Professor For A Day

The Professor for a Day program is intended to introduce Doermer School of Business faculty and students to contemporary business issues faced by northeast Indiana business firms. We invite out guest to speak to upper level undergraduate and MBA students in policy and strategy courses. Our guest opens the session with a topic that is contemporary and relevant to his/her organization, explains the situation and its impact on the organization's business model, shares the company's approach to resolution, and invites student questions. Our guest may come with a formal presentation using presentation software such as PowerPoint or make use of handouts and other media. Or our guest may be very informal and invite student interaction by asking how they would approach resolution.

The amount of time is at the discretion of our guest. We limit the number of sessions with students to three.

Some guests have spoken to unique challenges faced by their industry such as outsourcing, off shoring, collaborations, partnerships, labor/management relations, business ethics, global issues affecting their company and/or the northeast Indiana economy, and their perception of good learning experiences for business students in preparation for careers. The ethics of conducting business in our guest's industry comes up in many discussions.

During the fall 2012 semester, two community leaders generously gave their time to spend a day at the Doermer School of Business. The executives were John Peirce and Tom Beaver. John is a member of the Fort Wayne Community Schools School Board. He was also the most recent Distinguished Alumnus for the Doermer School. Tom is the owner of Indiana Stamp, Inc. 

During the spring 2013 semester, two community leader generously gave their time to spend a day at the Doermer School of Business. The executives were Matt Barnes and Tom Ellis. Matt is a financial consultant at ProFed Financial Advisors (a subsidiary of ProFed Federal Credit Union). Matt attained his MBA at IPFW in 1991. Tom is the President of The Ellis Company, a private capital company located in Fort Wayne. Tom has been involved in the acquisition, development, and strategic support of over 30 businesses and real estate projects. His current portfolio consists of 5 businesses with consolidated revenues in excess of $60 million.

The executives engaged in discussions with faculty and students and participated in numerous business classes covering issues in operation management, marketing, and social implications of business decisions.

During the fall 2011 semester, two community leaders generously gave their time to spend a day at the Doermer School of Business. The executives were Lena Yarian, president of Junior Achievement of Northeast Indiana and Marilyn Moran-Townsend, CEO of CVC Communications. 

During the spring 2012 semester, one community leader generously gave their time to spend a day at the Doermer School of Business. The executive was Karl LaPan, CEO of Northeast Indiana Innovation Center.

The executives engaged in discussions with faculty and students and participated in numerous business classes covering issues in operation management, marketing, and social implications of business decisions.

During the spring 2011 semester, two community leaders generously gave their time to spend a day at the Doermer School of Business. The executives were Debra F. Williams, Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Parkview Health, and Andi Udris, President of The Alliance.

The executives engaged in discussions with faculty and students and participated in numerous business classes covering issues in operation management, marketing, and social implications of business decisions.

During the fall 2009 semester, one community leader generously gave his time to spend a day at the Doermer School of Business. The executive was J.L. Nave, III, President and Chief Executive Officer from the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. 

During the spring 2010 semester, two community leaders generously gave their time to spend a day at the Doermer School of Business. The first executive was Mike Packnet, Chief Executive Officer from Parkview Health. The second executive was Mark Rupp, CPA and Entrepreneur.

The executives engaged in discussions with faculty and students and participated in numerous business classes covering issues in operation management, marketing, and social implications of business decisions.