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Business professor spotlights Portugal’s impact on global industry

Posted on Friday, March 08, 2024

Bustling market square in Lisbon

Portugal’s pioneering spirit during the age of exploration lives on in modern day as it expands its influence in the world of entrepreneurship.

Dr. Linda McMullen, Ely R. Callaway Sr. Business Professor and Chair, will close out the 14th season of 3D Journeys with her presentation “From Airbnb to Unbabel” on Monday, March 11, at 10 a.m., in Dickson Assembly Room at Turner Hall.

“I will share an overview of industries and specific businesses that have entered Portugal successfully or increased their footprint over the last several years,” she said.

When preparing for her Portugal lecture, Dr. McMullen said she was intrigued by the amount of innovative, entrepreneurial SMEs (small to medium enterprises) that are a part of the Portuguese economy.

“A number of these businesses are related to things we would expect like technology and finance, for instance,” she said. “But there are also companies like Medical Port, which facilitates global medical tourism that are making their mark. And these are taking root in cities like Porto, that offer a balance of traditional expressions of culture with a modern business environment.”

First arriving at LaGrange as director of LaGrange’s evening college in 1999, Dr. McMullen became an Assistant Professor of Management in 2004, and then Associate Professor and Chair of the Business Department. She also served as co-director of the college’s Cornerstone First Year Experience program from 2019-2021.

She received a bachelor’s degree in human resource management and a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Geneva College. In addition, Dr. McMullen earned a second master’s degree as well as a doctorate in human and organizational systems from Fielding Graduate University.

After taking part in an intensive seminar in Oregon some years ago, she said she got hooked on how culture plays a role in business practices.

“Encouraging my students to think beyond the hard data to understand the why of business from a cultural lens is important to me,” she said.

3D Journeys will be a new experience for Dr. McMullen, who is a first-time speaker for the annual lecture and travel series.

“I look forward to sharing my knowledge with a group of eager learners,” she said. “I hope attendees gain an increased curiosity about the cultural frameworks that impact global business operations.”

Ann Beason, who co-chairs the volunteer 3D committee with Lauranne Buchanan, said Dr. McMullen is a welcome addition to the series.

“Linda is a generous, thoughtful and knowledgeable speaker who has much to share,” she said.

An optional trip to Portugal will be hosted by President Susanna Baxter and First Gentleman Mark Huffman March 18-29.

Attendees are asked to park in the lot behind Sunny Gables Alumni House, 910 Broad Street; a shuttle beginning at 9:30 a.m. will take guests to the door. An optional Dutch-treat lunch will be available in Pitts Dining Hall following the session.

For more information, call 706-880-8244 or email 3DJourneys@vko29.com.

The lecture will be available to view on the college’s YouTube channel by the Friday following the event.

 

Campus Notes

  • Philanthropy Celebration Week will kick off Monday, March 11. The week’s events include:

        Monday – Philanthro-pop, 11 a.m., Caswell Plaza. Students write thank-you letters to donors and get popsicles afterwards.

       Tuesday – Philanthropic pickles, 6 p.m., Cleaveland Field. There will be $1 pickles available at the LC Baseball Game (while supplies last).

       Wednesday – Jellybean guessing game, 11 a.m., Pitts Dining Hall. The person with the closest guess will receive a new LC Tumbler.

       Thursday– Cake walk, 11:30 a.m., Caswell Plaza. The campus community can play for the chance to win baked goods.

       Friday– Lemonade stand, 11 a.m., Caswell Plaza. Quench your thirst with a refreshing drink. Only $1 per cup.poli-sci-conference-1.jpg

  • Political Science students Katie Gonzalez ’26, Ema Turner ’24, and Méabh Fyfe ’25 recently presented research projects at the Atlanta Symposium on Political Science, a Georgia State University graduate student conference. Gonzalez presented her comparison of U.S. and Israeli foreign policy. Turner shared her stats on Cannabis legalization and incarceration rates. Fyfe discussed her research on how the Israeli-Gaza Conflict is playing out in Northern Ireland. Pictured from left to right are Gonzalez, Turner, GSU Political Science Professor Dr. Sean Richey and Fyfe.
  • The college will host the National History Day West Georgia regional competition on Friday, March 8. Middle and high school students will give presentations related to the theme “Turning Points in History.” For more information on National History Day, visit the event website.
  • Political Science Professor Dr. John Tures was recently interviewed by Montreal's Newspaper La Presse about the State of the Union Address.
  • Daylight Saving Time will begin this weekend. Clocks will be turned ahead one hour.

 

Collegiate Enrichment

International Business of Portugal by Dr. Linda McMullen

Monday, March 11

10 a.m., Dickson Assembly Room

  • For the closing lecture of 3D Journeys’ 14th season, Business Professor Dr. Linda McMullen will present “From Airbnb to Unbabel: International Business in Portugal Viewed Through a Cultural Lens.”

Philanthro-pop

Monday, March 11

11 a.m., Caswell Plaza

  • Students are invited to write a thank you letter to a donor. Popsicles will be available while supplies last.

