management – Alumni Blog

April 5, 2018

IWU Graduate Nathan Smith

By: Dezaray Barr

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Nathan Smith graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management. “I took college classes at IWU while I was in high school in Marion,” Smith said. “A traveling music group performed at my youth camp, and I got really excited about being involved in the music program like they were.”

Smith was involved in Chorale for four years, and he worked in the PPAC for three years. “I loved living on campus and participating in activities. My sister and future brother-in-law also attended IWU at the same time. Three of the guys in my wedding party were from IWU,” he said.

While a student, Smith really treasured chapel services. “The amazing worship teams and weekly speakers challenged and emboldened my faith,” he said. “There were times that I was running from God during those years, but I appreciate the strong community that supporting me in my journey and helped be the hands and feet of Christ. The University was a safe place to grow and develop in my faith.”

Now, Smith works for Lincoln Financial Group. He manages a Call Center team who handle phone calls for client’s retirement accounts. Smith said, “I also work closely with clients, I onboard new staff, and I guide projects that enhance the experiences of our staff and customers.”

During his time at IWU, Smith’s focus on local church and service empowered him to live differently even after he graduated. “Using the training and experiences I gained working with people, I’ve been very involved with volunteering in the 15 years since graduation,” he shared. “It has also been rewarding to coach college students and the under-employed on how to prepare for their careers or re-enter the workforce. I love my career, and I equally value the opportunities I get to serve.”

Outside from his professional career, Smith is an experienced actor. He was the lead actor in Fort Wayne Civic’s The Little Shop of Horrors. He’s played Charlie in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown and Evan Roberts in the musical Bend Us.

Smith is married with three children, all under six-years-old. Since graduation, he and his family have lived in Fort Wayne, and he dreams of traveling to Japan someday where his wife served as a missionary.

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Written by Dezaray Barr, PR Specialist for the Alumni Office. Dezaray is a junior Strategic Communication, Journalism and Honors Humanities triple major at Indiana Wesleyan University in the John Wesley Honors College. Visit Dez’s website at www.dezaraybarr.weebly.com.

February 16, 2018

Accounting Spotlight: Juanita Benson

By: Dezaray Barr

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Juanita Benson graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University in 1996 with a bachelor’s degree in Management.

Benson was attracted to IWU because of the hours and convenience of classes. “I really enjoyed the curriculum, collaborating with other professionals, meeting new friends and how the IWU facilitators really cared,” Benson said. When arriving at IWU, Benson had a strong spiritual foundation, but it only continued to grow during her time at IWU.

Benson is now a Clinical Information Services Manager in the healthcare field. “I would not have grown professionally without the credentials I received in my education at IWU,” Benson shared.

Benson enjoys biking and spending time with her nieces and nephews.

She would encourage IWU students to keep the end in mind. “Know that your IWU education is professional, profound and useful throughout your life,” she said.

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July 29, 2017

James LaFlamme: Biopharma Global

By: Dezaray Barr

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James LaFlamme graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University in 1988 with a Masters in Management.

While a student at IWU, LaFlamme also held a full-time job as an executive. “I would describe this period of time as intense,” LaFlamme said, “but I met a lot of great people and the learning environment at IWU was outstanding.”

Despite this being only the third year of the new adult program at IWU at the time of his graduation, LaFlamme came to IWU because of the program. “I was attracted to IWU because of the accelerated program for Graduate degrees: The LEAP Program,” he said. “It allowed me to work full time and complete a Masters degree in a reasonable period of time. In addition, the process was easy, the books were delivered, everything was pre-packaged… it made the entire process efficient.”

Although LaFlamme’s education matured at IWU, others aspects of his life did too. “My faith and spirituality grew and flourished during my time at IWU. I knew because of my faith and time at IWU that in the future I wanted to be able to give back in some way,” LaFlamme said. “Although the method was not clear for how I would achieve this, I knew that when the time was right an opportunity would present itself. God has a plan for all of us, it is not always clear what the plan may be, but strong faith usually drives you in the right direction.”

Currently, LaFlamme is the CEO of Biopharma Global, which is a US based nonprofit corporation that focuses on Orphan Drug Development on a global basis.

It is because of his time as a graduate student at IWU that LaFlamme created his career. “My management skills derived from the education I received at IWU. This allowed me to reach career heights I never imagined,” he explained. “I am convinced that my career would not have been possible had I not attended IWU and received the additional education and skills necessary to be successful. My faith was strong when I started at IWU, but I would say it became enhanced through interactions with my fellow students and instructors.

Biopharma Global is focused on helping individuals who have rare diseases. “It’s all about working with others to help get cures to the market place in an accelerated fashion,” LaFlamme said. “Our work is mission driven, which derived from my strong faith and belief that part of being is helping your fellow mankind in some form or fashion.”

Rick Carder, Director of Alumni & Church Engagement at IWU, said, “James is a remarkable individual. He combines his talents and his IWU education to make a significant difference in the world. He is indeed a world changer. The early days of our adult program were remarkable and the university drew together the incredible talents of people like James. They were not only shaped by our programs, but they helped develop what is today one of the most recognized education programs in the nation.”

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Written by Dezaray Barr, PR Specialist for the Alumni Office. Dezaray is a junior Strategic Communication and Honors Humanities double major at Indiana Wesleyan University in the John Wesley Honors College. At IWU, Dezaray runs both the JWHC Blog and her own blog. Visit Dez’s website at www.dezaraybarr.weebly.com.