Greehey Scholars Program

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This year scholars are tackling exciting new projects. The Business Interaction Program has expanded to now include BIP Consulting Projects. The Greehey Scholars have divided into three groups, each one focusing on a different goal set forth by the company. The three participating companies include Haven for Hope, Tesoro, and Union Pacific.

The Greehey Scholars are interested in integrating these tasks into the business world. These long-term projects are just getting kicked off this semester.

Haven for Hope participants are coming up with a plan on how to end the company’s reliance on donations so they can become more self-sustaining. The Tesoro group’s main focus is on a proposal that highlights the advantages and disadvantages of social media in the corporate setting. Scholars working with Union Pacific are focused on the recruitment efforts of the company and helping them find more qualified potential employees.

All scholars will present their recommendations to the spronsoring organizations in April 2012 in hopes of helping the company’s long-term goals and gaining valuable feedback along the way.

St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, TexasFall 2011 Volume 2, Issue 1

After a successful service venture to Sarteneja, Belize during Fall 2010, the Greehey Scholars returned October 5-10 in an effort to contribute the long-term service immersion goals to the small village.Home to approximately 3,000

individuals, Sarteneja revealed substantial growth since the previous GSP visit in 2010. “It was extremely gratifying to get to see first-hand how hard they have worked to implement what we taught them last year,” said third year GSP member, Sofia Del Cid.

The service immersion consisted of three different project groups which the scholars were equally separated amongst. The groups worked with included the high school outreach group, the Sarteneja Tour Guide Association (STGA), and the Sarteneja

Alliance for Conservation and Development (SACD). Though given a short time span of five days, the Greehey Scholars and the residents of Sarteneja proved to be both productive and very well accomplished with their duties.

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Scholars during a BIP at ITT in New York City last year, just one of the facets of the Business Interaction Program.

Serve

High school students pose with scholars after winning a marketing exercise.

A glimpse into the beauty that Sarteneja, Belize has to offer.

“My work with Haven for Hope has been very rewarding. Being in close contact with the company and working on com-munity outreach has been such a valuable experience.” - Matthew White

Service Immersion Trip to Belize By Judith Molina

BIP Consulting ProjectsBy Ginnette Garcia

www.stmarytx.edu/greehey_scholars

This semester the Greehey Scholars are proud to introduce our newest incoming class. The program’s newest addition consists of eight students coming from as far as Honduras, El Salvador, and Washington D.C., to as close as Judson, Johnson and Providence High Schools in San Antonio. So far these students have shown themselves to be full of different experiences and contributions.

All in all, our newest

class seems to be handling the pressure of college and the GSP very well. Based on their talent and drive, it should be no surprise to see greatness in their futures.

After a few years of being a successful and popular elective activity, the Ronald McDonald House service initiative has been made a group service option for scholars. The project consists of serving a home-cooked meal to families at the house who have relatives that are in the hospital. The group of scholars is in charge of buying supplies, creating flyers, cooking at the house and spending the evening with the families.

Scholars admire the strong and

“The Greehey Scholars are not doctors, and we cannot solve the big problems, but we can make great home-cooked meals! ” - Leslie Lu

loving families at the RMH, who endure challenges that most have not had to face. In giving their time and effort, scholars receive the chance to interact with their surrounding community and the “satisfaction of cooking delicious meals for families in need,” as Lori Mayfield explains. With 4 meals to prepare throughout the semester, the Ronald McDonald House will certainly give the scholars incredible examples of strength, love, courage and faith.

Not only have the Greehey Scholars been able to successfully implement their knowledge of business principles in the Sarteneja presentations and donate 10 laptops from the VITA program to the high school, but have also been able to utilize these experiences in Belize to further develop skill sets and mentalities. Rebecca Prada, senior GSP member is sad she will not be returning to Belize next year. She says that “we have helped out their

local businesses and high schools” in tremendous ways, “but they have also opened up our perception of life outside the United States culture.”

Considering that this experience was a first for many scholars who have never previously been exposed to the business world, the trip to Sarteneja has proved to be beneficial for the development of scholars’ understanding on how to perform business tasks, both locally and internationally.

unBELIZEable!

Serve (continued)

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Ronald McDonald Is A New GSP Group Project By Lorna Cruz

www.stmarytx.edu/greehey_scholars

Rebecca Prada teaches basic marketing at the high school. Freshman scholars Federico Avila, Payam Hemmat, Judith Molina, Paola Retes, Elia Rice, Angela Rizzo, Cameron Schooley, and Karl Wacker.

“I was expecting college to be more structured for some reason, and I have been surprised by the complete indepen-dence. I look forward to taking more of my upper level business classes.” - Karl Wacker

New Leaders on the Block! By Ryan Salts

Lorna Cruz preparing hamburgers.

Lead

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Business Week allowed students to learn from prominent San Antonio business men and women. These executives shared extremely useful advice and information about different industries and their examples will surely inspire all of us to work every day towards becoming ethical leaders.

Events included keynote speaker Lisa Ray Griffin, Meet the Firms job fair, various speakers in classes as

“Professor-for-a-Day,” and ended with the Business Week Dinner.

My favorite event of the week was the business dinner in which prizes were awarded to well-deserving students and faculty who have shown commitment to leadership and academic excellence. Lori Mayfield received a prize for outstanding Management student, Sara Wilkinson for outstanding Accounting student, and Celina Garcia was recognized for her research. Additionally, Dr. Stephanie Ward was recognized as best tenured faculty. They have been recognized because of the passion they have for their work. It is because of their dedication to learning and hard work that they excel in every single thing they set to achieve.

The kick-off that took place last in October was a great start to the Mentor Program, allowing some Greehey Scholars the chance to interact with their assigned mentor for the first time and others the chance to continue their relationships from previous years. Scholars and executives had an introductory meeting at Haven for Hope, followed by a welcome

speech by Dr. Stephanie Ward, and concluded by serving an ice cream social to the guests of Haven for Hope. This provided a great bonding experience as well as an opportunity to become more aware of how blessed we are by serving those who are in need of our help. Ginnette Garcia acknowledges that “having the event at Haven for Hope helped to demonstrate the

values of the GSP to our mentors.” I was very inspired by the

passion my mentor, Haven for Hope executive Meghan Oswald, has for her job; “I love it. Every day is a new and challenging experience.” The meetings to come will surely broaden our horizons and contribute to personal and professional growth. for us all.

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Lori Mayfield and Sara Wilkinson after receiving their awards at the Business Week Dinner.

Trevor Waite with mentor Doug Evanson Scholars and mentors serving ice cream together at Haven for Hope

“I am very appreciative that the CEO of Documation was my Professor-for-a-Day and that he bestowed important life lessons on all who were present.” - Lori Mayfield

Mentor Program Kick-Off By Paola Retes

www.stmarytx.edu/greehey_scholars

Business Week 2011 By Sofia del Cid

Newsletter produced by the GSP Marketing Team. Members: Lorna Cruz, Judi Molina, and Ryan Salts. Team Leader: Ginnette Garcia