USU DEX Students win Internationally

ATLANTA – Utah State University Delta Epsilon Chi members bring home 1st and 2nd place from the International Career Development Conference. Julia Roberts, junior in pre-medical biology, took 2nd in marketing management and JP Parrish, junior in public relations, placed 1st in retail management.

This four day international conference took place in Atlanta, Ga. Utah State students took part in leadership development seminars and exercised practical application of their marketing and management skills through role plays and case studies.

Students Competed in events such as Hospitality to Advertising Campaign. There are 18 events in total. The Judge in each of these events takes the  role of a professional while the student presents a solution to a case they have been given or prepared beforehand. Some events are accompanied by 100 question competency tests while others take months of preparation. Entrepreneurship event participants present a business plan to the judge as if they were asking for financial support.

Each event provides students an innovative and unique way to gain real world business experience. The organization offers many real life experiences in competition as well as in leadership. Many businesses recognize this value and make it a point to hire these excellently prepared students.

Delta Epsilon Chi is the college division of DECA Inc. More than 14,000 students from 230 college campuses participate in the organization. The institutions include community colleges, technical colleges, four–year colleges and universities.

 
Delta Epsilon Chi enhances the student's college experience by providing recognition and leadership activities directly related to academic study. Delta Epsilon Chi focuses on developing leaders in marketing, management, and entrepreneurship.

For more information on Utah’s Delta Epsilon Chi, contact the state advisor Curtis Youngman at Curtis.youngman@slcc.edu or JP Parrish, communications VP, at JP-DEX@hotmail.com.

Utah Delta Epsilon Chi Letter Proposal

Part One: Executive Summary

Utah Delta Epsilon Chi provides valuable and practical experience to college and university students across the state of Utah and needs to raise $3,000 for each of our two development conferences in October and February. We are asking companies of interest for financial support for our 2008-2009 school year. We provide an atmosphere of learning through experience. We have an excellent program that has lasted for over 30 years. With financial support, we can provide more students the experience they need for the workplace by stimulating membership with lower fees and registration costs. Additional programs may be implemented. Utah Delta Epsilon Chi has pressed forward for years with financial support from the state marketing association, boards of education, and donors both commercial and private. Our plan includes detailed training materials to be implemented for the 2008-2009 school year. Our news state president was recognized as the Utah Delta Epsilon Chi Leadership award, a prestigious award given only to the best of our students. This award is not given out if the candidates do not measure up. This is the caliber of student we are looking forward to. With a sponsor for this award, we can help you and other companies recognize the prestige. Endorsement from Utah companies can help build clout and meaning to such an award. This is another way to help support us financially.

Part Two: Sponsor Appeal

We have considers Franklin Covey as a potential contributor because of the current business relationship we have forged. You have partnered with us to conduct our annual Chapter Officer Leadership Academy (COLA) at our 2008 Fall Leadership Conference to be held in Ogden, Utah, at the Ogden Marriott. We value the principles that your company runs by. Our organization’s purpose is to train and prepare students for the business world which they are expected to enter. Experience that we can offer gives students a significant step forward in the career field.

Part Three: Problem

The economy has suffered in the past year and the need for the most experienced employees is heightened. Only the best ought to be working in positions in your company. We, as a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, have great need of financial support. Membership is down due to high costs. Our conferences cost us between four and five thousand dollars each, making it difficult for students to attend. We require a registration fee to help offset these costs; however, this is not enough.

Part Four: Solution

With financial support from your company and others in the Greater Salt Lake area, we plan to reduce the students’ registration fees to encourage growth in the organization. This allows for more to participate and our organization to continue producing experienced leaders to work in various industries.

Part Five: Capabilities

A real benefit to YOU is that you would get a good first hand look at the competent, capable and confident students participating in Utah Delta Epsilon Chi (DEX). This benefit certainly enhances YOUR recruiting process. You are invited to distribute company brochures and materials with our conference participants.

