• Recent News
• 2011
• ACU Videos
• News Archive

ACU students gain insights into business during Leadership Summit

Exactly one hundred Abilene Christian students spent the week gaining Christian insight from top international business leaders during Leadership Summit 2008. During the class, students developed personal mission statements and their five-year action plans while spending the week in Frontier Ranch, Colo.

"Leadership Summit really encouraged me to be bold in my faith and reminded me of my ultimate mission as a businessman," said Matthew Sullivan, senior business management major from Abilene. "I learned valuable lessons on how to be a Christian leader in the workplace, my family, and every arena of life. That week will definitely be one of the most memorable experiences I had during my college years."

During Leadership Summit students heard from guest speakers like John Aden, Wal-Mart senior vice president of international operations and Gary Skidmore, president of Harte-Hanks Direct Marketing, a top global direct and targeted marketing solutions provider. Charlie Paparelli, president and founder of Paparelli Ventures, a pre-formation investment company focused on entrepreneurs in the Atlanta technology market, also spoke.

Senior Vice President Wal-Mart Global Ethics Officer Gary Hill made a surprise appearance at the retreat to speak with students about taking an ethical stance in the workplace. Hill’s lecture allowed students to break down individual barriers on the first day and participate like never before, said Mike Winegeart, assistant professor of international business and director of the Leadership Summit program.

Leadership Summit is a three-credit hour course offered to all ACU students. During the week guest speakers live, advise and worship with ACU students. Students gain the skills to equip them for leadership in the family, church and workplace.

"This week has taught me a lot of things about myself," said Deidre Montgomery, senior business management major from Irving. "I saw business in a new perspective, and I realized that Christian leadership can and does exist in corporate America and the business world."

During the week, other speakers included Jack and Ginger Graham. Jack has 30 years of experience in the reinsurance and insurance industries, including founding ICAT Holdings and working 21 years with E. W. Blanch Co. Ginger is a public speaker, health care consultant, president and CEO of Two Trees Consulting.

Mike Haley also shared his experiences as a nationally known evangelist, public speaker and author with the Colorado-based Focus on the Family. ACU's Dr. Richard Lytle, professor and dean of the College of Business Administration, Jim Porter, entrepreneur-in-residence, and Tim Johnston, executive director of the ACU Career Center also facilitated lectures.

Leadership Summit is sponsored by ACU's College of Business Administration (COBA). Summit 2009 is scheduled for Jan. 3-9. For more information on Leadership Summit and COBA visit their website.