Seniors Josh Sellers and Laura Doyle take notes during a lecture in Ridgedale, Missouri, Oct. 6, 2019. The students heard lecturesfrom Dr. Allen Frazier, dean ofthe College ofBusiness Administration, and many business alumni. I photo courtesy of Allen Frazier Dr. Allen Frazier, dean of the College ofBusiness Administration, speaks during a session at the conference Oct. 6, 2019, in Ridgedale, Missouri. The students learned about leadership and the influence they had on those around them at the seminar. I photo courtesy of Allen Frazier Faculty-selected business students attended a leadership seminar to learn about the integration offaith and business. A group of 29 students and faculty from the College of Business Administration (COBA) spent five days in Ridgedale, Missouri, at Big Cedar Lodge in October 2019. Their time at the lodge was used for a retreat that counted as a three-hour course credit for participating students. In spring 2019, COBA students were nominated by faculty members to enroll in the class based on various merits, including good grades, leadership skills, and positive relationships with teachers and peers. Over summer 2019, the students read four books in preparation for the fall 2019 class. The group spent the weekend hearing Harding alumni share experiences as Christians in the professional world. The students networked in intimate professional settings and participated in group activities. "I don't script any of the speakers," Dr. Allen Frazier, dean of COBA, said. "[But], there are some common themes that they all touched on, and I think that's one of the cool things. These alumni who are all seeking to be Christian professionals have all done it miles apart, have been in the industry 20 to 30 years, and yet are all saying very close to the same things." Senior marketing major Sara Anne Brown said she struggled to identify one speaker as her favorite because of the way they each complemented one another. Brown said there was one message that stood out to her most. "Knowing who you're going to be before you get thrown into situations where you'll be expected to act a certain way [was a message I took away from the retreat]," Brown said. "They really encouraged us to figure out who we were at the end of the day, before those morals would be tested." Senior marketing major Taylor Sexton participated in the class in fall 2018. She returned from the weekend retreat with a new perspective on effective leadership. "So much of being a leader involves service to others," Sexton said. "You don't usually think of it that way. Traditionally, you think of a leader as someone who sits at the top. But, realistically, a good leader puts themselves last and puts serving others first." story by Everett Kirkman academics 95
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