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Ruben Urquiza is an efficient guy. Or rather, he likes executing tasks in a logistical manner so that the end goal is met in an efficient and effective way. This summer, the international business major from Westminster, South Carolina, is fine tuning his logistics and efficiency skills with an internship at Mercedes-Bens Vans in North Charleston, S.C. Read full story here »
The College of Charleston School of Business recently hosted a fireside chat with local businessman Tommy Baker and retired vice president and general manager of Boeing South Carolina Jack Jones during the Fifth-Annual Tommy Baker Entrepreneurship Hour.
At this year’s event, hosted by the business school’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Carter Real Estate Center, Baker interviewed Jones in a sit-down that highlighted his professional journey, as well as his time at the Boeing South Carolina site.
The Tommy Baker Entrepreneurship Hour is named after the well-known Charleston philanthropist, owner and president of Baker Motor Company. The annual event seeks to connect budding and seasoned entrepreneurs alike on hot topics in the industry. A prominent figure at the School of Business, Baker taught a senior-level entrepreneurship class at the College for 22 years before retiring from instructing in 2013. He currently serves on the School’s Board of Governors where he’s been a member for more than 20 years.
“Here at the School of Business, our close ties to the business community allow us to host some of the most distinguished business leaders, such as Jack Jones,” says Alan T. Shao, dean of the School of Business. “During the span of his career, Jack has established himself as an outstanding global business leader, one that our students can look to as a source of inspiration.”
A retired VP and general manager of Boeing South Carolina, Jones oversaw Boeing’s operations and facilities in North Charleston before retiring in 2015.
Prior to joining the Boeing South Carolina team in March 2011, Jones served as vice president of its Everett Delivery Center, overseeing Airplane-on-Ground, Paint, Pre-Flight and Delivery operations for the Boeing wide-body models (747, 767, 777 and 787) assembled in Everett, Wash.
left to right: Tommy Baker; Chad Ross ’18; Jack Jones; and David Wyman, Ph.D.
Jones’ history with Boeing spanned many years. The ops expert began his career with the company as an industrial engineer in 1980 on the 757 Program. He spent time working on several commercial and military programs, including B-2 Stealth Bomber and Air Force One prior to his assignment in Everett.
The Entrepreneurship Hour also included its annual one-minute elevator pitch competition, featuring the finalists for the 2018 Student Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Biology major and entrepreneurship minor Chad Ross ’18 won the $1,000 prize for his business pitch on Chuck Waters Apparel—a clothing line dedicated to providing simple and comfortable clothing while donating proceeds to vulnerable communities everywhere.
Williams speaking to the Stuart M. Williams Impact Scholars
According to Stuart Williams, impact entrepreneur-in-residence at the College of Charleston School of Business, he doesn’t have an “off” switch.
“My brain never shuts down because I’m always thinking about the many things that need to be fixed in the world,” says Williams, founder of impact ecosystems architecture firm, In Place Impact.
But it’s not just the problems of the planet that keep his mind abuzz; it’s their potential solutions as well.
Williams has dedicated a large portion of his professional life to impact entrepreneurship — or, making a difference through profit-based initiatives — and has created a program at the School of Business to inspire the next generation of innovators and problem solvers.
The Stuart M. Williams Impact Scholars program, which officially launched this fall, is designed to provide seven exceptional undergraduate students with the guidance, resources and network to tackle some of the most pressing issues of the 21st century.
“There are so many young people who are truly passionate about affecting change in the best way possible,” says Williams. “I want to give as many students as I can the opportunity to make those dreams a reality.”
Participants in the program have the chance to sharpen their skills through professional development, roundtable dinners, internships and tours of local impact businesses. The Scholars also meet weekly with Williams as well as other mentors and advisors, including Professor David Wyman, Professor Lancie Affonso and MBA candidate Kelly Muxworthy to discuss their respective impact projects.
The 2017 Stuart M. Williams Impact Scholars are Latosha Andrade, Mya Belden, Carlie Christenson, Kionnie Epps, Catherine Hill, Sofia Troya and Brandon Williams.
