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As part of a Principles of Management class during the fall 2009 semester at DeSales University, students formed teams and pursued fundraising projects for a local charity. In the process, they perfected the necessary skills to carry out their work and then put them into action. As a result of their fundraising efforts, they raised $4,471 for Camelot for Children in Allentown.
“The Principles of Management class at DeSales provides students with experiential and service learning. They learn how to plan, organize, collaborate in teams, and control a project,” said Dave Woods, business faculty member who teaches the class. “Then students apply the skills in group settings to reinforce the learning and do positive things that help others.”
“In Salesian tradition, the students are facilitated into learning more about themselves in order to be the best they can be, and also taught the need for compassion for those less fortunate,” added Woods, in reference to the teachings of St. Francis de Sales, patron saint of DeSales University.
In pursuing the semester-long project, the 34 students in the management class formed nine teams of three to four people. Each team worked on a different fundraising project. The projects included selling t-shirts and wrist bands, a dodge ball tournament, Red Robin and Copperhead Grille special events, Chick Filet event and raffle, as well as obtaining donations and contributions from area businesses.
“It was wonderful learning management skills and then using them to take part in a worthwhile project that helped raise money for children in need,” said Victoria Jenny, junior criminal justice major from Coopersburg, Pa. “It was a win-win situation.”
This was the second time students in Woods’ Principles of Management class took part in managing projects for charity. Although previous projects were successful, this year’s results surpassed the goal set by Woods.
According to Woods, students were grateful for the experience because they were able to do something for a good cause, while acquiring necessary management skills. Students also saw learning by working in teams as a great pre-cursor to the collaborative nature that will be required in their future careers.
“It was great learning management skills and how to organize fundraising projects,” said Brian Panella, a freshman marketing major from Easton, Pa. “It was truly amazing to see how our entire class pulled together to raise a decent sum of money for a good cause.”
During a presentation on Thursday, December 10, their last day of class for the fall semester, the students presented a check for $4,471 to officials from Camelot for Children. In attendance were Camelot officials Jo Ellen Moll, executive director, and Abby Schafer, executive assistant.
“We were thrilled with the results of the students’ efforts,” said Schafer. “The money raised will help provide social programming to the children we serve.”
Camelot for Children provides a social gathering place for seriously, chronically, terminally ill and disabled children and their families. There is no charge for programs, activities or services that Camelot provides to the families. To date Camelot for Children (http://www.camelotforchildren.org) has provided a loving environment to over 500 families.
According to Schafer, since all Camelot’s events are free of charge to the families, it is important to have funding and donations to keep the various programs running and to make them extra special through decorations, crafts, entertainment and food.
“We are so grateful for the students’ commitment to Camelot,” said Moll. “Not only did they help raise substantial funds in a relatively short period of time, but they also raised awareness in the community and among themselves.”
“It was a great character-building experience,” said Bob Bogarde, sophomore business management major from Bristol, Pa. “I enjoyed selling items and raising money for a worthwhile organization like Camelot for Children.”
Eric Altpeter, freshman finance major from Bethlehem, Pa.; Besart Berisha, sophomore management of information technology major from Allentown, Pa.; Robert Bogarde, sophomore management major from Bristol, Pa.; Alecia Brack, freshman management major from Quakertown, Pa.; Derek Chrismer, freshman, undeclared major, from Mountain Top, Pa.; Alexander Clemson, sophomore accounting major from Sewell, N.J.; Amber Collins, freshman chemistry major from Honesdale, Pa.; Brendan Ford, sophomore accounting major from Allentown, Pa.; Melissa Ganter, freshman management major from Coopersburg, Pa.; Eric Glenn, freshman accounting major from Stroudsburg, Pa.; Brennan Gmeiner, freshman marketing major from New Market, Md.; Ryan Guthrie, freshman management major from Wilmington, Del.
Also, Sara Hess, sophomore communication major from Coopersburg, Pa.; Victoria Jenny, junior criminal justice major from Coopersburg, Pa.; Thomas Kohler, sophomore communication major from Leesport, Pa.; Anthony Markovic, junior accounting major from Bethlehem, Pa.; Thomas Marshall, sophomore, undeclared major, from Philadelphia, Pa.; Edel McBarron, freshman criminal justice major from Ireland; Justine McNulty, freshman, undeclared major, from Collegeville, Pa.; Lauren Metz, sophomore finance major from Easton, Pa.; Tripty Modi, freshman finance major from India; Joseph Moussa, freshman, undeclared major, from Easton, Pa.
In addition, Tyler Oates, freshman sport and exercise science major from Quakertown, Pa.; Colby Pacillo, freshman, undeclared major, from Lebanon, N.J.; Brian Panella, freshman marketing major from Easton, Pa.; Heather Perkins, freshman management major from Douglassville, Pa.; Nicholas Piazza, freshman sport and exercise science major from Bethlehem, Pa.; Louis Pongia, freshman management major from Downington, Pa.; Jennilyn Quinones, freshman accounting major from Allentown, Pa.; John Torok, freshman management major from Allentown, Pa.; Eric Tremmel, freshman marketing major from Emmaus, pa.; Brett Walker, freshman, undeclared major, from Philadelphia, Pa., and Chris Zucchi, freshman management major from Kinnelon, N.J.
Please contact Dave Woods, faculty member in the DeSales University Department of Business, at 610-282-1100, ext. 1838, or at dave.woods@desales.edu.
Press Release: DeSales Students Put Principles of Management Into Action And Raise Money For Local Charity | Posted on: 12/17/2009
For more info:
Tom McNamara, Executive Director of Communications
DeSales University | 2255 Station Avenue | Center Valley, PA 18034
610.282.1100 x1219 | Tom.McNamara@desales.edu |
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