Business Week Event

November 23, 2022

The Division of Business Administration celebrated 50 years of service from October 28 through Thursday, November 3.  Various activities brought excitement and learning experiences to the community, students, faculty, and staff.

On October 28, several students, alumni, faculty, and staff kicked off Business Week.  Students presented business pitches and were awarded prizes.  Aja Battiste and Alim Huff were the contestants and received prizes such as a $500 cash prize and an HP laptop.

In the October 31 session at 11:00 a.m. facilitated by Ms. Valerie Warner, students presented business projects created during classes.  The projects included a Tracking System and a Digital Publication Project.  During the 2:00 p.m. session facilitated by Dr. Deloris Y. McBride, Interim Division Chairperson, alumnus Adonis Valdez Melendez presented the importance of LinkedIn and having a professional profile. On Tuesday at 12:30, alumnus Kevin Means presented industry exploration and engaged students in learning about opportunities at SYNNEX and Google.  At 3:30 p.m., students were given information and opportunities relative to Microsoft from Stephanie Britton, Principal Cloud Solution Architect - CTO. 

On Wednesday at 11:00 a.m., alumni shared their Morris College academic experiences, the impact of learning at the institution, and their success stories during a session hosted by Dr. James Ibe, Professor of Business Administration.  Later, faculty, staff, students, and Business Advisory Council met to have a conversation about the business program enhancement.  Later, students engaged in a Financial Aid workshop hosted by Dr. Deloris Wallace-Brown, Director of the Organizational Management Program, and Ms. Abby Lawson – HR Director at Morris College shared information and opportunities to prepare students for their financial needs. Mr. Terrance McCants, Library Cataloger, engaged students in a Professional Forum that identified the proper attire when interviewing and the importance of developing a digital portfolio. At 6:00 p.m., students pitched business ideas in a session hosted by Mr.  Archie Torain, Delta Mu Delta President.  First place winner was A’Yonna Young, the second-place winner was Javier King, and third place winner was Alim Huff.

In its annual Business Week Assembly, Mr. Michael Corps, Vice-President of the U.S. Small Business Administration, shared information about a strategic business alliance between the SBA and Morris College.  Ms. Erica Williams - Manager, Communications & Strategic Initiatives, Sumter Economic Development Board, and assembly speaker and Business Administration Council member, expounded on the theme, The Past, Present, and Future.  Ms. Williams recounted that Morris College has a rich history of 114 years and the Division of Business Administration celebrates 50 years of producing students who now cover not only South Carolina but many states. She offered several challenges to the audience, using the Month of November:  We should say no to compromise, complaints, and comparison.  She also stated that we should know our vision, virtue, and worth.  Ms. Williams emphasized the value of keeping our graduates in Sumter to ensure the development of our county. The Business Week concluded with students participating in a career fair.  Several businesses participated in the career fair and offered opportunities for our business students, SKF, SAFE Federal Credit Union, and UBI.

The Division of Business Administration programs at Morris College are accredited by Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).