Executives, Fortune 500 members meet with LU students
Special from PR
Issue date: 5/6/09 Section: News
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The institution bused officials from companies such as ONEOK, OG&E, BancFirst, The Oklahoman, and the Children's Hospital from its Oklahoma City campus to its main campus in Langston. In Langston, participants shared professional advice with students during a panel discussion; listened to student research presentations; and participated in a luncheon in which they could talk one-on-one with students.
Dubbed "A Day of Discovery," this event allows members of the corporate world and LU students to come together for some personal interaction. The LU administration hopes the event will result in lasting partnerships with the companies and create internship and job opportunities for its students.
"This event was not only beneficial to the students and members of the LU Community of Scholars but to the executives as well," LU President JoAnn W. Haysbert said. "I hope their time away from their busy schedules and places of business was rewarding because they were able to interact with future and potential employees. Their positive comments about our students were not surprising but confirmation that indeed we have some of the best and brightest students in the great state of Oklahoma."
Members from Oklahoma City's Fortune 500 club were also in attendance. Dick Sias, a member of the elite organization, said he was thoroughly impressed with the LU students he met Friday.
"They are truly a bright bunch of students and I predict a very bright future for each one of them," Sias said. "They seem dedicated, and have a willingness to work hard. And, they all seem to be here [Langston University] because they want to be."
Oscar Jackson, administrator for the Office of Personnel Management and cabinet secretary for Human Resources and Administration with the Governor's Office, said though he is an Oklahoma-native, he has only been to LU's main campus twice. He said his visit on Friday was "refreshingly pleasant."
"The campus is so beautiful," Jackson said. "The students and the president are so sharp and so articulate. It has truly been a wonderful experience."
English education sophomore Javon Brame said he thought the experience was beneficial to both the executives and students who attended. Brame was recently elected vice president of the Student Government Association.
"I think it was very important for these executives to come to our campus today and see for themselves how intelligent, professional, and resourceful we are as a student body," Brame said. "Likewise, it was just as important for us, the students, to meet with them and receive their professional advice, and hopefully in the future, mentorship."
Business management sophomore Kim Holman echoed similar sentiments.
"Langston University has prepared us well for Corporate America," Holman said. "Here, we learn to distinguish ourselves from everyone else and I believe that it showed as we talked with this group of professionals today."
Yvette Walker, director for presentation in the News and Information Center at The Oklahoman, said she appreciated the passion the students exuded about their institution.
"This day of discovery has been amazing," Walker said. "These students are very passionate about their university. When I meet students from other institutions, I don't feel the same passion and enthusiasm. LU has instilled some spark in these students that I believe will take them very far in their professional endeavors."
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Portland Movers
posted 5/22/09 @ 8:23 AM CST
It's great to have an event in which students meet with prominent business people. Both sides can benefit from it and it's a good way to boost student motivation because they see first-hand that success is possible. (Continued…)
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