Pardon Our Apparence...

As we continue to develop this blog for the 2009-2010 academic year.

Thanks

Eric Rodrigues
VP of Technology

Meet the Members of the Business Council 2009-2010

President: Emma Kruger

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Senior Vice President: Bobbi Kim

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Secretary: Colleen Koenig

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VP of Public Relations: Anni Ylagan

A senior from Bridgewater, Connecticut. Anni is pursuing a double concentration in Marketing and International Business with hopes of one day working in product management consulting. Anni had the pleasure of studying abroad in Buenos Aires and Hong Kong, where she had the chance to travel throughout South America and Southeast Asia- where she hopes to return upon graduation.






VP of Academic Development: Ariane Grazian

Hello! My name is Ariane Grazian and I am a sophomore. I am from Chicago, but spent all four years of high school boarding in Indiana. As it comes closer to the time for me to pick my major, I am deciding between focusing on Finance or Hospitality. In the future I hope to attend Law School at GW. As an active brother of the amazing Xi Rho Chapter of Delta Sigma Pi fraternity, I am very involved and socially active in the Business School. I am an avid Blackhawks and White Sox fan and rarely miss a game.





VP of Finance: Brandon Novack

Hi, my name is Brandon Novack, and I'm the Vice President of Finance for the Business Council. I'm currently a Senior concentrating in Finance, from Newton, MA. I'm involved in a couple different organizations in the business school, including holding positions as the Senior Vice President of Delta Sigma Pi, and as a mentor in FYDP. I absolutely love traveling and being on the move, and I lived abroad in Barcelona for a semester. In the future, I hope I can find a job that will let me keep up this passion and travel often.






VP of Technology: Eric Rodrigues

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VP of Community Service: Kelcey Herman

Hi, I'm Kelcey Heman and I am a sophomore from Princeton, MA. I want to concentrate in Event Management and Marketing. In the more distant future, I hope to work in PR or as a major event planner, and hopefully attend grad school as well. As a proud member of the Xi Rho chapter of Delta Sigma Pi, I get to be involved in a lot of what goes on in the business school (and have an awesome time doing so!) I am an avid sports fan and can usually be found at the gym or watching a game somewhere (probably a Boston team). I also love to bake and will make pretty much anything you ask for.






VP of Social Activities: Lily Belter

My name is Lily Belter, and I'm a sophomore concentrating in Sport, Event, and Hospitality Management, from Lakeville, CT. Besides serving as the VP of Social Activities on the Business Council this year, I am a proud brother of Delta Sigma Pi, and sister of Alpha Delta Pi. I hope to help get new students, returning students and professors excited about the Business School and the events we have planned for this year.






VP of Career Services: Maria Villaquiran

Hello everyone! My name is Maria Villaquiran and I am originally from Colombia. I love to play tennis, go out on the boat, travel, read, and eat Mediterranean food. I’m kind of obsessed with pandas, elephants, museums, airports and maps. My favorite place in the world is Capri, Italy and I plan to buy a summer house there one day. Fun fact: I spend my birthday in a different city every time. I will celebrate my 20th birthday in Dubai! I plan to get a BBA with a concentration in International Business and a minor in Portuguese. I have no clear plans for the future right now, but I’m thinking I will take the entrepreneurship route.

GWSB Students Participate in Wreaths Across America

The Business Council hosted a community service event prior to Winter Break. Please read below to hear about our experience!



At 7 am on a very cold Saturday morning, a group of GWSB undergraduate students was already on the Metro, but they were not headed to the mall seeking holiday sales. The students, coordinated by the Business Council, were on their way to Arlington National Cemetery, ready to volunteer for Wreaths Across America where they assisted in laying over 10,000 wreaths honoring America’s veterans.

The Wreaths Across America story began 17 years ago when Worcester Wreath Company (a for-profit commercial business located in Harrington, Maine) began a tradition of placing wreaths on the headstones at Arlington National Cemetery during the holidays. Over that period of time, Worcester Wreath has donated 90,000 wreaths, which are placed by volunteers in a wreath-laying ceremony each December. This year, owners Morrill and Laura Worcester donated more than 17,000 wreaths, including the more than 10,000 wreaths that the GWSB students helped place at Arlington. Before volunteers started placing the wreaths in Section 12, they were addressed by James B. Peake, Secretary of Veterans Affairs; John C. Metzler, Superintendent of Arlington National Cemetery; and Morrill and Laura Worcester.

