School of Business

Marketing Club students help local businesses while they learn

Joyce Claterbos, business school lecturer in marketing and strategic management and marketing club adviser

KU Marketing Club members put their skills to work for Lawrence businesses. Now in its second year after a long hiatus, the collegiate chapter affiliated with the American Marketing Association will assist local businesses with a marketing audit that includes a questionnaire, report and suggestions.

"It's not the advertising they focus upon. Marketing is a more holistic view, so they are not just trying to increase unit sales, but rather to build a company image. It's much more strategic, more of a long-term perspective," explained Joyce Claterbos, business school lecturer in marketing and strategic management and Marketing Club adviser. "The club is working through the Small Business Development Center to contact businesses. The students interview business people about how they market and then make observations and provide a final report."

There are currently 70 students from all across campus in the Marketing Club. They range from first semester freshmen to seniors. The majority are from the business school, with some from the journalism school and business communications, but "Marketing cuts across a number of disciplines," Claterbos said, "including fine arts as a support activity to advertising, even sociology and psychology. Students may find themselves in any number of jobs that require marketing skills.

"Marketing Club is an opportunity to expand on the classroom with speakers, workshops and additional exposure to marketing projects. It is also a networking tool. Professionals in marketing and KU alumni give presentations and network with students. We are also starting a mentoring program." Read More

Swim Captains join forces in KU Business School

Stacey Schneider, Kristi Misejka and Heidi Landherr. Photo Courtesy KUAC

Their love of water and outstanding leadership first brought them together, but their love of numbers brought them to the business school. The three captains of the KU women's swimming and diving team now push one another to greater achievements in and out of the pool.

Heidi Landherr, Marion, Iowa; Kristi Misejka, Blue Springs, Mo.; and Stacey Schneider, Atchison, Kan., never knew their hobbies and professional interests coincided until they met in Alan Ford's Income Tax class, which all agreed was challenging yet stimulating.

"That was the first class the three of us took together, and we had just become captains," said Landherr, whose best events are the 400-yard individual medley, 200-yard butterfly and 200-yard backstroke. "So it kind of brought us together and we learned each other's style: Stacey flew through the problems. Kristi would still be on problem number one, and I'd be somewhere in the middle."

All three agreed that the hardest aspect of being a student-athlete is time management. "It keeps me busy, and I have to be structured to succeed," said Schneider, who swims the 500-yard, 1,000-yard and mile freestyle events. "I have to know my deadlines. Having a busy schedule keeps me on task."

The three women enjoy taking the road less traveled, though at times it's demanding. "It's difficult, but it's well worth it," said Misejka, who competes in the 1-meter and 3-meter springboard events. "Other athletes may take an easier major, but I feel the opportunities offered to us are so much greater."

Business School publication is a winner

Each year the Accounting and Information Systems (AIS) area of the School of Business produces a magazine, AIS Channels.

The 2002/03 edition of AIS Channels was honored in October at the Topeka Chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Bronze Quill Awards Ceremony. AIS Channels received two Awards of Excellence in the categories of 4-Color Magazine and Writing. Entries are judged by members of other IABC chapters around the country.

Jim Heintz, AIS director and professor of business, said, "Bronze Quill Awards set the standard for excellence in business communications. This is quite a prestigious award in the field of public relations, communications and journalism, and we are very honored."

The publication is mailed to AIS alumni, School of Business and AIS boards of directors, other AACSB-accredited business schools and others. The 2003/04 edition of AIS Channels will be mailed next week.

For more information visit the School of Business website.