New students learn the ropes in leadership and teamwork

You can learn a lot in the classroom. But some things are best taught – well out in the woods.

This fall the College of Business and Economics welcomed its first group of students admitted directly from high school because of their extraordinary academic records and achievements. Normally students are invited to apply to the college in their junior year.

During the first part of the semester these students were offered a chance to test their cooperative skills – and their nerves – on the Outdoor Challenge Course. They spent the day in the WVU forest under the supervision of Joe Seiaman, director of Undergraduate Programs, and Forrest Schwartz of Adventure West Virginia.

Teamwork and trust were the centerpieces of the course, which took them high above the forest on a ropes course meant to develop problem-solving skills. It also developed a cohesive group of first-year students.

“The students who participated in the Outdoor Challenge have become a social group within the whole group. Many of them have met with me since the OCC, and indicated that it was one of their most memorable events this fall,” Seiaman said.

The students are taking an introductory business administration course, and Seiaman said they barely spoke to one another before the Challenge experience. “Now they converse with one another, where prior to the OCC, they barely spoke a word. It's very interesting to watch them evolve as a group of strangers and become a team where leaders emerge and everyone participates in decision making. Initially, there is hesitation and reservation, but as the day's events progressed, the students become effective team members.”

Valerie Flannigan of Clarksburg, W.Va., said her experience as a freshman B&E student has been great for making friends. “I think we’ve gotten a chance to make more friends and also to work together closely,” she said. “We’re having fun while we’re learning.”

Jeremy Munza of Idamay, W.Va., said, “I have friends who have just one professor for the (introduction to business administration) class. But because of our ‘direct admit’ status, we have professors from each area of the college. This gives us a broader idea of the options available to us. Plus, we all have Joe Seiaman as an advisor, and I know he has helped me a lot already.”

Garrett Robinson of New Martinsville, W.Va., agreed. “Being able to learn from professors in various business and economics areas gives us exposure to each one and will help us make decisions about what area we want to pursue from the get-go.”

Later in the semester a pizza party is planned to introduce them to Interim Dean William Trumbull and a picnic at Tim Pearson’s house. Pearson is a resident faculty leader and director of the Division of Accounting. Seiaman also plans a guest lecture for these new students and to help them become involved with the WVU Office of Civic Engagement and community service opportunities.

“We encourage team work throughout our curricula, not just for the new students directly admitted from high school. Team work is an essential part of strategic planning and management,” he said. “No organization will be able to meet the expectations of its constituents unless its employees can work collaboratively in planning, implementation, and leadership. As students who possess the greatest potential for becoming future business leaders, it's imperative they master the concept of team work.”