Marketing Club Project Exemplifies Service Learning

The University of Findlay Marketing Club, using innovative technology, has launched a sustainable project that is contributing to an endowed scholarship fund.
Members created 1,200 key chains, sporting UF’s new academic logo, with a 3D printer that the club recently purchased. They then sold the product to the school for distribution to new and prospective students, and other campus visitors.
On Wednesday, the club presented a check for $87.50, to be deposited into the Six Disciplines Entrepreneurial Scholarship Fund. Additionally, Six Disciplines Founder Gary Harpst has pledged to match the Marketing Club’s contributions to the fund.
“The College of Business is really big on experiential learning. With this, we’ve created something outside of the classroom,” and gained valuable knowledge while doing so, said member Tyler Adkins, a freshman.
“This is also about the students doing something to get scholarship money for other students,” noted Milena Velez, assistant director for graduate and transfer admissions. She characterized the project as “very indicative of the community we have here. You don’t usually see students thinking this way at other places.”
“It’s a great item to give to perspective students, to plant that seed regarding the Findlay way, what we do, the pay-it-forward kind of mindset that we have,” said William Johnston, assistant director for the Oiler Experience.
The Marketing Club developed the idea just prior to UF’s brand launch in March. Member Jacob Wauters, a sophomore created the design by converting branding image files to 3D software. Senior Anne Frieders, an accounting major who had already used the printer to create horseshoe ornaments for the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association’s tree in the campus’ Deck the Tree event, assisted the club with creating the key chains. Members also created invoices and a product plan, and developed production scheduling.
About two months were spent making the product during shifts. A total of 2,700 more key chains have been ordered for admissions officers to hand out.
“The Marketing Club’s keychain project is an outstanding example of experiential learning,” said Harpst. “This club exhibits the marks of business success by combining the ability to identify a need and mix the latest technology with old fashioned hustle. All businesses are looking for people who come to them with this kind of applied learning already ‘under their belt,’” he explained.

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