Program Highlights
Leadership Development
Leadership development is based on the Lorminger Leadership Competencies that are selected specifically for the level of the students based on their progression in the program.
First-year Scholars
Presentation Skills
Conflict Management
Second-year Scholars
Negotiating Skills
Process Management
All Scholars
Annual challenge course team building event
Case Competitions
Three Saturdays per academic year devoted to case competition training
Scholars work in teams (lead by senior-level students) to analyze and present a solution to a specific business challenge to a panel of faculty and business professional judges. Prizes are awarded to the winning team. Previous prizes have included tuition credit, iPads and Microsoft Surfaces)
Mentorship
Each Scholar has an opportunity to receive mentorship from a business professional in various capacities.
Community
Each year, Scholars decide what community project or organization they want to engage to support.
2019-20 Schedule (click to expand)
| Date/Time | Activity |
| September 14 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. | 2019-2020 Scholars Kick-off and Team Building Event |
| September 28 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Case Competition Training |
| October 9 5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. | Mentee/Mentor Dinner Reception |
| October 26 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Case Competition |
| November 16 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Service and Professional Development Event |
| January 25 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Case Competition |
| February 15 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Service and Professional Development Event |
| April 15 5 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. | Scholars Program Celebration |
Meet the Scholars
 | Maria Major: Operations Management Campus involvement: Business Scholars Internship lessons: I have an Internship at Valeo, an automotive supplier. Although I did not have the expertise in the field or the product, I had the commitment to learn about our customers and competitors. What I learned from this experience is that it doesn't matter if you are not the most knowledgeable, smart or talented in the room. Be consistent, find a mentor and push yourself. What you lack in talent CAN be made up with hard work. |
 | Jesse Major: Pre-Business Campus involvement: OASIS, Grizz Gang, Business Scholars Why Oakland University: I chose Oakland University because I was aware that it had a strong business program, the campus is beautiful, and my brother lives close by. What makes Business Scholars interesting: The case competitions are very unique. They offer real solutions to real business situations. |
 | Kenzie Major: Finance Minor: Accounting Campus involvement: Business Scholars Internship lessons: Throughout my internship at an automotive supplier I learned it is important to ask as many questions as possible. Make the most of your experience as an intern by surrounding yourself with people who know more than you. Why major in business: I chose to major in business because of the diverse opportunity it presents. Many people who complete a major in a specific discipline end up working in different functions within a company. Taking the undergraduate courses and the business pre-core allows you to gain exposure to all business functions, which opens up different career paths. |
 | Lauren Major: Finance Campus involvement: Honors College, Business Scholars, Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society, Rotaract Club, CASA What makes Business Scholars interesting: The impact that the Business Scholars Program has made on my business education has been very positive and empowering. I have gathered knowledge and understanding of how the business world truly works and have learned that I am capable of enhancing it. The case competitions have strengthened my communication, time management and teamwork skills. These experiences have led me to be more of a critical thinker and to be very strategic when making decisions. I am also more confident in myself having been part of the Business Scholar Program at Oakland University. What Why major in business: I chose business because it offers a variety of career options that I can pursue in the future and is without limitations. I can use my creativity, intelligence and communication skills in the business world to amplify both products and companies. |
 | Madelyn Major: Pre-Business Campus involvement: Honors College, Alpha Lambda Delta, Chamber Orchestra, Women in Business, Academic Peer Mentor with University Housing What makes Business Scholars interesting: Working on real-world problems with peers while forming great relationships. Why major in business: I chose business because of the versatility in the field as well as the opportunities for growth and stability. |
 | Robert Major: Accounting Campus involvement: Business Transfer President, SOPE Ambassador, Business Scholar Why Oakland University: Most people will say I chose Oakland for Chick-Fil-A. The actual reason is challenge. I wanted a school that would constantly challenge me and engage me in and out of the classroom. Oakland University gave me a sense of pride and hope. As I got involved, I discovered new talents within myself and as I sit in lectures with wonderful faculty my sense of the surrounding business world is constantly growing. And, yes, maybe small fraction of me wanted Chick-Fil-A everyday until I graduate. Why major in business: I chose business because, quite simply put, it clicked. Negotiating, team building, collaboration, critical thinking, analytics are all factors as to why I chose to major in business. I have big visions for what direction I can see things going economically, politically and how that dynamic can alter the business field around us rapidly. I have a good sense of situational awareness for this area and with every class I take I find it easier than the last. |
