Career
In the 70s, I was a science major. I took an economics course to fulfill a general education requirement and fell in love with it. Soon thereafter, I changed majors and started taking business courses. By the end of my first marketing class, I knew it would be my career.
Professional Accomplishments
I started my own advertising agency, McConnell Marketing, in 1991. My goal was to grow the business to a point where I could make a nice living without devoting 100% of my waking hours to the business. The goal was met 10 years later, which is when I started teaching.
Teaching Style
Students have described me a half educator and half entertainer… and I don’t mind that at all. I also use social media (i.e., Facebook and Twitter) extensively as teaching tools.
Raider Relief
I’m not a traditional academic researcher, but I have been part of bringing some interesting learning experiences to campus. I’m the unofficial advisor to Raider Relief, a group of students who come up with innovative philanthropy projects at least twice a year.
Best Part of the Job
I LOVE being an advisor… and have yet to say “no” to a student who asks for me to be their faculty advisor. The one-on-one sessions give me opportunities to build authentic relationships with my students.
The Need for Caffeine
I am partial to the Hoover-Price Campus Center mostly because that’s where the B&B Cafe is … and I’m severely coffee addicted.
Students Come First
Some institutions talk the talk about being student centered. At Mount Union, we walk the walk.
Extracurricular Support
We give students the opportunity to grow outside of the classroom by supporting student organizations at a level far beyond expectations. There are 80+ student organizations here, and all are given the institutional support they need to succeed. This gives students leadership opportunities they’d unlikely find elsewhere.