The School of Business recently established Think Differently, a campus-wide forum that explores and discusses minority viewpoints on critical business, political, economic, and other current topics that are possibly controversial and in the news headlines.  The forum is made possible by Stephen Pond, chairman and CEO of The Education Center and member of the School’s Board of Governors, whose generous endowment will fund it on an ongoing basis.

Think Differently is a new, campus-wide initiative, hosted by the School of Business and coordinated by Dean Shao’s Student Forum.  The program’s objective is to expose students to minority points of view that are outside of the main stream of campus thought on issues that have societal importance and interest. This strategy will empower students to consider multiple perspectives when problem solving.

“We are extremely grateful to Mr. Pond for the generous donation that specifically fosters cross-campus dialogue on a variety of topics,” says Alan T. Shao, Dean of the School of Business.  “Our forum will create a constructive, learning environment that is beneficial to our entire campus community.”

The School of Business plans to hold two major events each academic year and bring in expert panelists and moderators to present various points of view and to challenge assumptions and popular opinions.

The first forum will be held on Wednesday, April 7 at 7 p.m. in the McAlister Hospitality Room at the Carolina First Arena.  The topic is “Imagine it…College of Charleston Football.  Should we or shouldn’t we?”

The event will bring together a group of expert panelists who represent various perspectives on the topic.  These panelists include:

  • Mac Everett, former UNC- Charlotte Trustee who lead the University’s Football Feasibility Committee and retired Senior Executive Vice President and Director of Corporate and Community Affairs for Wachovia Bank
  • Dan Shoemaker, Vice President of Collegiate Development for ESPN Sports
  • Anita Zucker, CEO of InterTech, owner of the Charleston Stingrays and chairperson of the School of Business Board of Governors
  • Joe Hull, Athletic Director for the College of Charleston.

The event, moderated by Ken Burger, former executive sports editor and current metro columnist for The Post and Courier, will engage the campus community in a lively debate of the pros and cons of having a football team at the College.

The event is free and open to all students, faculty and staff.  Door prizes will also be awarded and refreshments will be served.