Frequently Asked Questions
Newel K. Whitney Society
Why the Newel K. Whitney Society?
Newel K. Whitney was an early member of the Church who built thriving businesses in Kirtland, Ohio that helped strengthen the Church and provided essential means to build the temple. Brother Whitney stands as an example of faith, industry and innovation; someone who magnified the opportunities provided him and improved upon his stewardship. The Newel K. Whitney Society seeks to build students who magnify the opportunities provided them here at BYU-Idaho.
What does the Whitney Society seek to accomplish?
The Whitney Society seeks to create Employable Quality Graduates and Disciple Leaders by helping students apply knowledge taught in the classroom and expand upon it—to gain experience, skills, and leadership through extracurricular involvement. This is accomplished according to the course suggested in the College of Business and Communication’s Career Map.
The Whitney Society accomplishes this by focusing on three main activities:
- Put on events and programs where students can apply and showcase their skills
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Make students aware of the organizations and opportunities to get involved within the college
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Provide leadership opportunities as student officers or Whitney Fellows
When does the Whitney Society meet?
There are no meetings. The Whitney Society does not seek loyalty from a general membership. The society is organized similar to the activities program, with a group of student leaders working under the direction of Administration. The Whitney Society strives instead to have students get involved in the events and programs provided within the College of Business and Communication and become loyal to other societies and organizations.
What are some of the events and programs put on by the Whitney Society?
Business Springboard—competition for current new entrepreneurs to gain additional funding to help propel their business
Business Plan Competition—competition for entrepreneurs who have not yet launched their business—candidates are judged according to presentation of a business plan
Entrepreneur of the Year Competition—competition to award an exceptional student entrepreneur who is already in business
Case Study Competition—team case study competition with cases in three different categories
Public Speaking Competition—competition that judges individual speeches on a current event
Student Involvement Fair—fair that gathers nearly all the organizations of the College of Business and Communication in one place where students can learn about them
Whitney Fellow Program—honors achievement program, patterned somewhat like an Eagle Scout award, where students fulfill certain requirements in order to receive an award and become an official “Fellow”
How can I become involved in the Whitney Society?
Because there is no general membership, involvement in the society is achieved in 3 other ways:
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Involvement in the events put on by the society
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Involvement in the Whitney Fellow program
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Involvement as an officer (recruiting occurs at the beginning of each semester)
