Larsen Leaders Academy Welcomes New Students in Fall Initiation
Thursday, November 18, 2021
Krannert welcomed a new group of promising Larsen Leaders Academy students to their freshman year of college at the academy’s August 17, 2021, initiation. The students were given the opportunity to hear from and network with an impressive lineup of faculty, staff, industry leaders, fellow students, and dedicated alumni.
Academy director Steve Shelby and LLA Executive Student Board President and finance major Elizabeth Stallman welcomed the new group over breakfast.
“Initiation is a great opportunity for us to meet and get to know the incoming Larsen students,” Stallman said. “My favorite part of the event is being able to tell the students about my experiences and about things I wish I had known when I was in their position.”
Students were welcomed to this next chapter in their lives by Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs Dr. Charlene Sullivan, and heard from David Hummels, the Dr. Samuel R. Allen Dean of the Krannert School of Management, on the current state of affairs at Purdue.
The nearly day-long event continued with an overview of the Krannert Professional Development Center and CareerBound, Krannert’s new career readiness program; a networking 101 session; and an industry panel that addressed current and future industry wants and needs.
Jon Ferency, the senior strategic director of business development for the Purdue Research Foundation, moderated the industry panel, which included several LLA alumni.
“It was wonderful to see the future of LLA and I left the event very impressed by the students’ professionalism,” said LLA alumna Morgan Montgomery, a continuous improvement leader at Rolls-Royce.
“The skills that LLA is teaching incoming initiates will help them in whatever field interests them after graduation. Krannert is giving them a great support system and foundation,” Montgomery said.
Rounding out the panel were:
- Tony Denhart of General Electric
- Candice Hall of Stanley Security
- Bob Lazard of Crowe, LLC
- Mark Linville of Rolls-Royce
- Morgan Montgomery of Rolls-Royce
- Brad Rhorer of Conexus
- Chase Walter of Crowe, LLC
- Kelsey Walter of Crowe, LLC
Over lunch, Krannert’s new Larsen students heard from keynote speakers Marshall and Susan Larsen, who established LLA in 2018. Krannert alumnus and Dean’s Advisory Council member Marshall (MSIA ’77) and his wife, Susan, spoke about learning on the job and life outside the classroom. They were followed by a student panel that described the benefits of being a Larsen student and shared sage advice.
“The main advice I gave the new students was to take advantage of the benefits and opportunities presented to them,” said academy student Alex Scarcelli. “Don’t take it for granted, because being part of LLA really does give you a boost in your career. The workshops and other events Larsen puts on are a great way to learn important skills employers are looking for in potential hires.”
Scarcelli also touted the benefits of getting involved in the Larsen Academy Mentor Program (LAMP), in which LLA juniors and seniors mentor freshman and sophomore LLA students.
“Finally, I told students not to be afraid to apply for an executive board position,” Scarcelli said. “It’s a great way to get leadership experience while also making an impact on the academy. Even if you don’t get onto the board your first year, interviewing practice only makes you better, so don’t be afraid to keep trying.”
After a networking activity dubbed “Let’s Get Started!” the newest LLA students took some pictures and were sent off to Purdue’s orientation program Boiler Gold Rush, primed to take their next giant leaps into the future.
“I was pretty nervous to enter Purdue and meet new people,” said new Larsen student Helena Ho. “My favorite part about initiation was getting to meet the other LLA students. I also had the opportunity to get to know some of the guest speakers, and they gave me some very helpful advice for my future as a finance major.”