Linda Pettijohn Takes London by Storm, and a Whole Lot More. . .
By Mary H. Chin

How appropriate Dr. Linda Pettijohn, a world traveler in her own right, with several international study tours to Europe and Mexico, would spend Fall 2005 teaching in the  Missouri-London program. Encouraged by Missouri State University’s program director, Dean Curtis Lawrence, to use London as a “teaching laboratory,” Pettijohn did just that. Pettijohn’s goal: to turn an educational venture into a lifetime experience for her London students.

Pettijohn capitalized on all that London had to offer her students. She explains, “I arranged field trips and seminars to Christie’s Auction House, Young’s Ram Brewery (where many of the other faculty joined the class for the tour), Bloomberg Financial, The BBC, the US Embassy, Coca-Cola, and Parliament. The Parliament visit was arranged by the former Political Advisor to the Major Whip, Roger Pope, who is also my distant cousin.” And the cousin connection resulted in a remarkable payoff for her students.

“Roger Pope invited The Rt. Hon. Tom Clarke, MP (Member of Parliament) to speak to my international business class,” she explains. “MP Clarke discussed a bill he is currently trying to get through Parliament, entitled, ‘International Development (Reporting and Transparency) Bill.’ This bill will require a specific accounting of how monies are spent for international aid. The highlight of this guest speaker's visit was that each student received a signed bill from MP Clarke.”

The Rt. Honorable Tom Clark, MP visits with members of Linda Pettijohn's International Business Class.

Another high point of the London semester was sparked by a serendipitous email sent to Pettijohn’s husband, Charlie, who spent the semester “across the pond” as well. How did Pettijohn land a guest speaker from the Deutsche Bank Group in Frankfurt, Germany for her international marketing class? It links back to former Missouri State University student, Walter Westervelt, class of 1990.

She explains, “Westervelt was curious about the University name change and was investigating Missouri State’s home page when he noticed the Pettijohn name. Back in 1988, all of us had participated in a three week European study tour co-sponsored by Professor Terry Loveland (retired from Accounting) and Dr. Bob Trewatha (retired from Management). Westervelt’s curiosity prompted the email to my husband. Currently Westervelt is employed by Siemans AG in Frankfurt as a corporate account manager. In December, he flew to London to meet up with us and reminisce. Fortunately, my class benefited from his presentation on selling overseas and how to succeed in the international marketplace.”

London may have been the recipient of Pettijohn’s expertise, but Missouri State is equally as fortunate. Pettijohn has brought much to the Marketing Department’s table. The department’s “queen of retailing” is also the master of merchandising on the home front. Pettijohn explains how her concern for Missouri State University students turned into an annual event.

“The 1995 economic downturn presented employment challenges for our graduates. Using some creative accounting, I initiated the first Marketing Career Day which attracted about twenty employers.” Under Pettijohn’s guidance, this program has evolved into COBA’s annual Business Career Day, now attracting more than sixty prospective employers each year. Once again Pettijohn’s actions underscore that students are her primary concern.

Other ways she's left her mark? How about “Marketing Yourself,” a course that many business majors consider a slam-dunk of the curriculum. Pettijohn notes the background on her brainchild course. “The mid 90s saw a national trend developing where employers were critical of new grads and their lack of career preparation. Employers’ concerns centered on a growing deficit in basic but critical skills such as resume construction, writing and presentation skills, and appropriate workplace wardrobes.”

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Dr. Linda Pettijohn poses with Missouri State University students Carrie Wurth and Jonathan Hovey who were part of the Missouri-London program, Fall 2005.

Again, Pettijohn stepped to the plate and decided to lead the charge to correct this deficiency. While faced with many obstacles from some who claimed the class was not “academic enough,” she fought the red tape, obtained necessary approvals, and developed the Marketing Yourself course.

Today, Pettijohn comments, “many students tell me that Marketing Yourself is their favorite and most valuable course. Employers echo the students’ sentiments, mentioning they would have appreciated taking this course during their collegiate years.”

Pettijohn’s most recent feat was enjoyed by many Spring 2005 marketing graduates. She spearheaded the Marketing Department’s first graduate reception. This event, honoring marketing graduates and their invited families and friends, was attended by more than 200 people. Pettijohn hopes to make this a recurring semester event.

Dr. Linda and Charlie Pettijohn have both taught in the Missouri State Marketing Department since 1987.

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