UMD News Releases

University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) Labovitz School of Business and Economics will host its eight annual "Professor for a Day" event, on April 3 in the UMD Library Rotunda, fourth floor. The event features two panel discussions, entitled "Following Your Passion to Successful Entrepreneurship" at 9:30 a.m. and "Finding Success in the 21st Century Workforce" at 11:00 a.m.

The event is free and the public is cordially invited to attend. There will be time for questions and answers following both panel discussions.

"Following Your Passion to Successful Entrepreneurship"
9:30 a.m.
Panelists will include one current LSBE student, singer/songwriter David Mehling and three LSBE entrepreneurial graduates, including a former Hardee's franchisee David Guckenberg and coffee artist Angel Sarkela-Saur. James Van Pelt, a former COO of Dexma Inc., will share his experience in assisting entrepreneurs grow their business. Richard Braun from the UMD Center for Economic Development will moderate the discussion.

"Finding Success in the 21st Century Workforce"
11:00 a.m.
Three LSBE alums will share their experiences and thoughts about the qualities employers are looking for in their new hires. These alums include Bhavini Charadva of Ernst & Young, Tania New from Kraft Foods and Justin Fischer from Hertz Rent-a-Car. Susana Pelayo-Woodward of the UMD Achievement Program will be the moderator.

The Center for Economic Development will have an information booth in the School of Business and Economics Room 140, for those who are interested in exploring the possibility of starting their own business.

The goal of the annual "Professor for a Day" event is to connect alumni with current students and staff, through panel discussions, classroom presentations and other networking opportunities.