Eleven Walker College students started their 2012 with a study abroad program in Malawi, Africa, one of the poorest countries in the world. The group spent 15 days there, studying first-hand the economic obstacles there, and international aid efforts. Dr. Marty Meznar, Walker College Associate Dean for International Programs, narrates a slideshow from the trip, with details on what students did while there. A photo album is also online.

This was the first Walker College Study Abroad trip to Malawi.

Malawi is one of the ten poorest countries in the world and its economic struggles are written on the landscape. A drive from the airport to old City Center passes rolling hills, almost bare of trees, dotted with the growing stalks of corn that will feed the country this year. With the electrical grid only reaching 4% of the population, deforestation is mostly driven by the need for fuel to cook and heat homes. In the city, long lines of vehicles crowd the streets near gas stations because petrol supplies are scarce. This year’s profits from tobacco exports were not sufficient to cover the cost of enough imported oil. Reliance on tobacco as the main export and corn as the staple crop has left the population vulnerable to changing environmental and economic factors. The HIV/AIDS epidemic has hit hard here, combining with other health factors to reduce the life expectancy to about 38 years. Hundreds of thousands of children have been orphaned as parents succumb to the virus.

This international educational opportunity is one of many Walker College organizes each year. More are scheduled for 2012, including trips to Brazil, Chile, Vietnam, Thailand and Costa Rica. 

Ever had a business idea but no platform to present it? Need a little push to make a big leap? Now is your time to shine.

The annual "Pitch Your Idea in 90 Seconds" contest is now accepting potential business plans from Appalachian State students. Maybe it's a music festival. Or selling socks online. Your idea could be judged strong enough for a $1,000 top prize.

The business bullpen is now open.

The morning of March 23, 2012, during the Celebrate Entrepreneurship at ASU event, the Center for Entrepreneurship will hold the annual Pitch Your Idea in 90 Seconds Contest. If interested:

1. Come up with an original business idea (for profit or non-profit). It can be any business, any size, anywhere, but no franchises.
2. Develop a creative name for your business, a brief description and an explanation as to why you think it is a good idea. Prove that this is a good idea with a little outside research.
3. Submit your entry online no later than Friday, March 2, 2012.

The best 20 ideas will be selected and contest participants will be notified by Friday, March 9, 2012. Each of those 20 students will make their 90 second pitch on Friday, March 23 to a panel of entrepreneurs who will then vote on the best idea. The winner will receive $1,000! Other monetary prizes will be awarded to runners up ($500 for 2nd place, $250, 3rd place, and $250 for best presentation). Awards will be deposited into your ASU student account. For students who win awards and receive financial aid, award monies may be directly applied to those loans.

Here’s a worksheet to sharpen your acumen. [DOC] 

For more information, contact Contact Julia Rowland Boone in the Transportation Insight Center for Entrepreneurship (262-6196, rowlandja@appsate.edu / Raley 1016). Please note: All entrepreneur judges will be under non-disclosure to protect your idea.

Karen Thomas, who accepted an invitation to serve as Appalachian State winter commencement speaker thanks in part to a Walker College student group, told graduates not to be quick to wave a white flag in today's economic environment. Thomas, who graduated from Appalachian in 1990, talked about her experience as a new graduate, and some lesssons she learned. 

The American dream (today) is alive and well, but not because you want it. You're going to have to work for your piece of the dream.

I will tell you, when I started out, it wasn't smooth sailing. I didn't have a destination in my sight. I still don't. I am on a journey. And each day I venture out on my path and, while I know the basic direction I'm heading towards, I hope that the road will lead me to my next landmark. 

All of you will now need to make decisions, and they will contribute to your journey. Your journey that you've already begun here at Appalachian State University. And whatever you decide, I'm here to tell you, if you persevere, stay true to your desires and dreams, take risks, and most importantly, you pick yourself up each and every time you fall down, everything will work out. And when you least expect it, you will begin to see landmarks clearly, and your dream coming true.

Thomas' speech, along with the awarding of degrees to all graduates at the ceremony, is now available to be viewed online. Thomas is introdcued at 43:28, and her speech begins at 45:35. Her appearance as speaker was a direct result of a Bowden Investment Group visit to Bloomberg in September. Thomas is regional business manager of sales for North and South America at Bloomberg L.P.

Walker College Dean Dr. Randy Edwards speaks at 71:25. 

Karen Thomas, regional sales manager for the North, South and Central America for Bloomberg L.P, will be the speaker for commencement ceremonies Dec. 18 at Appalachian State. Thomas is a 1990 graduate of Appalachian.

Walker College will join the College of Health Sciences, the College of Fine and Applied Arts and the Hayes School of Music in awarding degrees during the 2 p.m. ceremony at the Holmes Center. The other colleges of the University will hold a combined graduation ceremony at 10 a.m., according to ASU News.

A Watauga County native, Thomas earned a Bachelor of Science in communication from Appalachian’s College of Fine and Applied Arts. She was an active member of the Chi Omega sorority and Pi Sigma Epsilon business fraternity while a student.

She began her career on the trading floor of the American Stock Exchange in New York City after graduating from Appalachian.

Thomas joined the Bloomberg L.P. sales force in 1994, and in 1997, she was asked to develop and launch the Bloomberg Roadshow group, a global product offering which she managed until 2001.

From 2001-06, Thomas managed the Bloomberg Fixed Income Electronic Trading group, where she was successful in growing Bloomberg’s electronic trading relationships with both the Buy-Side and Sell-Side. In 2006, she re-joined terminal sales as a team leader and sales manager, where she managed several teams before accepting her current position as regional sales manager.

In her current role, Thomas is responsible for developing and executing the sales strategy for the Americas, as well as managing and mentoring a 530 person sales force.