The staff of the College of Business and Technology has devised a competition known as Bizteknia for the CBT 111 Classes to provide a business-like atmosphere for the freshman students.
Bizteknia was born in the fall of 2007, after The Dean of the College of Business and Technology came up with the idea to have a friendly competition in the CBT 111 classes. Donna Anderson, Omar Brown and Dean Hal Langford all collaborated on the idea.
All first year students are required to take the CBT 111 class, which is designed to provide a smooth transition from high school to university life and provide the academic and social skills needed to be successful during the first year of college.
In Bizteknia, each CBT 111 class works as a team against other classes for points. Points are earned by attending campus-wide events and by each team’s participation in a service project of their choice.
“Bizteknia provides a competitive environment for the CBT 111 classes.” Tina Lancaster, an instructor and Mentor of Business Administration & MIS said. “Bizteknia is designed to make the CBT 111 class more fun and interesting for the students. The competition emulates a business-like environment because it forces teams to work together and compete against other classes.”
Each class must attend certain campus-wide events together and dress in business-casual attire on the class assigned day.
“Many students often complain about attending the assigned events.” Lancaster said. “But after attending most seem to have enjoyed going.”
Right now there are 6 different CBT 111 classes going on during the fall semester. Tina Lancaster, Omar Brown, and David Bennett teach the combined classes.
Each of the six classes has chosen a service project to participate in. The class must learn to work as a team and by doing so they give back to the community. The students grow by stepping out of their comfort zones and learn to operate as a team.
Lancaster’s first class chose to have a canned food drive for The Cumby Food Pantry, which will start on Oct. 7 and end on Oct. 21.
Lancaster’s second class chose to host a Karaoke Night benefiting the Sulfur Springs Veterans of Foreign Wars. The Sulfur Springs VFW building recently burned down and the funds will go to helping rebuild it. “This service project not only helps the VFW, but also gives our class the experience of managing finances and events which could be beneficial in the future.” Brendan Samples a freshman, industrial engineering major said.
Brown’s first class chose to do a pancake breakfast for their service project. The breakfast was held at Mak’s Place in downtown Commerce this past Saturday. The class raised about $400 to help provide tutors and buy educational materials for local school children in surrounding schools.
“I gave the students total creative control on this project and I believe it was a success,” Omar Brown, instructor and mentor for marketing and management said.
Brown second class has selected to do a blanket drive in a karaoke format. Entrance to the event would be $5 or to donate a blanket. The items and money will go to a shelter for the homeless, in the Dallas area. This event will take place Oct. 17 in the Club on Campus.
Bennett’s classes are also doing a service project. Their service project is a food drive for the Food Pantry in Commerce. This will be a weeklong event starting Oct. 19.
For more information about Bizteknia or any of the service projects please contact Tina Lancaster at Tina_Lancaster@tamu-commerce.edu.