Business Department Receives Grant to Strengthen Vocational Formation

The business department has received a $50,000 2012 NetVUE Program Development Grant, which will be used to strengthen the focus on vocational calling and to develop a more integrated approach to the study and realization of vocational opportunities for students.

Trinity recognizes that, especially in today’s challenging economic climate, students and parents are focused on the connection between a college education and the opportunities afforded to students to deepen their understanding of their vocational calling.

Students and parents are focused on the connection between a college education and the opportunities afforded to students to deepen their understanding of their vocational calling.

Faculty and staff from three campus departments—academic business department, Cooper Career Center, and Trinity Business Network—will work together to develop a model program for how to support students and serve alumni and business partners with regard to vocational formation.

Currently, these three distinct programs operate separately and focus on vocational calling within the field of business to varying degrees.

“By closely examining the purpose for the work we are currently engaged in and the theological underpinnings of living out our vocations, we plan to build a sustainable model for coordinating and developing these efforts,” said Dr. Lynn White, professor of business.

She and her business department colleagues, Dr. Deborah Windes, Dr. Rick Hamilton, and Professor Kyle Harkema, will work over the next two summers to develop the model, which the group envisions could be helpful for other departments at Trinity.