CMU receives outpouring of support for student-run initiative
When CMU student and Accounting Club President LeighAnn Norton realized that several students were refusing to attend the annual Meet the Firms networking event with local business leaders – simply because they weren’t dressed appropriately – she decided to do something about it. He knew of another organization that raised money to buy a new outfit for each student and decided to create a similar initiative with a twist. Passionate about environmental sustainability and unwilling to limit the amount of clothing per student, Norton envisioned a system for collecting and distributing second-hand clothing and sought out staff advisors, classmates, and community partners to make it happen.
Sadye Saad and COSI Admissions & Advisor coach Stephanie Parsons guided business students Norton and Olivia Pulford in organizing the student council, budgeting and dealing with sponsors. See the article : How businesses mitigate the risk of unforeseen events in times of uncertainty. Dubbed The Business Closet, the initiative received overwhelming support from community partners and CMU stakeholders in its first three months and continues to gain momentum as the official launch date nears.
More than 200 items of clothing were donated by Heirlooms for Hospice, Mor Storage Sales, CMU Trustee Kasia Iwaniczko MacLeod and CMU Trustee Amy Lentz, and $9,000 in sponsorships from Cigna, Timberline Bank and Dalby, Wendland & Co., P.C.
Signage on each rack will proudly display the logos of the founding sponsors as well as helpful student resources such as resume and cover letter tutorials and mock interview schedules with Career Services.
“I applaud the development of The Business Closet by CMU. First impressions are key to building relationships in our business. So giving not only our interns, but the community of business professionals the opportunity to dress for success has a hugely positive impact,” said Chris West, Dalby. CEO of Wendland & Co., P.C.
“I applaud the Business Wardrobe that CMU has developed. First impressions are critical to building relationships in our business. So giving not only our interns, but the community of business professionals the opportunity to dress for success has a positive impact.” – Chris West, Dalby, Wendland & Co., CEO of P.C.
The committee plans to expand this initiative to include all types of industrial clothing for jobs that prepare CMU and WCCC students, and will establish multiple racks on both campuses.
“We are excited to see this vision come to life and make professional apparel available to all students. Timberline Bank is grateful to be able to support local students and reinvest in their future,” said Hannah Ellis, Timberline Bank Marketing Specialist.
“We are excited to see this vision come to life and make professional apparel available to all students. Timberline Bank is grateful to be able to support local students and reinvest in their future.” – Hannah Ellis, Marketing Specialist at Timberline Bank
The Palisade, Grand Junction, Fruita and Western Colorado Latino Chambers of Commerce will kick off the official launch of The Business Closet with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9 a.m. Sept. 1 at the Davis School of Business. The Maverick Job Fair will be immediately following on the Plaza from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, and clothing covers will be available for students to browse and try on at the Career Services booth. This is also The Business Closet’s first official clothing drive and community members are encouraged to bring gently used office items.
clothes and accessories to give away. A ‘top up’ station will be set up next to the rugby pitch to make donations convenient.
“To our founding sponsors of The Business Closet – Cigna, Timberline Bank and Dalby, Wendland & Co, P.C. – thank you for contributing to our vision and thank you for showing us what it means to be part of a community,” said CMU student Olivia Pulford, who sits on the board. .
“To our founding sponsors of The Business Closet — Cigna, Timberline Bank and Dalby, Wendland & Co, P.C. — thank you for contributing to our vision and thank you for showing us what it means to be part of a community.” – CMU Student Council Member Olivia Pulford
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