Trinity Business Network Proves Valuable Experience

The Trinity Business Network (TBN) hosts events that bring students and local businesses together, allowing students to apply the critical thinking skills they learn in the classroom to actual operational and strategic matters.

On February 15, FutureCeuticals representatives Jeff Van Drunen and alumnus Ryan Wories ’09 spoke to business majors on the challenges of starting and expanding a business. A fast-growing sister company of Van Drunen Farms, FutureCeuticals supplies ingredients to companies and restaurants from multiple United States locations, as well as a European base.

Trinity business major Nate Tameling ’14 of Burr Ridge Illinois said he appreciated Van Drunen’s focus on customer satisfaction. He also enjoys hearing the perspective of recent business graduates.

“Successful business men and women, who were not long ago in our shoes, can tell us how they got to where they are now,” said Tameling.

Bringing business practitioners into classrooms ensures that students also learn the important relational skills of intently listening and asking probing yet respectful questions.

“We believe having our students regularly interact with practicing professionals of all ages and experiences is one of the truly unique aspects to studying business at Trinity,” said Dr. Rick Hamilton, assistant professor of business.

Another unique aspect of studying business at Trinity is the Christian perspective of professors and visiting speakers.

Business major Andrew Reidsma ’14 of Wyoming, Michigan said, “Hearing the representatives from FutureCeuticals talk also gave a great perspective on how to better run a Christian company and better serve God with the gifts he has given us.”