Student Organizations
To cultivate communication, organizational, and networking skills, the School sponsors eight student organizations. These organizations also serve as conduits between career professionals and students. The organizations sponsored by the School of Business are listed below:
American Business Women's Association (ABWA)
Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization (CEO)
International Business Society (IBS)
Washburn Accounting Society (WAS)
Washburn Finance Society (WFS)
Washburn Sales and Marketing Executives (WSME)
Professional Business Leaders (PBL)
The Dean’s Student Advisory Council (DSAC)
Student Human Resources Club (SHRC)
American Business Women’s Association (ABWA)
The ABWA Student Group became a nationally registered chapter in November 2004. The primary purpose of ABWA is a networking avenue for students to link with local, state, and national female leaders and business professionals. The Washburn student ABWA chapter is the fifth student group in the United States to form in the United States. The other four chapters are at Ohio State, Arizona State, Texas A&M, and the University of Kansas. Community business professionals have been featured speakers. Contact the 2008 President at janel.logan@washburn.edu.
Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization (CEO)
CEO was organized to study the exciting world of venture creation and entrepreneurship. The Washburn chapter of the national organization was founded in 2000. The club is open to any student enrolled in any program at Washburn. Building bridges, fostering initiative, and innovation among students are keywords defining the club. The club members present their business ideas in CEO meetings. Each year they invite entrepreneurs from Topeka and Northeast Kansas to share with them their new venture stories. The club also sponsors the E-FIG, the Entrepreneurship Freshman Interest Group. Washburn students have participated in the CEO National Meeting each year since the club was founded in 2000. Want more information or need to know the next meeting date? Contact the 2008 President at tamika.sellars@washburn.edu.
International Business Society (IBS)
The International Business Society was formed in 2004 with 10 members. The objective of the organization is to study the changing international business environment. The society has most of its meetings at ethnic restaurants in the area, and invites individuals to speak at the meetings who are in some way involved in international business. Speakers include those in the management of firms doing business internationally, agricultural firms, banks, and government. The society encourages students to consider a minor in international business and study abroad. Students who have studied abroad talk to the society about their experiences. The IBS is open to all students at the University who are interested in international business. Want more information or need to know the next meeting date? Contact the 2008 President at chance.hoskins@washburn.edu.
Washburn Accounting Society (WAS)
The Washburn Accounting Society is a scholastic and professional accounting association. The objectives of the society are the promotion of the study and practice of accounting; the creation of opportunities for self-development and association among members and practicing accountants; and the encouragement of a sense of ethical, social, and public responsibility. The society has an annual banquet sponsored by a local certified public accounting firm and also has a luncheon at the beginning of each semester to welcome new and returning members. Speakers at the Society’s monthly meetings and the annual banquet have included Howard Fricke, Chairman of the Board at Security Benefit Group; Michael Kongs, CFO at St. Francis Hospital; Mark Ruelle, CFO at Westar Energy; and Ginger Powell, Managing Member of Berberich Tranhan & Co. P.A. Several past members of the Washburn Accounting Society have become chief executive officers, chief financial officers, controllers and members of certified public accounting firms. Want more information or need to know the next meeting date? Contact the 2008 President at bailey.graf@washburn.edu.
Washburn Finance Society (WFS)
The Washburn Finance Society attracts students from all areas with the common link being an interest in finance. WFS was formed in 1993. Since that time, many student members have gone on to graduate studies at prestigious schools and have attained key financial positions in the business world. WFS holds ongoing social events, sponsors guest speakers, and educational trips including an annual visit to such sites as the New York Stock 
Exchange. Other annual activities typically include involvement in homecoming festivities, charitable works, and fundraisers. Each year, members attend Redefining Investment Strategy Education (R.I.S.E.) symposium in Dayton, Ohio. This educational symposium brings together leading students from colleges and universities throughout the United States, and experts from the business world. Want more information or need to know the next meeting date? Contact the 2009 President at brandon.holle@washburn.edu.
Washburn Sales and Marketing Executives (WSME)
The WSME is open to any student at Washburn University who has an interest in marketing, sales, advertising, public relations, or any other area of marketing. The group works closely with the Topeka Sales and Marketing Executives, International. Once a month, a group of two or three students are invited to attend the SME Topeka monthly dinner meeting, where students get to network with area professionals. The group has gone to Chicago twice and to New Orleans to tour area businesses and attractions. The group engages in several fundraisers to earn money. Every year, WSME assists Junior Achievement with its annual fundraising auction. WSME holds meetings twice a month to discuss current business topics or to hear a guest speaker from the community. Want more information or need to know the next meeting date? Contact the 2009 President at nicole.perkuhn@washburn.edu.
Professional Business Leaders (PBL)
PBL is our newest student organization sponsored by the School of Business. Want more information or need to know the next meeting date? Contact the 2008 President at brady.rothrock@washburn.edu.
The Dean’s Student Advisory Council (DSAC)
Presidents of all School-sponsored student organizations, as well as other students nominated by faculty, are invited to meet for lunch with the Dean on a regular basis throughout the academic year. Students in attendance represent all six School major areas of concentration and interact with the Dean on issues related to their Washburn educational experiences. In addition, several members serve on the Dicus Teaching Award Committee.
Student Human Resources Club (SHRC)
The Student Human Resources Club was formed on February 27, 2008. Any Washburn student may join this club. Why join SHRC? This club can help you learn more about human resource management, by joining you will give yourself opportunities to develop a network that will help you find internships, jobs, and scholarships. By joining you will also give yourself access to a wide variety of resources that the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the Topeka Local Chapter of SHRM (Local Chapter #0428) have available. Perhaps you need research opportunities. Human Resources is the hub of many academic disciplines. The spokes of the HR wheel include law, sociology, psychology, operations management, and finance. Human Resources is a laboratory where theories from the social sciences, law, and business studies can be tested and refined. Whatever your major, we urge you to attend an SHRC meeting! Contact the 2008-2009 president at kenneth.bruntz@washburn.edu.
