This was a three-round team selling competition where one student served as sales lead and one student served as tech lead.����

The corporate event was sponsored by Oracle, who brought all their own people in to play the roles of buyers and judges. Last year, six students got hired by Oracle out of this event.��

A total of 13 universities attended, each bringing two teams. Included were major universities who are powerhouses in the area of sales education with standalone sales centers and multiple full-time staff (eg, University of Florida, LSU, MTSU, University of New Mexico, University of Tampa, etc.).��

“You got to love a good David and Goliath story,” AU Professor Bruce Morgan commented in praise of the AU students.����

Jacob Morrow and Grant Stevison (pictured above) walked away with First Place and $1,000. They also won the Teamwork Award. Morrow won  the top Tech lead award. Our other team consisted of Delaney Smith and Alejandro Perez.��

Morrow and Stevison said they pulled some late hours to prepare for the competition, which they feel paid off in the end. They are grateful to ther professors at AU—Drs. Joe Spencer and Bruce Morgan, as well as Rick Moody. They also feel that representatives from Herc Rentals provided valuable assistance, coming into the classroom and staging sales competiitions.��

���f you don’t learn how to apply those and the experience to draw from, at the end of the day, you’re just book smart and you’re not actually going to be able to be successful in the real world,” said Morrow, who is majoring in marketing and also finance. “You’re able to immediately be able to integrate the sales skills that you’ve been picking up through your classes. It also gives you a way to test some different sales techniques that you’ve been thinking about in your off time and your studying.”��

“Jacob brought an incredible ability to relate and be personable, and keep the conversation calm, and he spoke with confidence—I think that that was key,” said Stevison, who is majoring in marketing and minoring in entrepreneurship. ��� think for me, one of the things that helped me be successful was the ability to adapt and adjust, read the room, read the conversation, read the person, and try to adjust based on that, and not being afraid of hearing an objection or hearing ‘no.’”��

Stevison feels that the competition boosted his confidence in his ability to sell, overcoming a mindset that, as a marketing student he felt somehow out of place in a sales competition.��

��� think it gave me a lot of confidence that this is where God wants me and that I have a talent for this,” Stevison said. ���’m not trying to be cocky when I say that, but I do think that the Lord has allowed this to grow in me, and it’s just further confirmation that this is what I’m supposed to be doing.”��

Also at the conference were 10 other corporate sponsors who participated in five rounds of networking competition, 30 minutes each round.��

“You went to a table with a corporate sponsor and two to four other students from other universities and had to push your way to the forefront without being domineering. Quite a balance,” said Morgan, adding that before the competition even started, Oracle scheduled an interview with Morrow.��

Morgan also praised alternate Erin Rable for her performance during the networking event.����

“She won the Top Personality Hire Award (not a real award, I made it up but once she got over her fears of just approaching a table of people she didn’t know, you couldn’t stop her),” Morgan noted.��

Sponsorship Networking��

Morgan considers these competitions as being beyond a conventional competition, citing real results the students bring home, citing the example of Morgan getting a lead for a commercial insurance carrier.��

He commented, “The Greenville Oracle rep said, ‘all the Anderson students were wonderful.’��

The group also got to experience a country songwriters show at the Nashville Symphony, along with some line dancing, which student Delaney Smith excelled at. And of course, when in the Music City, they enjoyed some individual and group karaoke singing.����

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Led by Thomas and Austin Rhodes, Rhodes Companies is a family-owned holding company with deep roots in South Carolina and a long-standing commitment to serving schools, students and communities across the Southeast. Through its operating businesses, Rhodes Companies provides graduation products and services, school recognition programs, branded merchandise and marketing and branding support for K-12 and education-related organizations. The company has also expanded its long-term business ownership and investment activities through EverPine Holdings, a platform focused on acquiring and stewarding durable small and mid-sized businesses.��

Framing Family members of the Institute are enterprise families committed not only to growing their businesses, but also to strengthening family leadership, governance, communication, and generational continuity through active engagement with peers and practical educational resources.��

“We are honored to welcome Thomas, Austin, and the Rhodes family as a Framing Family of the Institute,” said Executive Director of the Kim S. Miller Family Enterprise Institute of South Carolina Dr. Brad Bechtold. “Rhodes Companies reflects the kind of long-term commitment, thoughtful leadership and family enterprise stewardship that this Institute is designed to support. We are grateful for their partnership and look forward to the perspective they will bring to our community.”��

As a Framing Family, Rhodes Companies will participate in Institute programming focused on leadership development, governance, succession planning and peer learning among family-owned enterprises throughout South Carolina.��

