archeology findings including the largest and best preserved T-Rex in the world. 

"The trip was a great opportunity for the students to explore large museums," said Robert Kennon, associate professor of art. "It was fun just getting lost in the city, experiencing the different culture, and admiring the diverse architecture."

In March, Robert Kennon was invited to Quincy University for a "One Man Art Show."  It is the second time Kennon has been recognized with the honor.  For the past five years, Kennon made a series of 50 religious abstract engravings and cut prints.  For the art show, he selected 35 pieces. 

"Usually I work with a lot of color, but for this series I only used black and white," added Kennon. "It was fun to try something different and get out of my norm."

Next, Kennon plans to do a "Stonehenge" series that he estimates will take at least 18 months to complete.

Education Students participate in Mansion Tour

Culver-Stockton education students recently participated in a program for fourth grade students at the Governor John Wood Mansion in Quincy, Ill.  Twenty-nine education majors took the roles of business and social leaders, caregivers, politicians, and soldiers from Quincy's history while also assuming the role of a fourth grader touring the mansion.  This was a unique and fun opportunity for C-SC students to receive hands-on experience.

The students began the program in the library next to the mansion with another group, except these students were actually fourth graders from Blessed Sacrament Catholic School in Quincy.  They had a short lecture on the history of the family, Quincy, and the mansion itself.  Then, they split into smaller groups of about seven or eight people each and participated in different activities.  These activities included: a library visit to introduce themselves as their assigned characters, a place to learn about period dress with examples, and a tour of the mansion.  After the activities, the group headed back to where they started for a question-and-answer session and more history.

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