Business Instructors Attend National Convention
(Press Release 5-03-04)
Hank Mooney, Office of Public Information

Submitted Story & Photo

Chicago was the site of the 2004 National Business Education Association Convention, “Educating for Success in Business and Life.” Eastern business faculty attending were Judy McCullough, Chair, Business Administration Department, Linda Morgan, Chair Administrative Office Technology Department and Kay Langham, Chair, Division of Business.

The convention provided opportunities to connect with colleagues and learn about the issues and trends that impact business education and students’ futures. Computer workshops provided hands-on training with emphasis on a variety of important, practical applications. Concurrent sessions addressed such important topics as best practices in business education, technology advances, ethics, classroom management, business etiquette, and oneline instruction.

Kathrine Switzer, best known as the woman who challenged the all-male tradition of the Boston Marathon and became the fist woman to officially enter and run in the event, was opening session keynote speaker. Her entry created worldwide notoriety when a race official tried to forcibly remove her from the competition. Three decades later, the incident continues to capture the public imagination and is, in part, the reason Switzer has dedicated her multi-faceted career to creating opportunities on all fronts for women.

Anne F. Beiler, founder and chief executive officer of Auntie Anne’s, Inc., was keynote for the second general session. Raised in an Amish-Mennonite family in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Beiler was introduced to the idea of entrepreneurship at a young age. In 1987, she began twisting pretzels as a manager of a concession stand in a Maryland farmer’s market. In February 1988, Beiler christened her store Auntie Anne’s Hand-Rolled Soft Pretzels®. The popularity of the product grew and she began franchising her pretzel business in early 1989. Today, there are more than 800 locations worldwide.

The educators also visited the NBEA trade show and viewed the latest technology, textbooks, and resources.