Speed Viewing

Tuesday, March 12

11 a.m., Dickson Assembly Room

  • Career Services will host a speed interviewing event, designed for students to help them prepare for their future careers.

David Haase: Academic Support in Athletics

Tuesday, March 12

11 a.m., Corn Auditorium

  • David Haase, Senior Associate Athletic Director at the University of West Georgia, will be talking about his role at the institution and the positions available in academic support in college athletic administration.

Defining You: Mastering the Art of Boundaries

Tuesday, March 12

4 p.m., Bailey Room

  • The Counseling Center will hold a group workshop on boundary setting and building healthy relationships. The objective of this event is for students to learn effective coping techniques and communications skills, while engaging in conversations that promote personal growth.

Master the Bow Tie

Thursday, March 14

11 a.m., Corn Auditorium

  • Dr. John Head, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Experience, and DeVante King, Student Life Coordinator, will share how to display professionalism in the workplace. Each participant will receive a complimentary bowtie which can be used during the event and kept as a souvenir. Reservations must be made in advance by contacting Careers Services Coordinator Kimberly Johnson at kjohnson@vko29.com.

New Ventures of LaGrange

Thursday, March 14

11:15 a.m., Jolly Room, Callaway Science Building

  • Join Spiritual Life in learning about the work of New Ventures of LaGrange. Founded in 1971, New Ventures Inc. has been serving as a job training program in Troup County for 50 years.

Registration Party

Friday, March 15

11 a.m., Caswell Plaza/Lewis Library

  • This event will give students the opportunity to speak with faculty, staff and advisors about the upcoming term.

 

Video of the Week

3D Journeys-Dr. Linda McMullen "Business in Portugal"

Dr. Linda McMullen, International Business Professor at LaGrange College, will bring her considerable expertise to 3D Journeys on Monday, March 11.

The lecture will begin at 10 a.m. in Turner Hall.

 

Sports

Baseball

Game against Nichols

The Panthers had a 10-4 win, a 12-11 loss and a 17-2 win in their home series against Nichols College last weekend. Their game this past Tuesday at Emory was canceled due to rain. The team travels to North Carolina to take on N.C. Wesleyan March 9-10. The first two games are on Saturday at 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. The third and final game will be on Sunday at noon. LC will host Berry College on Tuesday, March 12, at 6 p.m.

Softball

Game against Meredith

LC dropped both of its away doubleheaders to Pfeiffer on Saturday, March 2, and Meredith on Sunday, March 3. The team hosted Concordia Wisconsin on Wednesday, March 6, and lost both games. 

Men’s Tennis

Match against Oglethorpe

The Panthers fell 0-9 to Oglethorpe in a home match on Saturday, March 2. The team hits the road to face Belhaven on Saturday, March 9.

Women’s Tennis

Female team competes against Oglethorpe

LC lost 0-9 in a home match against Oglethorpe on Saturday, March 2. The team will travel to Mississippi to take on Belhaven on Saturday, March 9.

Lacrosse

Game against Hendrix

The Panthers hosted their first home game of the year on Friday, March 1. Hendrix was able to pull away late to get a 12-16 win over the Panthers. The team plays Carroll University at home on Sunday, March 10, at 1 p.m. They will host Spalding at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 13.

Golf

Tournament in Savannah

LC started its season with the Savannah Invitational March 4-5. Sophomore Jeremy Edmunds finished with a Panther best plus-two score in this year’s Invitational. This placed him at 24 of the 95 players. The team does not play next week.

Beach Volleyball

beach-volleyball-march-8-1.png

The Panthers will host Truett McConnell University on Tuesday, March 12, at 4 p.m.

 

Panther Calendar

(Please note that schedules may change due to circumstances beyond our control. Please check www.lagrangepanthers.com to confirm.)

Saturday, March 9 – Women’s Tennis at Belhaven, 1 p.m., Jackson, Mississippi

Saturday, March 9 – Men’s Tennis at Belhaven, 1 p.m., Jackson, Mississippi

Saturday, March 9 – Baseball at N.C. Wesleyan, 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., Rocky Mount, North Carolina

Sunday, March 10 – Baseball at N.C. Wesleyan, noon, Rocky Mount, North Carolina

Sunday, March 10 – Lacrosse (Home) vs. Carroll (Wisconsin), 1 p.m., Callaway Stadium

Tuesday, March 12 – Beach Volleyball (Home) vs. Truett McConnell University, 4 p.m., Strack Beach Volleyball Courts

Tuesday, March 12 – Baseball (Home) vs. Berry, 6 p.m., Cleaveland Field at Williamson Stadium

Wednesday, March 13 – Lacrosse (Home) vs. Spalding, 6 p.m., Callaway Stadium

Thursday, March 14 – Softball (Home) vs. Washington (Missouri), 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., Callaway Stadium

Category: Community, College, Events

Keywords: Education, Entrepreneurship

Last updated: 03/12/2024