We hold two conferences during the year: our Fall Leadership Conference (FLC) in October allows students to participate in leadership seminars and workshops and our State Career Development Conference (SCDC) held in February. Students compete at these conferences in marketing/management/entrepreneurship events with other students from around the state. State winners are invited to participate in our International Career Development Conference (ICDC) in April/May.

Part Six: Budget

Donations

Conference Sponsor $3,000.00

Event Sponsor (reception/meal) $1,500.00

Event Sponsor (Training or Competitive Event) $1,050.00

COLA Luncheon (during Fall Leadership Conference) $ 800.00

Leadership Award Sponsor $50 on up

Part Seven: Conclusion

The contributions to our professional organization are a tax-deductible donation for your company. The various pre-conference promotional materials will be distributed to students, faculty and many of the administrators at the nine (9) institutions. This puts your name in front of our DEX students and the support system at our educational institutions. It also presents your name to the various marketing, management and entrepreneurship faculty and college/university administration throughout the state as a strong supporter to our professional student organization.

DEX Student Demographics

Internationally there are 14,000 postsecondary Delta Epsilon Chi (DEX) members with some 240-270 students represented in the State of Utah. The gender distinction varies, but it is close to a 60 female/40 male ratio. Utah currently has nine active chapters:

• Utah State University
• Utah Valley State College
• Weber State University
• Snow College
• University of Utah
• College of Eastern Utah
• Salt Lake Community College
• Southern Utah University
• Dixie State College

Typically, DEX students (varying in age from 19-50 +) are enthusiastic and dedicated students, mainly focusing on their career in business marketing, management, sales and entrepreneurship. These students are not only concerned with learning the skills and concepts in the classroom, but are keenly aware of the valuable experience in applying those skills in a real or simulated experience that offered by DEX. Most of these students receive national “Outstanding Student” recognition throughout the school year. Please contact the State Advisor at Curtis.Youngman@slcc.edu.

Photo student like puppies

Published Originally in the Utah Statesman on Mar. 26, 2008

By JP Parrish
Staff Writer

Danna Lee Ballard

Sophomore

Photography

Utah Statesman: Why did you decide to come to Utah State?
Danna Lee Ballard: My brother goes here and my boyfriend goes here and Noel and Ben, my entourage goes here. I really didn’t look into the school. I just knew really cool people and they said it was fun.

US: Why did you choose your major?
DB: Because math didn’t sound like something I would be into, science didn’t sound so good and photography is fun. I figured I might as well major in something I like.

US: Which of your classes appeals to you most?
DB: Photo classes and all art classes. I took a ceramics class this semester and it just blew me away how much fun it is. It’s probably one of my favorite classes I’ve taken up here.

US: What career do you see yourself working in?
DB: I’d love to do lifestyle commercial photography. I’d love to do documentary photography.

US: If you had a million dollars right now, what would you do with it?
DB: I’d go to Café Rio, and then I would go to DI (Deseret Industries) and buy a bike. I’d pay off utilities, pay off my tuition, and pay of my fees so I could check out books at the library. I’d buy a puppy for sure. I can’t afford one now. Those are small things. A million dollars is a lot more money than a puppy. Let’s just say I would spend it on my friends and make sure we have a good summer.

US: What is your favorite thing to do on campus?
DB: I like to long board on campus and I love the free movies on campus and I like to eat food on campus. I love hanging out with friends.

US: What is the longest distance you have to walk between classes on campus?
DB: Not very far. From the Fine Arts building to the Engineering building. Sometimes when I have an hour before class I like to just walk around campus and walk around the neighborhoods.

US: If you had six hours to do anything you wanted, what would you do?
DB: Go to Café Rio and buy a puppy. Play volleyball because it’s nice weather.

