Disciplined and collaborative efforts were the driving forces behind a pair of Eli Broad College of Business teams as they rowed towards the finish line at the Capital City Dragon Boat Race fundraiser Sunday, Sept. 16 at Hawk Island Park in Lansing, which benefited the Women’s Center of Greater Lansing.
The “Broad Means Business” team rows toward the finish line at the Capital City Dragon Boat Race on Sept. 16, 2018
The Women’s Center is a nonprofit that provides career and personal counseling, support groups, and other services for women in need.
This year’s event had a healthy turnout, with many participants partaking in the fun for the first time to support this rewarding cause. This year, nine of the 20 registered teams were affiliated with MSU, including two teams from the Broad College: one representing the college at large and the other the college’s Executive MBA program.
The main Broad team — consisting of the college’s students, staff, and faculty — was named “Broad Means Business.”
The “Broad Means Business” team takes a break at the Capital City Dragon Boat Race on Sept. 16
“At the Eli Broad College of Business, our mission is to create and disseminate knowledge through collaborative relationships while developing transformational leaders who make business happen,” said “Broad Means Business” team captain Antoinette Tessmer of the Department of Finance. “Our team of paddlers will carry the Broad mission on race date: through disciplined collaborative effort, we will lead our boat to the finish line and make victory happen!’”
How did the Broad teams do? It really didn’t matter. The Broad College participation in the race was about much more than winning.
“The Broad College feels really strongly about helping women to achieve their full potential, and this is a key organization in our community that does that,” said Cheri DeClercq, Broad College assistant dean for MBA programs, who helped to organize the Broad College’s participation in the event. “The dragon boat race is an opportunity for us to make a strong stand in support of the initiatives and of the center itself, and it’s been exciting to see so many of our Broad faculty and staff literally jumping on board to make that happen,”
DeClercq said the atmosphere of the event was “fun and festive with lots of energy, making for a great day.”
Each team had the unique opportunity to bond through paddling in unison towards the finish line as an ancient Chinese drum beat rhythmically in the background. Between events, teams enjoyed socializing and partaking in other fun activities offered at the event including performances provided by various Michigan Confucius Institutes. Fund-raising totals were not immediately available.
Donations to the Women’s Center of Greater Lansing can be made via their website.