“Wreaths Across America was nothing short of an amazingly patriotic, emotionally moving, and simply delightful experience,” said GWSB junior Clarice Casamina. “The event was a great way to share the holiday season with close friends and represent the appreciation we have as students of GW as well as citizens of the USA.” Sophomore Casey Welch, reflected after placing a wreath on the tombstone of a soldier born in 1892 who fought and died in the Korean War. “As we walked away, I looked back on Section 12, and saw a crowd of about 3000 amid a flood of green wreaths with red bows. It was a beautiful sight and a touching experience that I hope to take part in for many years to come.”

The GW Business Council was established to serve as a facilitating organization that unites all undergraduate student business organizations on campus. The Council is comprised of student leaders that meet to share information about their organizations and foster relationships between undergraduate business organizations and the GW School of Business.

Senior, Christina Johansen volunteers at "Wreaths Across America"

Recap on Events Held in September

Welcome Back Event: Prep for Success

The first Welcome Back Event: Prep for Success for Undergraduate Students was held at The Jack Morton Auditorium on Wednesday, September 10, 2008. Dean Susan Phillips, Associate Dean Larry Singleton and F. David Fowler Career Center, Executive Director, Gil Yancey welcomed undergraduate students to campus for the start of the Fall semester. Yancey introduced the Fowler Career Center's new Rise Above the Rest program and encouraged students to schedule time at the Career Center. Students attending the event also had an opportunity to begin planning for upcoming interviews by learning how to wear the latest fashions. Seven undergraduate students modeled business formal, business casual and after five wear. Patrice Vailes-Macarie, a fashion advisor from Lord & Taylor provided the designs and commentary during the 45-minute show. A reception sponsored by Lehman Brothers was held following the fashion event where students had the opportunity to meet with GWSB alumni and faculty.

Back 2 Business

Back 2 Business, GWSB's annual welcome back student organization fair took place on September 4, 2008 in FedEx Plaza. Hosted by the newly restructured Business Council and Office of Undergraduate Programs, the event featured live music by doctoral student Paul Williams and fun giveaways. Back 2 Business 2008 was cosponsored by Apple, Inc .

Student organizations in attendance included AIESEC; Alpha Kappa Psi; Delta Sigma Pi, whose brothers assisted with the event; GW Finance and Investment Club; GW Women in Business; Minority Business Student Association; School of Business representatives for the Student Association, as well as team leaders from the Mintz Sophomore Getaway and the New York Trip. Additionally, representatives from the GWSB Advising Center, Alumni Programs, Apple Inc., the F. David Fowler Career Center, and the Office of Study Abroad were present to answer student’s questions.

The event was highlighted by faculty participation as well as the remarks given by the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs, Lawrence Singleton, and Dean of the School of Business, Susan Phillips, both of whom emphasized the importance of becoming active in the GWSB community.

Interested in learning more about the GWSB Business Council? Check out our fan page on Facebook or email bcouncil@gwu.edu.

Meet the Members of the Business Council 2008-2009

President: Betsy Smith

Betsy, a senior in the School of Business concentrating in Human Resource Management, has been an active member of the GWSB community since her freshman year. Within the School of Business, she has served as a GWSB Ambassador (3 years), an FYDP Mentor (2 years), has chaired both the Mintz Sophomore Getaway and Back2Business, and has been a member of the Business Council (2 years). In her current position as Co-Curricular Coordinator of Undergraduate Programs, she has had the opportunity to work closely with GWSB faculty and staff and truly understands the inner workings of the School of Business. Betsy is also highly involved in extra-curricular activities and is a proud member of Delta Sigma Pi and GW Women in Business. At several national conferences, Betsy has been inspired by the leadership of Business Councils at other leading universities. She aspires to make the GWSB Business Council a more effective, vital part of the School of Business.