US: If you could have a superpower, what would it be and what would you do with it?
DB: I’d probably just like to fly around or like in the new movie ‘Jumper’ where they can just move around wherever they want. I like to travel. I could go places

US: What is your favorite Disney movie? Why?
DB: The Little Mermaid. I don’t know why. It just connected. I have every song memorized and I’ve seen it more times than any other movie. It’s still on my top five movies ever.

US: Who is the most scary or evil cartoon villain from your childhood?
DB: Ren and Stimpy just freaked me out. I would try and watch that show and it was just so weird and gross. I never got it.

US: What is the most exotic or distant place you’ve been?
DB: Goah, India. It’s on the outskirts of northern India. It’s just total beach town and farm town. It was awesome. Lots of hippies and fresh juice.

US: Do you know who you are going to vote for this election?
DB: Ron Paul. If he stays in the elections, I’m definitely voting for him. I encourage everyone who thinks he can’t win and who’s voting for someone else to vote for him because if we all band together. Revolution.

US: Who is your favorite teacher?
DB: Mark Duncan in the photo department. He is hilarious. He’s the only person I’ve met that can make a history class entertaining. He’s really good.

–j.p@aggiemail.usu.edu

Mormon Acronyms

Published Originally in the Utah Statesman on Mar. 26, 2008; Online at Utah Statesman.

Complied by JP Parrish
Staff Writer

 

FHE - Family Home Evening, an activity that usually takes place Monday nights and is meant to strengthen family and friend relationships.

YW - Young Women's, LDS girls from ages 12-18

YM - Young Men's, LDS boys from ages 12-18

Mission - 19-year-old boys or older spend two years proselyting their religion and pay to do it.

RM - Returned Missionary

BOM - Book of Mormon, a book of LDS scripture

Triple combination - The Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price

The Quad - The four standard works of scripture the LDS Church uses: Old Testament, New Testament, the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants including the Pearl of Great Price

Stake Center - A meetinghouse larger than average churches that holds offices for the church stake leadership

Preemie - A young man who has not yet served two years as a missionary but intends to

Tute - Short for the LDS Institute of Religion

PPI - Personal Priesthood Interview

EFY - Especially for Youth, a summer week-long program meant to spiritually strengthen church youth 

CTR - Choose the Right

MTC - Missionary Training Center

CES - Church Educational System

"Ensign" - Monthly church publication with prophetic teachings and inspirational stories

RS - Relief Society, a group for LDS women 18 and older

DI - Deseret Industries, which is like Goodwill

The Brethren - Reference to the Quorum of the 12 apostles and the first presidency, members of church leadership

D&C - Doctrine and Covenants

MoTab - Mormon Tabernacle Choir

WoW - Word of Wisdom

P-day - Preparation day for missionaries to do laundry and take a day to relax.

IMA - Institute Men's Association (primarily for student singles between ages 18-30)

IWA - Institute Women's Association (primarily for student singles between ages 18-30)

MSA - Married Student Association (primarily for married students between ages 18-30

VT - Visiting Teaching - Pairs of women visit women in their ward for fellowship and spiritual strength

HT - Home Teaching  - Pairs of men visit families in their ward for fellowship and spiritual strength

8-cow-woman - Reference to "Johnny Lingo," a BYU movie in which a tribal tradition of 'buying' a bride with cows. Two or three is normal, but Johnny Lingo paid eight for a girl who had been ridiculed as plain. Lingo saw inner beauty and offered eight cows. She then was able to become beautiful outwardly with her self-confidence.

Delta Epsilon Chi Proposal Letter Draft

Part One: Summary

Utah Delta Epsilon Chi provides valuable and practical experience to college and university students across the state of Utah and needs to raise $5,000 for each of our two development conferences in October and February. We are asking companies of interest for financial support for our 2008-2009 school year.

