Vogt Headlines TBN Luncheon, Speaks with Classes

By Brady Otte ’17

On Friday, March 24, the Trinity Business Network (TBN) welcomed veteran business and tech industry leader Patrick Vogt to campus. Vogt, CEO of the National Research Center for College and University Admissions (NRCCUA), served as keynote speaker at a TBN luncheon and met with business students.

As Vogt shared his insights, a persistent theme of “passion” resonated with his audiences. “The most important thing you need is passion,” Vogt told a group of strategic management students, a message he also shared with luncheon attendees. “If you do not have passion, you are wasting your time.”

Passion for entrepreneurship and technology is something that has driven Vogt’s work. Early in his career, Vogt spent several years working for Sony’s e-solutions division, which he played a key role in creating. He has also served as an executive with HP, Dell, and The Weather Channel.

Throughout his career, Vogt’s own passions have evolved. While he is still heavily involved in the tech industry, he is serving in different roles. Vogt said, “I am at the point in my career now where it is more about purpose and mission.” Vogt is currently the CEO of both HealthiNationand NRCCUA. The mission of HealthiNation is to improve the mental and physical well-being of Americans. NRCCUA’s mission is to match prospective students to a college that will fit them best.

Vogt ended his visit at Trinity in BUAD 382’s Lean Startup Class listening to pitches, something he also does in his professional career. During this, class students pitched their startup businesses to a panel of judges including Trinity’s Vice President for Enrollment Rick Riddering, Associate Vice President for Advancement Dennis Harms, Dr. Steve VanderVeen, professor of business and chair of the business department, and Vogt. The judges offered challenging feedback designed to lead students to think critically about what is involved in making their startups successful.