Brown School of Business and Leadership

On Friday, April 28th the Fashion and Apparel Design Club hosted their 6th annual Brunch with Bosses event. Fashion merchandising and design students were invited to learn from and connect with industry professionals at the “Tour De Brunch” themed brunch. There were six “bosses” in attendance: Erin Boggs (Under Armour/ SU Alum), Mary Kate Gagliardi (Patagonia/ SU Alum), Aaron Hernandez(Christopher Schaefer Clothier/ SU Alum), Finn Reyes (Ralph Lauren/ SU Alum), Michelle Shawyer (Wee Chic and Girl Hero) and Kaitlyn Weekman (Lilly Pulitzer). During the insightful panel discussion, they shared details about career journeys and gave advice on how to stand out to employers during the job application process. The major takeaways were to have a strong portfolio, make connections, and find a niche within the industry.

Students were dressed for success in their professional attire and had their resumes ready for the networking brunch. Attendees spent the rest of the afternoon getting to know each other personally while enjoying a delicious meal catered by Terri’s Café. Senior, Fashion Merchandising major, Kaiyanna Fleming networked with the panelists that were Stevenson alum and received tips and tricks for landing a position after graduation. Students are eager about the next Brunch with Bosses event.

Dr. Miller’s MKT 311 Consumer Behavior classes took strides to improve society through exciting service projects this semester. Students worked in groups to formulate marketing plans for two clients from the Greater Baltimore Medical Center Healthcare (GBMC)and Maryland SPCA (MDSPCA).

Ariana Haywood, RN at GMBC and Melissa Welsh, Community Partners Manager of the MDSPCA visited the classes to provide insight into certain needs SU students could support within their organizations. From there, students divided into two groups and focused on what they could do to address the specific needs that were shared.

Experiential learning is a major component of this marketing course. The application of coursework within this project has given students valuable hands-on experiences. After each group of students determined their goals for the service project, it was up to them to identify a target market and to create marketing tactics that will help them accomplish those goals. Last semester, students made creative social media posts, compelling digital content, and online fundraising platforms like GoFundMe. This allowed them to reach audiences that were willing to make donations .Approximately 1500 donations were made to the MDSPCA and GBMC.

Throughout the month of April, students set up donation boxes and hung promotional flyers around campus. Items such as dog and cat food, towels, food bowls, and toys for the MDSPCA and grab-n-go food items for the GBMC were collected. Support from all students and faculty for future service projects is appreciated. We are proud of our Mustangs’ dedication and enthusiasm to give back to their community, and we commend them for making a difference!

With a career spanning over half a century, Victoria J. Doby, D.B.A, C.P.A. is retiring from Stevenson University. Dr. Doby is a Maryland native that grew up in Loch Raven Village. She studied at Loyola University where she earned her B.A. in Business Administration and M.B.A with a concentration in Finance. Later, she obtained her D.B.A. in Accounting with a supporting field of Finance at The George Washington University. In the midst of earning her degrees, Dr. Doby worked for the Baltimore Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. At the Fed, she served in the Planning Department and then on the New Building Project.

Dr. Doby’s financial background, coupled with her husband’s recommendation to study Accounting and her professor’s recommendation to teach it, inspired her to pursue it as a career. Surely, being raised in a family of accountants had a positive impact on her career choice as well.

During her time at Stevenson, Dr. Doby served on the Members in Education Committee of the Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants (MACPA), including as co-Chair for 10 years. One of her memorable moments was testifying in Annapolis on behalf of Maryland educators to get requirements for taking the CPA exam changed back to 120 hours.

Her dedication to helping our Mustangs as both a Professor and Program Coordinator of Accounting was evident. Her favorite class to teach has been Advanced Accounting because that’s when “everything starts to connect for students”. The highlight of each year was always seeing her students walk the stage at graduation. Her most unforgettable moment at Stevenson was presenting her son with his diploma during commencement.

Dr. Doby has been married to her husband John Doby for almost 53 years. Together they raised John Doby, Jr., who is married to Lauren and has three children ages 4, 7, and 10. Dr. Doby loves watching her grandchildren’s lacrosse games and playing with her dog Ellie. Upon retirement, she is looking forward to spending more time with family and friends.

Needless to say, Dr. Doby has made an undeniable difference within the Stevenson community over the past 28 years. We thank her for all that she has done, and we send our best wishes for a happy retirement. Certainly, she will truly be missed.

Congratulations to the BSOBL Dell Scholarship recipient, Zachary Rutsch. Zak is a Business Administration Major with a double track in Sports Management & Finance from Maryland. He has received numerous honors and accolades for his academic achievements throughout his matriculation at Stevenson, including induction into Chi Alpha Sigma Honor Society and the National Society of Leadership and Success. Additionally, Zachary is a leadership scholar and star kicker on the football team. The University announced this February that the Middle Atlantic Conference named Rutsch to the All-MAC Second Team this fall. Both Zak and his former roommate JT (School of Science) were honored at the Dell Scholarship event held on March 22, 2023.

The Dell family holds a strong conviction that the future success of American enterprise in the global marketplace depends on uncompromising integrity, teamwork, sound understanding of and disciplined execution of effective business practices, and a strong work ethic. In recognition of Stevenson’s commitment to preparing the next generation of business leaders and scientists, Mr. and Mrs. Dell chose to endow a scholarship to recognize excellent students in both the Brown School of Business and Leadership and the Fine School of the Sciences. They hope to inspire students to develop the personal qualities and skills that will enable them to contribute to and be competitive in the global workforce.

On February 16th, Dr. Schiller’s Visual Merchandising class (FMER 360) was invited to Christopher Schafer Clothier to learn about visual merchandising practices in high end menswear and custom tailoring. Aaron Hernandez, store manager and Fashion Merchandising alum, shared with students his professional journey in menswear and how he merchandises the three-floor location.

Christopher Schafer Clothier is an upscale tailor shop that has locations in both Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, DC. Owner Christopher Schafer makes it the company’s mission to curate outfits that show off their clients’ personal styles. Students were treated to doughnuts and coffee as well as a Q&A at the end of the presentation with Mr. Hernandez.