Executive Vice President: Timothy Devlin
The Business Council will be a great opportunity to give back to the GW community, which has served me for the past three years. During my time at GW, I have pursued opportunities within the surrounding community including my current internship as a special events and marketing assistant with the Georgetown Business Improvement District. At this position, I have been responsible for organizing and communicating with various diverse businesses to ensure the success of events within Georgetown. This is no different from the mission of the Business Council, which is to work with unique Business School organizations to ensure their longevity and success. Additionally, I will bring an enhanced understanding regarding the process of running successful events. In Georgetown I have assisted in the planning and creation of multiple events which were both successful and well attended. With this knowledge, I will be able to assist other leaders in creating, advertising and promoting their various events within the School of Business. In closing, I believe my outside perspective will offer a unique insight towards the forming of this important council. As a leader within the Business Council, I would work to establish an effective dialogue between organizations and work to ensure the longevity and effectiveness of this organization.

Secretary/Treasurer: Casey Welch

My name is Casey Welch and I’m a sophomore in the School of Business. The role of the Secretary/Treasurer is to take minutes at every meeting and to monitor the Council’s finances in partnership with Undergraduate Programs. I have previous experience in both aspects of this position. In high school, I was Treasurer of my Class Council. Currently, I am the Secretary/Historian of my pledge class in Delta Sigma Pi, a business fraternity. I am an organized and professional person with a passion for business. I want to make GW’s School of Business a better place to learn and develop. The wants and needs of students have always been a priority of the Council, and I will continue this commitment. I will uphold my record-keeping and financial duties while helping build a strong, solid foundation of the Business Council for years to come.

VP of Community Service: Anne Linneman

As a senior in the business school, I live and love the George Washington University and more specifically our thriving business community. I have been very involved in both as a Colonial Cabinet member, alum of the Elizabeth Somers Women’s Leadership Program, a proud brother of Delta Sigma Pi and an FYDP mentor. Currently, I am the Community Service VP of the Business School Council and couldn’t be more excited to bring professors, students, and administration together for a good cause. My mission is to bring awareness and participation in the local community, country, and world by making community service and philanthropy our business.

VP of Fundraising: Clarice C. Casamina

The GW Business Council offers our business students the opportunity to collaborate not only to better themselves, but The George Washington University School of Business through innovative ideas, entrepreneurial endeavors, and high energy! One of The Business Council’s goals is to provide a true sense of community for the business school students. During my time at GWU, I’ve tried to apply what I’ve learned in class through internships and job opportunities outside of the university. I am currently working in the Marketing Department of a national top 10 B2B Media Company in DC, getting real hands-on experience. I am a proud and active member of Delta Sigma Pi and I am very excited about serving on the Business Council, and even more so, serving as the Fundraising Chair. I look forward to supporting the Business Council in our financial endeavors, and I want to ensure that we present the Business Council to local companies as well as national corporations as best as we can.

VP of Public Relations: Serena Wong

It is imperative that as the GWSB develops, an organization such as the Business Council manages and steers the various groups within the School. As a sophomore, I have been involved with various campus student organizations such as Treasurer of the Chinese American Student Association, alum of the Elizabeth Somers Women's Leadership Program, and brother of Alpha Kappa Psi. As VP of Public Relations, I hope to find innovative and creative ideas to attract students of the Business School to our various events.

VP of Technology: Mike Rossetti

I am a senior concentrating in Information Systems Technology Management and am currently enrolled in the 5-year BBA/MSIST dual degree program. Throughout my past three years at GW, I have been involved in the following organizations/activities: 2007 Colonial Cabinet, FYDP Mentor, Delta Sigma Pi (Business Fraternity), Sigma Phi Epsilon (Social Fraternity), Omicron Delta Kappa (Leadership Honor Society), Order of Omega (Greek Honor Society), Marvin Center Governing Board. I hope to bring all the experiences and perspectives I have gained from my various roles within these groups to my new role on the Business Council. As VP of Technology, I will attempt to use technology to improve the channels of communication between GWSB administrators, student organizations, and students themselves. A steady and significant flow of information between these entities should bring them closer together and make them each more successful. It is my goal that this collaboration and awareness will ultimately increase the sense of community and pride that GWSB students feel towards their school and fellow classmates.

VP of Social Activities: William Morse

My name is William Morse, and I'm a sophomore concentrating in Sport, Event, and Hospitality Management. I'm from St. Charles, IL, and along with the Business Council, I am the President of the West End RAC, a member of College Democrats, and I am in intramural tennis. I have worked as a Student Event planner for Commencement, the Concierge Desk at the Marvin Center, and I have interned at Scannell & Wight consulting all while at GW. Along with many other of my fellow business council members, I have planned many events and we have scheduled many more to look forward to this year.