LHU seniors Kara Hunt and Melissa Mangan enjoy a glass of water while practicing their networking skills. Joining them is Donald Houser, LHU trustee and partner in Davis and Houser Financial services.

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - Lock Haven University business students had an opportunity to network with university, business and community leaders as part of a senior reception. The Business Administration and Accounting Advisory Council hosted the reception for students enrolled in the Senior Capstone Course in Strategic Management. The reception took place on Friday evening, April 24 in the Durrwachter Alumni Conference Center.

Dr. Cori Myers, faculty liaison to the Advisory Council and assistant professor of management, explained how students prepared for the reception. “Just prior to the Senior Reception, the students spent time with Bobbie Jo Simcox, retired from the Pennsylvania Cooperative Extension, who explained such business etiquette as where to place nametags, in which hand to hold the water glass, how to firmly shake hands, and how to engage in meaningful conversation with a new acquaintance.”

Students mingled with university administrators and trustees, as well as local leaders in government, business and the community. LHU President Keith T. Miller welcomed the guests. The keynote speaker, Virginia Roth, partner and executive vice-president of the partnership of Packer, Oesterling & Smith, Inc., spoke to the students about overcoming their fears and meeting challenges.

John Cattoni, co-owner of Target Systems and chair of the Advisory Council, spoke about the value of the senior reception to the students. “This experiential learning opportunity provides students with an opportunity to network with business professionals in a social setting,” he said. “Through an evening of interaction, our business students can refine the interpersonal and social skills they will need for their careers. Thanks to the business, community, and university persons who volunteered their time and talents, I believe the students who participated will be more comfortable and better prepared for their future roles in similar events and settings.”

Student reactions to the reception were uniformly positive. Julia Popovich said, “When I first came into the room I was nervous and worried. Leaving, I know that I am better for that experience and that I am more comfortable networking. Practice like this teaches you things that you cannot learn within the four walls of a classroom.”

Ronald Baldwin said, “Having an Accounting and Business management degree, I know I’ll be put in numerous occasions such as this one and I need to be prepared and understand how to conduct myself in that type of environment.

Looking back, Meyers commented, “In the Senior Capstone Course, we devote an entire semester to preparing students for the real world.” She added, “Although the course emphasizes developing and executing plans, students were advised over and over again about how the attitude with which they approach their personal and professional endeavors will ultimately determine their happiness and success in life."