“We are honored to be part of the Kim S. Miller Family Enterprise Institute and to join a community that takes family business stewardship seriously,” said Austin Rhodes. “As our family enterprise continues to evolve, we value the opportunity to learn from others, strengthen how we think about leadership and continuity, and contribute to the broader family business community across South Carolina.”��

About Rhodes Companies
Rhodes Companies is a family-owned holding company based in Columbia, South Carolina. Through its operating businesses, the company serves schools, students, and communities across the Southeast through graduation products and services, school recognition programs, branded merchandise, and marketing and branding support for K-12 and education-related organizations. The company also invests in and supports durable small and mid-sized businesses through its EverPine Holdings platform.��

About the Kim S. Miller Family Enterprise Institute of South Carolina
The Kim S. Miller Family Enterprise Institute of South Carolina at 91������ exists to educate, connect, and empower family-owned businesses across the state. Through programming, peer networks, and expert resources, the Institute helps enterprise families navigate the complexities of business, family, and ownership and build enduring enterprises across generations.��

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Founded more than 25 years ago, Steve White Auto Group is one of Greenville’s only family-owned dealerships, representing Volkswagen, Audi, and Volvo, in addition to offering a wide selection of quality pre-owned vehicles. The dealership, now led by second-generation owner Marc White, has grown to include more than 150 team members while remaining committed to its founding values of Integrity, Excellence, Professionalism and Family.

“Family enterprises like Steve White Auto Group are at the heart of South Carolina’s economy and culture,” said Dr. Brad Bechtold, Executive Director of the FEISC. “Their dedication to both business excellence and family legacy aligns perfectly with our mission to help families thrive across generations. We are honored to have them as a Framing Family.”

As a Framing Family, Steve White Auto Group will gain access to exclusive benefits including peer-learning opportunities, educational programming led by 91������ faculty and national experts, networking events with other family enterprises, and recognition as an ambassador for family business sustainability.

“Joining the Family Enterprise Institute is a natural step for us,” said Marc White, President of Steve White Auto Group. “Our business has always been about more than selling cars—it’s about serving families and building community. Becoming a Framing Family allows us to celebrate our legacy while also connecting with other business families across the Palmetto State who are working to preserve theirs. We see this as both a privilege and a responsibility to strengthen the larger family business community in South Carolina.”

About Steve White Auto Group and the Institute

Both Steve White Auto Group and the Kim S. Miller Family Enterprise Institute of South Carolina share a deep commitment to fostering values that extend beyond business. The dealership’s emphasis on integrity, customer service and family reflects the very qualities the Institute seeks to encourage among family enterprises statewide. Together, they represent a partnership grounded in the belief that strong families and strong businesses build stronger communities.

“The White family’s commitment to family values, business integrity and community service is exactly the type of legacy we want to highlight through the Institute,” added Dr. Bechtold. “By becoming a Framing Family, they are not only investing in their own generational future but also in the success of other family enterprises across the Palmetto State. Their leadership sets an example for others to follow.”

For more information about Steve White Auto Group, visit .
To learn more about the Kim S. Miller Family Enterprise Institute of South Carolina, visit .

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The new MBA concentrations at 91������ are structured to be integrated into one-year MBA programs and consist of three courses that can be taken in any order, offering maximum flexibility for students. Rize courses will be delivered in an 8-week, online, asynchronous format, ensuring accessibility for working professionals and full-time students alike.��

New MBA concentrations include:��

Artificial Intelligence: Learn how to implement AI strategically in business operations. Students develop skills to lead AI projects and help organizations adopt new technologies effectively.��

Healthcare Administration: Gain expertise in managing healthcare operations, understanding policy changes, and leading teams in hospitals, clinics, and health systems. Perfect preparation for leadership roles in one of America’s largest industries.��

Finance: Build advanced skills in financial planning, risk assessment, and investment analysis. Graduates are prepared for senior finance roles, from corporate finance to investment banking and financial technology companies.��

Cybersecurity: Develop expertise in protecting organizations from cyber threats. Students learn to assess security risks, respond to incidents, and build strong defense systems – skills desperately needed as cyber attacks increase.��

Business Analytics: Learn to turn company data into useful insights that drive business decisions. Students master analytics tools and learn to present findings in ways that influence executive strategy.��

“At 91������, our goal is to create an MBA experience where students thrive both personally and professionally. That begins with fostering psychologically safe learning environments—spaces where collaboration, innovation and leadership can flourish without fear,” said 91������ Professor of Management Dr. Jeffrey Moore. “The job market has changed dramatically in the past five years, and companies are now hiring for roles that didn’t even exist when we designed our original MBA program. By expanding our MBA offerings, we’re helping students develop the expertise they need to thrive in today’s competitive job market. On the technical side, our new MBA concentrations ensure that students don’t just learn theory but actively use cutting-edge AI tools to augment traditional business frameworks and solve real-world challenges. By combining human-centered leadership with advanced technical training, we’re preparing graduates to excel in today’s dynamic business landscape.”��

Real-World Impact from Day One
Developed by academic and industry experts, the MBA concentrations at 91������ combine rigorous academic coursework with practical, real-world applications, ensuring that students are well-prepared to lead in their respective fields.��

Prospective students interested in learning more about these concentrations are encouraged to visit the 91������ website or contact the admissions office.��

About 91������
91������ is a leading institution of higher education dedicated to providing students with a comprehensive education that fosters critical thinking, leadership, and community engagement. Offering a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, 91������ continues to prepare students for success in an ever-evolving global marketplace.��

About Rize
Rize Education partners with colleges and universities to create career-focused academic programs that meet the demands of today’s workforce. Working with more than 100 institutions, Rize provides students with cutting-edge concentrations designed to enhance their career prospects and equip them with skills relevant to their fields.��

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An 91������ student is the inaugural recipient of a new scholarship from the South Carolina Society of Healthcare Supply Chain (SCSHSC).��

SCSHSC established the Dottie Mullins Scholarship for students studying supply chain management who have worked on a project with one of the hospital partners and presented their work at their annual conference.��

Kim Wooten of the South Carolina Hospital Administration (SCHA) presented Brewer with the $1,000 scholarship, which was named for her mother, Dottie Mullins, recognizing her contributions to South Carolina hospitals.��

“In God’s providence, Allison needed such a scholarship at just this moment. Seeing this be awarded at the conference was amazing!  Allison had no idea that this scholarship was even available to her because of how new it was–the organization announced it and awarded it at the same time,” said Dr. Kimberly Whitehead, supply chain professor at the 91������ College of Business and Economics. “God has truly blessed 91������ and our students because of our relationship with this great organization. We could have never imagined the lives that would be changed and blessed by this collaboration the first year we attended. So many students have attended, received jobs or internships, and we have even started a program to job shadow with the hospitals and their vendors.”��

Dr. Whitehead also thanked 91������ College of Business and Economics Dean Steve Nail for his support of the Supply Chain program and helping with the cost of attending the conference.��

Brewer commented, “Dr. Whitehead had been saying ‘I have a surprise for tonight and I can’t let you know what it is.’ I had an inkling maybe with some scholarships and I though since there’s only three of us here… I was surprised that I was singled out and selected.”��

Brewer attended the conference, held annually in North Myrtle Beach, along with Tanner Buck, Avery Croston and Faith Denton. They learned about ways that hospitals interact with supply chain professionals in healtcare-focused companies. They also presented research on how hospitals dispose of outdated technical equipment, comparing the costs of an asset disposition company with the cost of the hospital disposing of items themselves.��

The students worked with one such company, Tekyard Medical, as they were preparing their presentation.����

“There are issues with private health information being on machines,” Brewer said, commenting that there are companies that ensure that sensitive information is removed from equipment before it is disposed of.����

Brewer, who is double majoring in Supply Chain and Christian Studies, is exploring potential future careers.��

���’ve thought a lot about how missions and supply chain kind of intersect but is also interested in how missions and supply chain intersect,” said Brewer, giving as an example the Christian organization Samaritan’s Purse and supply chain applications for Operation Christmas Child, as well as their disaster relief efforts.����

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The newly appointed Advisory Council members are:��

• Sarah Maiberger, Vice President and Controller, Integrated Support Systems��

• Sarah Curnow, Co-Founder and CEO, Credo Software��

• Kip Miller, Chairman, Eastern Industrial Supplies��

• Jay McAfee, CEO, Thomas McAfee Funeral Homes��

• Ava Smith, President, Flat Fee Recruiting��

• Abe Webber, Vice President of Operations, Super Duper Publications��

• John Barnes, President and Chief Visionary Officer, WorkSmart Staffing��

“We are honored to welcome this accomplished group of professionals to our Advisory Council,” said Dr. Brad Bechtold, Executive Director of the Institute. “Each brings unique insights, deep experience and a shared commitment to strengthening multigenerational family businesses across our state.”��

About the Kim S. Miller Family Enterprise Institute of South Carolina��

The Kim S. Miller Family Enterprise Institute of South Carolina (FEISC), housed within the College of Business and Economics at 91������, exists to support, educate and equip family-owned businesses as they grow, transition and thrive across generations.��

Rooted in research and real-world practice, the Institute provides education, peer learning and expert resources for family businesses navigating the complex intersections of business, ownership, and family. Our programming includes statewide events, confidential roundtables, annual conferences and custom engagements—bringing together owners, successors, professionals and thought leaders dedicated to long-term success.��

The Institute is committed to making a statewide impact and fostering a future where family enterprises of all industries, sizes and backgrounds contribute robustly to South Carolina’s economy.��

The Role of the Advisory Council��

The Advisory Council serves a vital leadership and governance function within the Institute. Comprised of 15 leaders from family-owned businesses and strategic partners, the Council advises the Executive Committee and Institute leadership on strategy, programming, membership development and overall impact.��

Council members meet regularly to offer guidance on the Institute’s strategic direction and ensure that its work remains responsive, relevant and effective for South Carolina’s business families. Members are active participants in Institute events and serve as ambassadors for its mission—promoting a collaborative, confidential and values-driven environment for family enterprise learning.��

���n today’s rapidly changing business environment, family enterprises need places where they can learn from one another, grow stronger together, and plan wisely for the future,” said Drew Brown, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Godshall Recruiting and Chair of the Advisory Council. “That’s exactly what this Institute offers. I’m excited to welcome this exceptional group of leaders to the Council and look forward to the energy and insight they will bring.”��

For more information about the Kim S. Miller Family Enterprise Institute of South Carolina, visit
www.andersonuniversity.edu/feisc��

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The Bachelor of Science degree in Quantitative Economics, launching this fall, focuses on skills that are essential to becoming a leader in the world of finance. Graduates will be equipped to effectively describe, evaluate and solve real-world economic problems.��

The program emphasizes critical thinking skills from an economic and mathematical perspective—all with a strong theoretical foundation. The curriculum will enable graduates to tackle complex economic and financial issues, providing the kind of data-driven insights that are much in demand in today’s economy.����

BS in Quantitative Economics graduates will also be well-prepared for advanced studies in economics, quantitative finance, or data analytics in terms of mastering subject matter and transitioning well into the rigors of graduate work.����

“For many, the mathematical and statistical methods used by economists remain a black box—data goes in, conclusions come out. As advanced data analysis techniques continue to proliferate, it is increasingly vital for business leaders and analysts to have a strong foundation in the mathematics that underpin our complex, global economy,” said Dr. Josiah Reiswig, assistant professor of mathematics and Mathematics Department Chair at the 91������ College of Arts and Sciences. “Anderson’s BS in Quantitative Economics equips students to interpret, adapt, and communicate the mathematical principles that drive economic analysis and decisions.”����

Details about the BS in Quantitative Economics are available online here.

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The BSB in Economics at Anderson will prepare students for success in further studies, whether they’re pursuing an MBA or going on to earn a master’s degree in economics, the latter of which is usually pursued by someone seeking a career as an economist, working in think tanks and other settings where they can provide valuable business insights.��

The new BSB in Economics is another one of many examples of 91������’s pillar of Great Academics, with its strong emphasis on student involvement. In the BSB in Economics program, students will develop a foundational knowledge of free markets, free enterprise and individual choice. The program also emphasizes the application of mathematical modeling and statistical analysis, providing students with opportunities to develop and research ideas that have both practical and academic value. They will gain the ability to think analytically in terms of how the economy operates, accurately interpreting data as it connects to the marketplace.��

According to College of Business and Economics Associate Dean and Professor of Economics, Dr. Gordon Smith, the program is unique compared to economics programs offered at other institutions, with its strong emphasis on student engagement through practical activities that immerse them in the day-to-day activity of an economist. These activities include a student-run investment fund, preparing economic outlook reports and many opportunities to present research at economics conferences. Smith commented that this approach has been taken in the Economics minor that the College of Business and Economics currently offers.��

Details about 91������’s BSB in Economics can be found online here. ��

��

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NISC was a two-day event of competitions, workshops, a career fair and a networking party. The AU students were among more than 300 students from 60 colleges from across the U.S., Canada and Europe competing for a $1,000 prize. All were students in the MKT 399 Advanced Sales Class. They won an in-class competition to earn the right to represent AU at their first ever sales competition.��

According to Dr. Bruce Morgan, advance sales class professor in the AU College of Business, the inaugural meeting of the new AU Sales Club is planned for January 27, 2025. The AU Sales Club is open to students of any major with an interest in sales.��

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Their projects received funding from The Clouse-Elrod Foundation, Inc. as part of the 2024 Maverick Innovators Fellowship that inspires the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders to catch the “maverick” spirit and nurture their innovative thinking. As Fellows, these students completed an eight-week, cohort-based training program and “Big Idea” research project with their student peers from eight universities across North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee, culminating in a presentation of their project.����

According to Emma Peters, a double major in Marketing and Accounting with a Dance minor, the eight-week course was an innovation “mindset-reset” kind of course. The foundation provided students with guidance based on top global issues identified by the United Nations—social, economic and environmental.����

“We were able to learn where our strengths and weaknesses were when it came to innovation and entrepreneurship,” Peters said. “To finish out that project, we were able to do a paper where we looked at a global issue and we came up with a new innovative solution for it; we were able to present on that with the founders of the foundation as well as professors across the state of South Carolina.”��

Peters chose to do a project on global overconsumption and waste disposal practices, focusing on practices and attitudes prevalent among first-world countries.��

“I was able to come up with a solution for awareness by using public art displays to bring awareness through public spaces to the issue in hopes that in the future that that could be reduced,” Peters said as she shared her vision for public displays of art works created out of non-biodegradable waste items such as plastic car parts, fast fashion and textiles. “We’d use those to create art pieces that would be lasting, showed impact of what we consume and how it stays on earth for a prolonged period of time—longer than most people would probably expect it to.”��

Delaney Smith, who is majoring in Marketing and minoring in Entrepreneurship, focused her project on a sector of the apparel market considered to have a negative global impact.��

“My project was based around the idea of fast fashion. Overconsumption of discarded clothing is a huge problem globally,” Smith said.�� “Trends are just so quick to fade and they change really fast in our society right now because of the way you can find out what people are doing on social media.”��

Smith unpacked how fast fashion is harmful.��

“Every part of the textile manufacturing process, there’s waste generated at literally every step, and so it’s not even just the clothing itself being discarded and polluting our environment,” Smith said. “The fact that I surrounded my project on is that every second of the day there’s a tractor trailer full of clothing either discarded or burned—every second.”��

Smith’s proposal is to involve consignment sellers of clothing and others such as thrift stores to become part of a multi-city event to raise awareness of fast fashion’s problem while at the same time creating a solution that’s more of a win-win.����

Marketing Major Eric Moore drew inspiration for his project from working with kids a couple of summers at a sports camp. While there he interacted with a lot of middle school-age youngsters who were involved in travel sports, such as baseball or basketball.����

“These are some of the richest kids in America, so it kind of makes sense… They have the money to do it, but I had 10-year-olds one time, and these kids were literally going to Cooperstown, Panama City Beach, Tennessee, Louisiana. They’re traveling everywhere when they’re 10,” Moore said. “When I was 10, I was still playing with Matchbox cars and Hot Wheels. I did baseball practice three nights a week and loved it. I’ll never forget one of the kids basically told me that he likes just being at home on the weekend. I was like ‘good grief, you’re 10. You shouldn’t be worried about your ERA’ or whatever stats they’re worried about.”��

Moore is concerned about the burdensome expense not all families can handle and burnout from extensive travel aimed at giving a son or daughter a competitive advantage in a particular sport.��

Moore’s project, which he calls the Fun First Movement, is aimed at helping young athletes and their parents value the fun aspects of playing sports. There would be a marketing campaign using high profile sports figures to promote local rec leagues. Another part of the Fun First Movement would be organizing events at community recreation departments. The events would promote team sports while providing fun activities kids can enjoy with their friends. He envisions events where youngsters can enjoy playing their favorite sport, but also enjoy rides, food and parades with their teammates.��

The Maverick program keenly develops an innovative mindset among students—highly desirable in interviews for a variety of professions as well as for entering graduate school.�� Integrating such innovation into classwork is just one of many aspects of AU’s pillar of Great Academics.

“You’re able to build a skill set to become better at those things, which is very valuable to companies and firms when you’re going to look for full time or even part-time employment,” Peters said.��

��� loved being able to find a problem, find a solution and see what overall impacts I think my solution would have,” Moore said. “This was definitely a very helpful part of my education.”��

For Smith, a big takeaway was the program’s focus on creative problem-solving.����

���nnovation is something that can be taught if you just take time to learn it. I haven’t really started my entrepreneurship classes, but that’s kind of a different side of things,” Smith said. ���t was really cool to learn how to be an innovator.”��

��

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