 | Marcella Major: Management Information Systems Campus involvement: Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, Association for Information Systems, Business Scholars Internship lessons: I had a summer internship at Continental. I learned the importance of professional communication in the workplace and was able to apply concepts that I learned in the classroom in a real business setting. Why Oakland University:I chose Oakland because of its strong business school. Also, I really love the people and the beautiful campus. |
 | Alex Major: General Management Campus involvement: Community Council, Intramural sports, Business Scholars Internship lessons:At my internship at Plastic Omnium, I learned how vital internal and external communication is to the success of a company. Why major in business: I chose to major in business because of the competition within the field to be successful. |
 | Alexis |
 | Sarah Major: Marketing Campus involvement: Business Scholars Internship lessons: During my internship, that I discovered through OU, the most important lesson I've learned is to take advantage of all the opportunities you are given. Don't be afraid to ask questions and learn as much as you can in the workplace. Why Oakland University: I chose Oakland University because of its impressive academic programs, I liked the campus, and the ability to work during the school year at successful companies in the area. |
 | Samantha Major: Marketing Campus involvement: DECA, Business Scholars Why major in business: I was a political science major my freshman year because I always found government/civics interesting. I realized during my first semester, while I enjoyed learning about these areas, my post undergraduate opportunity would be very limited. I would need to go to graduate school to then find a job. I decided to take a MIS 1000 during second semester and thoroughly enjoyed the class. I switched officially my sophomore year and have not looked back ever since! Majoring in the business school allows me to learn about my major but also all aspects of business and how they are interrelated. What makes Business Scholars interesting: I appreciate the team collaboration aspect. The program takes students' expertise from all knowledge areas and apply them to real business issues. |
 | Penny Major: Pre-Business Campus involvement: Business Scholars, SOPE Why major in business: I love the professional and personal aspects that come along with business. You need to dive into a situation and come up with solutions and figure out why the problems arose. Why Oakland University: For the personability of smaller class sizes, distance, and the wonderful programs offered. |
 | Angelina Major: Marketing Minor: Entrepreneurship Campus involvement: Meadow Brook Ball Committee, Beta Gamma Sigma, Golden Key, Business Scholars What makes Business Scholars interesting: The most interesting aspect of the Scholars program is the networking. We make so many great connections with students, staff and business professionals. We also get to experience real-time business problems and have the opportunity to show our creativity in problem solving. Internship lessons: I had a Marketing and PR internship at a small retail boutique. The most important lesson learned from that experience was that it is beneficial to explore all your options to find what is the best job-fit for you. |
 | Juliauna Major: Marketing Minor: Business Analytics Campus involvement: Honors College, Alpha Lambda Delta, Housing, Business Scholars What makes Business Scholars interesting: Definitely the case competitions. They force you to work effectively within a team of like-minded peers with diverse knowledge and backgrounds. They challenge you to think critically and creatively, and to work competitively. Even if you don't win, you still learn so much from each case and the judges who offer feedback and advice for future competitions. Why Oakland University: I chose OU because it offered me the most scholarship money out of all the other universities that I applied to. It was after attending that I realized this was the school for me. I like the size of the university, the amount of opportunities offered, and the number of free resources provided to me. |
 | Jacob Major: Marketing Minor: International Management Campus involvement: Honors College, Bear Bus, OU Housing, Business Scholars Why major in business: I like to form connections with new people. I enjoy networking. Internship lessons: I learned that Marketing is much more involved than most people think. |
 | Luis Major: Finance Campus involvement: Recreational Soccer, Business Scholars Why major in business: One day I would like to have a business of my own, and I wanted to learn how I can make it as successful as possible from the lessons taught in school and this program. What makes Business Scholars interesting: The experience and skills that you develop by learning from the case studies and the team collaboration that it involves. |
 | Navneet Major: Economics Campus involvement: Business Scholars Why major in business: I chose my major because I want to be someone who has the answers to questions that people ask. A person who has knowledge in Economics. What makes Business Scholars interesting: Being able to work with students in different years of college and gain their wisdom and tips. |
 | Jennifer Major: Business Analytics and Spanish Campus involvement: Business Scholars, Honors College, Business Honors Program Why major in business: I chose to study business because it presents countless opportunities for employment and will provide a solid foundation for graduate school. What makes Business Scholars interesting: Interacting with actual companies in solving live case studies. |