Part Two: Sponsor Appeal

We have considers Franklin Covey as a potential contributor because of the current business relationship we have forged. You have partnered with us to conduct our annual Chapter Officer Leadership Academy (COLA) at our 2008 Fall Leadership Conference to be held in Ogden, Utah, at the Ogden Marriott. We value the principles that your company runs by. Our organization’s purpose is to train and prepare students for the business world which they are expected to enter. Experience that we can offer gives students a significant step forward in the career field.

Part Three: Problem

The economy has suffered in the past year and the need for the most experienced employees is heightened. Only the best ought to be working in positions in your company. We, as a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, have great need of financial support. Membership is down due to high costs. Our conferences cost us between four and five thousand dollars each, making it difficult for students to attend. We require a registration fee to help offset these costs; however, this is not enough.

Part Four: Solution

With financial support from your company and others in the Greater Salt Lake area, we plan to reduce the students’ registration fees to encourage growth in the organization. This allows for more to participate and our organization to continue producing experienced leaders to work in various industries.

Part Five: Capabilities

A real benefit to YOU is that you would get a good first hand look at the competent, capable and confident students participating in Utah Delta Epsilon Chi (DEX). This benefit certainly enhances YOUR recruiting process. You are invited to distribute company brochures and materials with our conference participants.

We hold two conferences during the year: our Fall Leadership Conference (FLC) in October allows students to participate in leadership seminars and workshops and our State Career Development Conference (SCDC) held in February. Students compete at these conferences in marketing/management/entrepreneurship events with other students from around the state. State winners are invited to participate in our International Career Development Conference (ICDC) in April/May.

Part Six: Budget

Donations

Conference Sponsor $3,000.00

Event Sponsor (reception/meal) $1,500.00

Event Sponsor (Training or Competitive Event) $1,050.00

COLA Luncheon (during Fall Leadership Conference) $ 800.00

Recruitment Campaign Your Choice ($50 min.)

Part Seven: Conclusion

The contributions to our professional organization are a tax-deductible donation for your company. The various pre-conference promotional materials will be distributed to students, faculty and many of the administrators at the nine (9) institutions. This puts your name in front of our DEX students and the support system at our educational institutions. It also presents your name to the various marketing, management and entrepreneurship faculty and college/university administration throughout the state as a strong supporter to our professional student organization.

DEX Student Demographics

Internationally there are 14,000 postsecondary Delta Epsilon Chi (DEX) members with some 240-270 students represented in the State of Utah. The gender distinction varies, but it is close to a 60 female/40 male ratio. Utah currently has nine active chapters:

Utah State University

Utah Valley State College

Weber State University

Snow College

University of Utah

College of Eastern Utah

Salt Lake Community College

Southern Utah University

Dixie State College

Typically, DEX students (varying in age from 19-50 +) are enthusiastic and dedicated students, mainly focusing on their career in business marketing, management, sales and entrepreneurship. These students are not only concerned with learning the skills and concepts in the classroom, but are keenly aware of the valuable experience in applying those skills in a real or simulated experience that offered by DEX. Most of these students receive national “Outstanding Student” recognition throughout the school year. Please contact the State Advisor at Curtis.Youngman@slcc.edu.

PBL

Published Originally in the Utah Statesman on Mar. 26, 2008; Online at Utah Statesman.

By JP Parrish
Staff Writer

 

OGDEN, UT --Business students from across the state of Utah applied their education in role-play situations and competency tests at the Utah Phi Beta Lambda State Conference Thursday, where seven USU students placed in first or second in different events, qualifying them for the National Leadership Conference in Atlanta, GA.

The state conference, this year held at the Ogden Eccles Conference Center, tests and recognizes members’ skills.

In PBL, students compete in events ranging from accounting principles to Web site development. The PBL national Web site states competitive events fall into three categories: individual, team and chapter. Individual and team events focus on skills useful in leadership and career development, and chapter events recognize overall achievement and performance in chapter management and growth.

“We have a total of 30 members,” said Paige Geslin, USU PBL adviser. “Our chapter won first place in the Largest Increase in Chapter Membership for the 2007-2008 school year.”

