SCHOOL OF BUSINESS IT program develops new classes; e-commerce minor planned Computer technology has quickly become an integral part of American culture and essential in the business world. The field has grown so quickly that many of its leaders are not formally trained, but continually experiment to develop new software and concepts. However, the demand for technology employees has exploded in the past several years, and colleges are scrambling to develop programs for their students. Harding' sinformation technology program, already a few years old, is growing quickly and bringing in new classes and programs to keep up with the ever-changing times. IT classes are already part of the "business core," aset of47hours required for allstudents in the School"of Business. Business majors are currently required to take IT 101, an introduction to basic business software, and several majors also require an elective in the IT department. Junior marketing major Kelly Dowdy believes the classes are a fundamental part of the business core. "As a marketing major, it has been very helpful to take IT classes, especially web development. because in the marketing field it will be essential for me to use the Internet," she said. 'Tm learning about designing a web page, using [programming language] HTML, Dr. Randy McCleod, dean of the School of Business, holds a departmental meeting. The department met several times during the year. Photo by Daniel Dubois. Looking through their notes, senior Micah Gifford and juniors Kim Rampey and Kia Garner prepare for a business project. Photo by Daniel Dubois. Did You Know... Mark Davis, assistant professor of business, rides a Harley Davidson motorcycle with his wife. He also has been skydiving and bungee jumping. When he gets the opportunity, Davis also enjoys scuba diving. FrontPage and graphics to create a tool for today's business." According to Reet Cronk, director of Harding's IT program, a team-taught ecommerce class will soon be added to the business core curriculum. liE-commerce involves every area of business, so we felt a team-teaching approach would be best," said Cronk. The School of Business also hopes to introduce a minor in e-commerce in the next year. allowing IT students to develop a concentration in the area. In addition to the new e-commerce class and minor, IT students will soon be required to take classes in information systems management and Visual Basic programming. These classes as well as current requirements will give Harding's students the skills they need to succeed in the modern workplace. - Jennifer Thompson Junior Heather Gray models in last fall's American Marketing Association fashion show. All proceeds the organization raised from the show went to charity. Photo by Ric Helms. ~S~ch~~o~o~l~o~f~B~u~s~i~n e~s~s~ ______ ~~ Academics V
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