206 organizations E t i q u e t t e For the past 16 years, Lori Sloan, assistant professor of marketing, hosted an etiquette dinner for her women’s Christian business ethics class. The class spent the semester discussing a Christian woman’s role in the business world. Covering everything from how to protect oneself from sexual harassment to what to wear to a business dinner, the class was preparation for the next step into the workplace. “I think it is important to have every opportunity to expose students to new and different experiences and to help them learn how to maneuver in specific business settings,” Sloan said. The business department took notice of Sloan’s success and asked her to host a dinner open to all students in addition to the one she did for her women’s class. The event took place on Nov. 3 at Ann’s Bridal and Etcetera, where the students enjoyed a five-course meal. Students were served dinner in an effort to teach them the proper way to eat some of the more complicated foods, such as beef brisket, bacon-wrapped asparagus and rolls with butter. Before and after dinner provided an opportunity to mingle and network as one would do in a real business setting. “The dinner gave me an idea of what to expect in the business world,” senior Nicole McNalty said. “We learn about the place settings and the little things, like what to do with your napkin and how to deal with certain situations.” Some thought that even people outside the business major could benefit from these practical pointers surrounding the dining table. “Even students who are not majoring in business should learn the proper dining skills,” senior Natalie Metz said. “It is helpful to know the expectations in business settings.” Throughout the meal, Sloan guided the class by telling them how to politely ask for something across the table, how to avoid awkward or unpleasant situations, such as a hair in the food, and proper social etiquette rules, such as including everyone in the conversation. “I try to open the student’s eyes to new experiences that will equip them for the business world and broaden their circle of influences,” Sloan said. She gave everyone booklets filled with proper dos and don’ts so that students would have something to look back on when they went to dinners and prepared for interviews. “I really appreciate that Mrs. Sloan is open and honest about what she teaches and how she uses her own experiences,” senior Mylah Watkins said. “Her lessons in manners and etiquette reiterated what my grandmother taught me.” While learning proper dinner etiquette as part of a class seemed out of the ordinary, Sloan felt the experience was very practical. “Students remember this more than something they will learn in a classroom,” Sloan said. “The more polished we are, the more opportunities we have to shine the light of Christ.” Kayla Studivan Row 1: T. Boss, B. Woods, R. Klemmer, M. Brown, K. Saegert, L. Jackson. Row 2: M. Inloes, J. Binkley, A. Olree, C. Graham, L. Wilkinson, S. Luo. Row 3: R. Young, R. Patrick, J. Stroud, M. Reese, C. Engel. Row 4: P. Groves, P. Bell, B. Priestley, A. Grieb, D. Gourley, T. Skelley. Row 5: B. Churchman (Sponsor), J. Zern, S. Ramsey, P. Brown (Sponsor). Row 1: R. Brown (Sponsor), J. Turbeville, M. McCormick, A. Henry, C. Burleson, L. Fellers, L. Walker, J. Pigg, L. Velasquez. Row 2: D. Alvarado, J. Adkisson, R. Ragland, A. Carroll, B. Smith, E. Greer, C. Miller. Accounting Society American Marketing Association Students Learn Proper Dining
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