The ISU Ag Business Club aims to stimulate student interest in Ag Business as a major, to provide Ag Business students with opportunities to develop their leadership skills, to recognize the accomplishments of outstanding Ag Business students, and to fost
1. To stimulate student interest in Ag Business as a major.
The Club attempts to achieve this goal by making current and prospective students more fully aware of the many exciting and diversified career opportunities that a degree in Ag Business can create for them. Agribusiness professionals are invited to speak at most monthly Club meetings in order to discuss their particular career or profession. The Club attempts to bring speakers in from several different fields in agricultural business during the year so that Club members get exposed to several different types of careers.
Relatedly, the Club plans, organizes, and hosts the annual 'College of Ag Career Day' which provides students with opportunities to visit with industry professionals on campus in order to learn more about agricultural careers. Over 125 industry representatives typically attend the event.
2. To provide Ag Business students with opportunities to develop their leadership skills.
The Club attempts to achieve this goal through numerous positions of responsibilities that are assumed by Club members either as officers or committee members. The Club currently has nearly 40 different members serving in key leadership positions either as an officer or a committee chair. Planning, organizing, decision making, working with others, and communicating are a few of the leadership skills that these positions require students to practice and demonstrate.
3. To recognize the accomplishments of outstanding Agricultural Business students.
The Club attempts to achieve this goal through the sponsorship of awards for outstanding members. Each year the Club presents an 'Outstanding Member' award to a freshman, sophomore, junior and senior. Each winner is presented with a framed certificate. In addition, a 'William G. Murray Award' is presented each year to the senior who has contributed the most to the Club over the past four years. A plaque is presented to the winner of this award. These awards are presented at the Club's annual spring banquet. In addition, at this banquet, the Club recognizes an Outstanding Ag Business alum (former student) each year.
4. To foster a spirit of cooperation and unity among Ag Business students, faculty, and others.
The Club attempts to achieve this goal by providing members countless opportunities to work together in planning and carrying out numerous professional and social events during the year. Students take leadership roles on committees that organize and execute such activities as the fall 'welcome', the spring 'picnic', the Christmas pizza party, and other social events such as social and field trips this past year. The Club also enables students to interact with faculty through the 'meet the prof' part of most Club meetings. The Club has continued 'free continental breakfasts' the morning of each Club meeting night. Donuts and juice are served in the Ag Business office. Both students and faculty are invited to again encourage and promote student-faculty interaction.
