HAYLEY LERCH
News Assistant
Dr. Connie James’ business management and theory students are taking a hands-on approach to their course material by managing the non-profit organization Pepperdine4Service. Not only do these students read textbooks and take exams, they run an organization that has already raised $2,500 in support of World Vision, a Christian organization that helps impoverished children and families in nearly 100 countries.
Pepperdine4Service, which was formed at the beginning of last semester as part of James’ class, auctions celebrity memorabilia on eBay, with all proceeds going to World Vision. This semester the organization made double the amount raised last semester, and they are planning to continue their success.
“For me, it’s a completely new experience because you get to see how a business is really run instead of through a textbook,” junior Matt Llewellyn, member of the marketing team, said. “It’s a cool way of learning because you also get to help people.”
After returning this year from a sabbatical at the University of Michigan, where action learning (learning through doing) is utilized, James decided to implement this method in her classroom.
“There’s a real difference between learning by doing and learning through theory,” James said. “I see students a lot more engaged. When you have to use a business tool to solve a problem, it sinks in a lot better.”
Last semester, the class voted to focus on Katrina relief efforts, but this semester, Pepperdine4Service is raising funds for World Vision. According to junior Hayley St. Philip, vice president of marketing for the business, the class chose World Vision because they are especially concerned about the welfare of children.
“We decided we wanted a children’s theme and you can do a lot with World Vision,” St. Philip said. “We’ll decide at the end of the semester, which specific areas of World Vision we want to support.”
After selecting their charity of choice, students were designated to different departments, including public relations, marketing, logistics, finance and law, depending on their individual skills.
Just as students have gone from passive listeners to active members of the organization, James’ role has changed from a traditional lecturer to a participant who said she is also learning from the experience.
“I consider myself to be two things: the major facilitator, and I really want them to see how all the parts come together,” James said. “I’m also a major integrator. It changes your role from lecturer to the person facilitating and showing how business tools can help us solve our problems.”
Pepperdine4Service members have contacted local businesses that have donated money as well as auction items. Most recently, Llewelyn contacted Capital Group Investments, a prominent investment firm, and met with an executive who agreed to donate $2,000.
Many of the students involved have made use of their contacts to contribute to the project. Llewellyn, who attended school with the children of many celebrities, has made use of his Hollywood connections and has helped the marketing team garner many donations. The Olsen twins donated a large basket of memorabilia, including the dress worn on their first “Full House” episode, and Kelsey Grammar donated a piece of flooring from the set of “Cheers.” Other celebrity donors include Denzel Washington, Andy Garcia, Norm Nixon, Lionel Richie and Debbie Allen. Llewellyn is also working on a project to obtain a piece of the original “Star Wars” movie set signed by the entire cast.
“It’s been pretty time consuming, asking for the items,” Llewellyn said. “These people are really busy, so I have to stay on top of them to make sure that the items get sent.”
While the group has successfully used eBay for their auction activities, they are looking into other ways to raise funds, including two different live auction opportunities. The organization also maintains a Web site that provides information for donors and buyers and profiles the organization’s goals and activities.
“It’s tough on eBay because you’re up against so many other items,” St. Philip said. “We want our Web site to be the central way to access eBay and locate our items.”
Although the organization has had much success already, it will continue to devote themselves to raising funds for the rest of the semester. For most students, the idea of running a business is quite different from other curriculum they’ve experienced, but St. Philip said that the project has been very beneficial.
“I’ve learned a lot about business and learned tons about what a learning organization is all about,” St. Philip said. “I’ve learned about the power you have as a team when everyone is an active participant.”
Those interested in the group’s efforts can visit their Web site at www.
pepperdine4service.com.
03-29-2006