Students in Millikin’s Tabor School of Business got some tips on how to be successful in their future from three business school alumni during the 2006 Tabor Homecoming Panel, “Becoming an Executive.”

The large group of students packed the Perkinson Gallery in the Kirkland Fine Arts Center to hear from 1996 graduate Dan Bruno who is a producer for the Assurance Agency, 1991 graduate Melinda Hawbaker who is the executive director of the local United Way chapter and 1968 graduate James Humphrey who is the CEO/President of Andersen Corporation.  Humphrey is a one of the recipients of Millikin’s 2006 Alumni Merit Awards.

The speakers all described the paths they had taken in their careers and how their Millikin education had influenced their careers.  They all stressed to the students the importance of finding a position and a company that is the right fit for them.

Dan Bruno described for the students how the internship he had while at Millikin helped him land his first job.  Bruno also outlined how connections with other Millikin graduates had helped him land new positions or make a major business deal.  Bruno encouraged students to find the position that is right for them and to be passionate about what they are doing.  He told the students the key to success was, “to find something that separates you from everyone else through your production or performance.”

Melinda Hawbaker told the students how her Millikin experience had prepared her for success.  She cited her well-rounded education, her great professors, her involvement in organizations and activities, and her on-campus jobs as keys to her success.  She told the students that she felt part of her success was based on her philosophy to surround herself with the best and brightest people.  She said her current position challenges her and that she really enjoys the opportunity to work with volunteers and the United Way Board of Directors.  Hawbaker shared with the students a guiding principle that she has followed during her career that she learned from retired Millikin professor David Marshall, “responsibility and authority go hand in hand.”  Hawbaker encouraged the students to be committed to what they choose to do with their future.

James Humphrey shared with the Tabor School of Business students many of the keys to success in his long and distinguished business career.  He told the students to learn to become leaders before they can become a successful business executive. He encouraged them to work on their leadership skills now in their classes and organizations.  Humphrey shared the ideas of leadership and the values of the Andersen Corporation.  He encouraged the students to have integrity and values and to do the right thing.  He told the students to make sure their values match with companies they are thinking of working for.  Humphrey outlined four points of being a successful CEO including being a good communicator, surrounding yourself with good talent, being willing to make unpopular decisions and finding a strategic sounding board.  He reminded students that there are also downsides to being a CEO and that there are lots of great positions at the top of companies.