MIS 2200 Student Voice: Huntsman School of Business Culture

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.” This was stated by John Quincy Adams and clearly describes the caliber of mentors found at the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business.

I keep a program of the 2010 Annual Awards Banquet tucked safely in my bedroom desk drawer. It serves as a reminder of an almost surreal taste of what the world should be like. It was at this banquet that I was able to very closely observe what sets these mentors apart from the cold image that often accompanies business. I have discovered a distinguished cu

lture that defines the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business; a culture in which I hope to become deeply involved. It is a culture that emanates from Mr. Huntsman and from the many respected professors who have become such for all the right reasons.

At the banquet I intently listened and observed as Mr. Huntsman spoke. Almost embarrassedly he referred to a portrait that hangs in the lobby of the business building. “Anyone who has a portrait of himself is not the type of person you want to know.” He recounted inspiring stories emphasizing values that are all too often set aside but which are essential in the business world -- values that make up the culture present at USU.

As he left the room with several of his family and staff members, he paused a slight moment. It was this moment that encouraged me to “dream more, learn more, do more, and become more”. This moment did more to vindicate his personal integrity and selfless leadership than the dozens of inspiring stories I had heard. As this respected and successful man approached the door he humbly slowed his steps, turned to his dear wife, and extended his arm for her to walk through the doorway ahead of him. I began to more fully grasp what makes up the culture that is so defining in the Huntsman School of Business.

This culture lies within the CPA who leaves his firm to become a full-time accounting professor and inspire an indecisive student to select a major that he comes to love. This culture lies within the successful entrepreneur who handed that sophomore accounting student his card and said, “When you need a job, give me a call.” This culture lies within the millionaire businessman who couldn’t speak highly enough of the accounting profession and asked multiple times for that student’s resume. This culture lies within a distinguished family of alumni and students. This culture is what inspires me to “Dare Mighty Things”.

Michael Hendricks, Huntsman student