The impressive inaugural cohort, which was selected after a rigorous application and 
interview process, is comprised of freshmen and juniors from a diverse range of disciplines, including business, public health, political science and criminal justice.
Some of the young innovators have already launched exceedingly successful businesses, says Williams. All of them have incredible personal stories and achievements: one student carried more than 50 credits into college from high school; one came all the way from Ecuador to learn how to solve the problems in her country; and, one spent more than five years serving in the military.
Students in the program are looking to take on various social and economic issues such as eradicating poverty, improving supply chain sustainability in the coffee industry and ensuring quality primary school education for children.
“It’s all about impacting in a way that is fulfilling for you,” Williams told students at one of their first meetings.
What seems to fulfill Williams is ensuring that the School of Business is properly positioned to become one of the nation’s leading academic institutions offering impact studies.
Williams is a noticeable presence at the school, not only through his new scholars program but also through the ICAT program and the Center for Entrepreneurship. He has also successfully helped the School integrate impact studies into many of its classes.
The business school was honored to have Williams join its board of governors this year. “We owe a great deal to Stuart here at the School of Business and are thrilled he has joined our Board,” says Alan T. Shao, dean of the School of Business. “His passion for impact studies paired with his commitment to further the strategic goals of this institution have paved the way for our students to become the socially and environmentally responsible business leaders of tomorrow.”
With no “off” switch in sight for Williams and the students he continues to inspire, it’s safe to say the biggest impact is yet to come.
On any given day, the School of Business is bustling with students, faculty and staff who work hard to sustain its mission — to educate socially responsible graduates through practical undergraduate, graduate and professional programs.
But as the halls of the Beatty Center quiet down for the Thanksgiving holiday, the School would like to take the time to reflect and give thanks for a few things that make mean a lot to us.
1. Our esteemed faculty
Our faculty work each day to provide students with the tools and skills needed to become socially responsible business professionals. When they’re not molding young minds in Charleston, many of our faculty can be found abroad doing research and teaching. In fact, the College of Charleston School of Business ranks No. 1 in the world among universities for having the most Certified Global Business Professionals (CGBP). By providing experiential learning opportunities for students and through their cutting-edge research in the business field, it is safe to say that our professors are as good as it gets.
2. Our Student Success Center
With the goal of helping our students successfully transition from the classroom to the boardroom, the Student Success Center (SSC) at the School of Business helps to ensure that students are on track to succeed academically and professionally. From scholarships to internships and study abroad opportunities, the SSC is a vital resource to any business student. By offering student services such as advising, suit valet and career and professional development, it’s no secret that the academic and professional careers of business students matters to the SSC.
3. Our donors
Those who give to the School of Business both of their time and donations are a huge part of what makes this School so great. The support of these individuals enables our faculty and staff the opportunity to prepare our students for the real world. Due to their generosity, the business school has been able to launch new programs, support study abroad and establish several new scholarships. What makes us even more proud is that many of our donors are current and former Cougars. To join the ranks of our big-hearted benefactors, please visit our giving page.
4. Our one-year MBA program
The School of Business is home to a world-class, one-year MBA program prepares the next wave of global business leaders. Inside the classroom, students are developing the skills to innovative, communicate and lead — and will continue to build on those skills to create solutions that meet the needs of the business community. Outside of the classroom, the MBA cohort is gaining insights from industry leaders through the executive mentorship program. Job placements for graduates three months after graduation has consistently been 95 percent and higher. A dynamic and rigorous program, the one-year MBA at the School of Business is a game changer, and we are thankful for it.
5. Our ready-to-work students
Finally, we would be remiss not to mention our students on this list. With more than 2,000 undergraduate students and 63 graduate students, the School of Business is one of the largest schools at the College, representing nearly a quarter of its population. The top states our students hail from include New Jersey, New York and North Carolina. Outside of the U.S., full-time students come from Canada, Bermuda and the United Kingdom. Our business students are continually sharpening their tools to become successful professionals. Many are making strides in their academic and professional careers through outstanding academic performances, leadership positions and entrepreneurial endeavors. Keep up the amazing work!