Leaders of Tomorrow Summit

As I mentioned in my last post, I was invited to attend the Leaders of Tomorrow Business Summit. This was an event that Laurier was hosting immediately following their March Break Open House. Although initially I had no idea what the event was, after attending the event I can say that it truly was a wonderful experience.

After a quick keynote address by Greg Overholt, the founder of SOS (Students Offering Support), Laura Allan, the Professor of the mandatory first year business class BU121 took the stage. Professor Allan gave a very comprehensive presentation about Laurier’s business program, what life was like as a Laurier business student, and why we should choose Laurier as our home. 

As an audience member, I was able to learn about various projects and competitions that would be in my future, such as the New Venture Competition, the PepsiCo Pitch Competition, and ICE week, I was able to learn how Laurier ranked on both a national and an international level, in terms of academics, volunteer opportunities, and student involvement, and I was also able to get a taste of what a first-year lecture would be like. Professor Allan closed her presentation with an interactive scenario, where we as audience members were able to work together to reach a solution. In her example, we were forced to decide the fate of poor Lucy, a janitor who, although well-liked, just wasn’t performing as well as her colleagues. 

Following that, we were allowed to attend two out of a possible ten Breakout Sessions. As a Double Degree student, I opted for the Double Degree session as well as Entrepreneurship. These were short, twenty minute sessions with information ranging from commuting between the two schools, Laurier’s co-op program, intramurals, and first-year time obligations to the various entrepreneurial tools and programs that Laurier provides to all of their students. Launchpad, an incubator with the purpose of helping Laurier students and alumni to grow their businesses, is an example of one of the tools available for budding entrepreneurs. 

The final item on the agenda was a Question and Answer session with a few current students. This was a good opportunity for everyone to get a better understanding of life as a student, since previously most of our information had come from members of the faculty. 

Once that was finished, we were able to enjoy the wonderful meal that Laurier provided. Each table had a mixture of prospective students and parents, current students, as well as faculty members, and I was lucky enough enough to be seated at a table with Dr. Micheál Kelly, the Dean for the School of Business and Economics. After a wonderful dinner and great conversation with everyone at the table, it was time to head home. The Business Summit included lots of important information that any incoming student would be foolish to pass on. In reflection, I am very glad I chose to attend!