David Alder, junior in accounting; Kada Carlisle, junior in speech communication; James Hillstead, senior in finance and economics; Daren Larsen, junior in accounting and economics; Teresa Palacios, senior in business administration and human resources; JP Parrish, junior in public relations; and Tyler Smith, senior in managerial economics, qualified for the national competitions in Atlanta.

“We have an excellent group of students representing Utah State University for the PBL Nationals in Atlanta,” Geslin said. “Last year, the combined chapters from Utah placed more students in the top 10 finishers than any other state.”

According to PBL guidelines, each state may take two members in each event. A student may only compete in two events. Utah will fill all of the events with the highest ranking competitor attending, allowing the most opportunity for career building and valuable experience.

PBL’s mission statement states they strive to bring business and education together in a positive working relationship through innovative leadership and career development programs. FBLA-PBL is the largest business career student organization in the world. Future Business Leaders of America is the high school division of PBL. FBLA-PBL’s National Awards Program recognizes and rewards excellence in a broad range of business and career-related areas, the FBLA-PBL Web site states.

To get involved with USU’s PBL chapter, contact Geslin at paige.geslin@usu.edu or 797-2272. 
–j.p@aggiemail.usu.edu

Chinese student likes ‘Gone with the Wind’

Published Originally in the Utah Statesman on Mar. 26, 2008; Online at Utah Statesman.

By JP Parrish
Staff Writer

Yan Guo

doctorate program

Sociology

Utah Statesman: Where are you from?
Yan Guo: China, the southern part.

US: How did you choose Utah State, of all places, to study?
YG: Their research. My research background I had in China matches up real well.

 

US: How, financially, are you able to be here?
YG: They waive tuition basically by working, being an instructor or research assistant.

US: How long have you been here?
YG: This is my fourth year

 

US: What is your favorite kind of food?
YG: I guess Chinese food. You don’t get a lot of authentic food here.

US: What is the most fun you’ve had on a weekend?
YG: I guess you can do a lot of things if you’re an outdoors person. I guess you could have a lot of fun. I like to ski. I don’t go often but I like it a lot. I like hiking, going to the canyons. I enjoy the view. Hiking with friends and doing fun outdoor activities. I love it.

 

US: How did you spend your Spring Break?
YG: Well, actually, working.

US: Who is your personal hero?
YG: Well, I haven’t really thought about that question. The person can change over time. I admire the prime minister of China. He has an open mind. He’s not corrupted. He has taken care of a lot of people during our 10 years cultural revolution. A lot of families suffered during that era, and he was the one to take care of people during that era.

 

US: If you had a super power, what would it be and what would you do with it?
YG: It’s kind of cliché, but I would really want every child to be healthy and have enough to eat. So they can have their basic human rights: to go to school, to be taken care of medically.

US: What is the weather like in China?
YG: It has distinct four seasons. I love it.

 

US: What is one of your favorite movies?
YG: “Gone with the Wind”

US: What is one of your least favorite movies?
YG: I have definitely seen a lot of lousy movies. That would be a long list.

 

US: What is the most interesting thing you’ve ever eaten?
YG: Not my experience, but other people’s experience, grasshopper. Also cocoon. I’ve never eaten that. I never dared. They come on a stick and you buy four or five.

US: What is your favorite sport?
YG: I like swimming a lot. Hiking, skiing.

 

US: What do you plan to do once you finish school?
YG: I want to do international development. I don’t have experience, so I will see if I can work for an international organization for experience. Possibly, ideally, become a developmental consultant.

US: How do you feel about the Olympics being in China?
YG: I don’t know why, but there seems to be more political issues involved with this year. I don’t think they should play that much in the Olympics. I think they are trying to make this as successful as possible. They need to do a lot of things, like environmental issues, which has been a concern for many people.
–j.p@aggiemail.usu.edu