Management Classes Donate to Three Youth Organizations

SALISBURY, MD---Experiential education approaches at Salisbury University paid off for three local non-profit organizations this semester. Students enrolled in the Franklin P. Perdue School of Business' Sales Management classes this spring raised some $4,500 for three youth-related organizations: the West Salisbury Youth Club, Wicomico Mentoring Project and Character Counts! Instead of engaging in role-played sales presentations, the students did the real thing. Over the course of the semester, they researched appropriate target markets, developed sales plans and called on business customers.  Many student groups exceeded their sales "quota" of $300. One group raised close to $750. “Students have commented on how much they've learned through the process and how challenging it is to ‘sell’ to business customers,” said Dr. Debbie Easterling, who teaches the courses. “Directors of the three organizations-the Rev. Mark Thompson of West Salisbury Youth Club, Henrietta Parker of the Wicomico Mentoring Project and Dick Allen of Character Counts!-have been entirely enthusiastic about the project and have expressed gratitude for the results.” Students present the donations-as well as information on their projects-to the non-profit directors during finals week. For more information call 410-543-6030 or visit the SU Web site at www.salisbury.edu.