Alumni Edward Barker and Jim Bonner
The National University Professional Network held its charter meeting on Tuesday morning, February 15 from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the Spectrum Academic Center in San Diego.
Approximately 60 people attended the introductory meeting in order to learn more about the Network. Attendees joined their peers for a light breakfast, networking opportunities and an introduction to a wide array of resources that are available to enhance personal and professional development.
Among the attendees were National University alumni, students, faculty and administrators, including Dr. Thomas Green, Dean of National University's School of Business and Management. Faculty presenters included Kenneth Goldberg, director of the Center for Entrepreneurship at National University, and Gary Parks, assistant professor in the School of Business and Management.
Dr. Goldberg informed alumni about the Center for Entrepreneurship, which co-sponsors two-day business development seminars in some of California's most promising markets for start-up companies and minority entrepreneurs. The same instructors who teach National University's MBA students about finance, accounting, marketing, risk assessment, business plan development and growth strategies in the class room, volunteer their time helping entrepreneurs and owners of small and start-up businesses to succeed in the marketplace. Other faculty members in attendance included Ramon Corona and Oliver Schlake, associate professors in the School of Business and Management.
Also attending the networking event were affiliates of the Women's Business Center of California (WBCC). The Center is part of National University and is funded by a five-year, $150,000-per-year SBA grant. It provides assessment, education and access to funding for San Diego women entrepreneurs.
National University alumnus and graduate student Paul Rising addressed the crowd at the Networking event, encouraging greater and broader participation in the National University Professional Network. The NUPN is Paul's brainchild. He created the network and a plan for its growth as a capstone course thesis, for which Dr. Goldberg was the advisor.
"I was very happy with the turn-out," said Paul. "I have already received some very positive responses from some of the people who attended the event."
The Network promotes the development of relationships and communications for students, alumni, and faculty within the National University Community, as well as professional and business development for students and alumni, and the development of effective leadership through University and community projects and programs.
For more information regarding National University alumni events, visit the alumni website at http://www.nu.edu/Community/AlumniandFriends.html
