OSU's Eastin Center for Talent Development to assist students in developing professionalism
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
“We believe the Eastin Center will become a leader nationally in innovative programs
that improve the career readiness of students, thereby improving their quality of
life,” said Ken Eastman, interim dean of the Spears School. “The Eastin Center programs
will view students in a holistic manner and will give them opportunities to expand
their skills in all facets of their lives.”
The Eastin Center will provide the leadership and administrative support for the
Spears School’s Career Readiness Initiative, which will focus on practical interpersonal
business skills heightening the opportunities and experiences to empower students
to meet the requirements of the business community and recruiters.
Joseph Eastin, an OSU alumnus who is president and principal of ISNetworld, has been instrumental in the creation of the new center with a generous gift. Eastin and his wife, Monica, were in Stillwater when the Eastin Center was announced Friday.
“As my career progresses and business practices evolve, I continue to learn and develop
new skills. My wife, Monica, and I hope the Eastin Center for Talent Development will
equip OSU students with a skillset that will contribute to success in today’s competitive
business world,” said Eastin, who earned a 1992 bachelor’s degree in business administration
and was inducted into the Spears School Hall of Fame in 2012.
Eastin has helped build ISNetworld into one of the world’s fastest-growing companies,
privately held in the United States. ISN has grown from three employees in 2001 to
nearly 400 today. He currently serves as a board member for OSU’s Riata Center for
Entrepreneurship and the OSU Foundation’s Board of Governors.
The goals of the Eastin Center are to organize and promote existing opportunities
and create activities to achieve career readiness. Students will be inspired to participate
in activities from the moment they arrive on campus as freshmen and will be recognized
when they successfully complete the program.Spears School students will receive hands-on
instruction in four areas while in the program:
· Course work: Career readiness skills will be introduced to freshman students and offered in several
business elective courses.
· Mentoring: Students will be encouraged to participate in the Spears Schools Mentoring Program.
· Career Services: Students will take advantage of all opportunities offered by the Spears School’s
Career Services Center throughout their years on campus.
· Extracurricular Experiences: Engaging in clubs, activities and organizations are an important part of any student’s
growth. In addition, students will be encouraged to participate in more activities
such as travel programs, speakers series, debates, community service, alumni networking
activities and more.
Each year, as many as 10 students who have excelled in the program will be honored
as Eastin Fellows. Each of these honorees will receive a scholarship for one of the
Spears School’s travel programs and have the opportunity to network with business
leaders in New York, Chicago, Dallas and elsewhere.
“We greatly appreciate the generosity and vision of Joseph and Monica Eastin. Their
support will allow us to significantly improve the lives of our students. We value
our partnership with the Eastins and appreciate their commitment to our students,”
Eastman said.
“This is a great opportunity for our students, made possible by an individual who
loves Oklahoma State University,” said Andrew Urich, director for student development
for the Eastin Center. “Joe has been very generous with his time as well as his resources
and will be a valuable partner as we work to realize the goals of the Eastin Center.”
Eastin Center Executive Director Bryan Edwards believes the impact of the program
on the lives of current and future students will lead to better employment opportunities.
“Through the Eastin Center, we will help students enhance their professionalism through
skills necessary for success such as etiquette, good judgment, confidence in business
settings and a self-awareness of how they present themselves,” said Edwards, associate
professor and Joe Synar Chair in the Department of Management. “Graduates eventually
gain these skills with job experience but the Eastin Center will provide opportunities
to jumpstart the learning process.”
For more information, visit the Eastin Center website: http://spears.okstate.edu/eastin/.