BWB is part of the global organization using business to improve the world
VILLANOVA, PA— Just one year after becoming a chapter, the Villanova School of Business’ Business Without Borders student group has been named Net Impact Chapter of the Year for 2010.
Net Impact, which has more than 260 chapters worldwide, is an organization for professionals, graduate students, and undergraduates that aims to use business to create a socially and environmentally sustainable world. Its members include social entrepreneurs, nonprofit managers, international development experts, and students and professionals who are interested in corporate responsibility and sustainability.
Students from VSB accepted the prestigious award at the 2010 Net Impact Conference, which took place October 28-30 at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. VSB’s Business Without Borders community is one of 48 Net Impact undergraduate chapters in the United States.
The Villanova University Undergraduate Net Impact Chapter, named Business without Borders (BWB), was new in the 2009-2010 academic year. The mission of BWB is to provide a platform where business students can utilize knowledge from their classroom experience, and apply it to the real world. To this end, the club organizes special events, recruits visiting speakers, and creates opportunities for students to work both locally and internationally using their business acumen to address social needs.
“We’re thrilled and proud to have won the Net Impact Chapter of the Year Award,” says Robert Hanlon VSB ’11, co-president of Business Without Borders. “It’s a testament to the hard work of our members. This recognition affirms VSB’s strong support of corporate social responsibility.”
“The award highlights the progress that our organization has made during its first year. We are very excited to celebrate this achievement and we are also looking to further improve upon our work. We hope that the foundation our organization has built will help to stress the importance of sustainable and socially responsible business on Villanova’s campus,” added co-president Derek Ferguson VSB ’11.
Chapter of the Year applicants were judged on a number of criteria, including chapter management and leadership, chapter activity, membership growth and retention, impact in the community and on campus, and contribution to the Net Impact network.
During its first year as a student organization, BWB participated in a number of significant initiatives that led to the receipt of the 2010 Chapter of the Year Award. VSB was recognized for its international work in Nicagura, Kenya, and the Philippines, where they engaged in international development projects. Locally, they have been collaborating with the IRS and a nonprofit to help low income clients with tax returns and the group, in collaboration with the Center for Global Leadership and the International Business Society, brought TOM’s Shoes founder Blake Mycoskie to campus. Blake’s message encouraged students to understand that profit and social consciousness can work together
“The opportunities that are being presented to our students are enhancing the business education experience,” says Debra Arvanites, assistant professor of management and operations and faculty advisor to the Villanova Chapter of BWB. “They are leaving Villanova passionate about creating a more socially and environmentally sustainable world.”
About the Villanova School of Business
Founded in 1922, The Villanova School of Business is ranked #20 in the nation among undergraduate business schools by Bloomberg BusinessWeek. The school is home to six Centers of Excellence in the areas of creativity and innovation; marketing and public policy; global leadership; church management; business analytics; and real estate.
