A FIRM HANDSHAKE — Former Franciscan University of Steubenville accounting professor Donald Materniak shook hands with Jacob Ferguson, a sophomore finance major at Franciscan, during Thursday’s Business Etiquette Dinner. Introducing the two was Joseph Schratz, sophomore computer information science and business management major. -- Christopher Dacanay

STEUBENVILLE — Local professionals shared their years’ worth of expertise with the next generation of business leaders during a networking and mentorship event with Franciscan University of Steubenville students Thursday.

The second-annual Business Etiquette Dinner brought together nearly 100 students with representatives from 14 local businesses for an evening of socialization and skill sharing at the university’s Pope St. Paul VI Conference Center.

For the past several years, a group of Franciscan business students has attended the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner to connect with community members and gain real-world professional experience. Thursday’s event sought to expand those opportunities, in partnership with local business leaders who volunteered their time.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for our students to engage with business leaders and get comfortable introducing themselves in these more formal business settings,” said Doug Perry, chair of Franciscan’s business department. “I’m also grateful to the local community leaders who sponsored this event.”

The event was organized through a collaboration between Franciscan’s business department; Steve Feher of the the Business Advisory Board, a volunteer organization of professionals nationwide that advises and assists the business department, and events planning team members of Christian Students in Free Enterprise, a student club centered on the practical application of faith in business.

Dressed in formal attire, students at the dinner mostly represented the business department, though some represented the psychology or engineering departments — in particular, the project engineering and industrial psychology programs.

Another portion represented CSFE, which encompasses about a quarter of Franciscan’s business students. With 112 members, CSFE is one of the largest student groups on campus. The group focuses on integrating Catholicism and knowledge from the classroom into business-related projects. Seventeen different teams carry out various initiatives on campus and in the local community, such as offering volunteer or fundraising support and planning educational field trips for schoolchildren.

The business department hopes to host the Business Etiquette Dinner every year, said business professor and CSFE faculty adviser Alyssa Kerker, who noted that local business participation doubled this year, compared to the inaugural year.

“We want to expose students to a professional business atmosphere so they have a chance to work on their professional networking and (grow accustomed to) the setting of a formal business dinner, as well,” Kerker said, adding, “We’ve strategically matched the students, based on their major and interest, with the business that’s sponsoring the table, so they can really get the most out of their discussions.”

Kerker said of the opportunity for students: “It’s mostly to come and practice and try the networking, using the knowledge form the classroom to talk about their major and ask questions form the businesses. … This is the first time that most of these students have been to a business, professional event, and we would really like their first time to be here with us, so when they’re out in the real world, they know what to expect and they’re already ready.”

Serving as vice president of internet consulting services for the Ridgefield Group Inc., Feher is a member of the Business Advisory Board along with 15-to-20 other businesses from across the U.S. He’s also a Franciscan alumnus (’96, MBA ’98) and has served as an adjunct faculty member.

Feher emphasized that every business represented Thursday was motivated by an intentional, “altruistic” desire to give back to the community and create a better future for young, aspiring business leaders.

“Somebody helped us in our youth, and now they’re paying it forward to help other people,” Feher said, adding, “We want (the students) to pay it forward in their career.”

Businesses included the Catholic Diocese of Steubenville; Payroll+; Anthony Mining Co. Inc.; 165 Ventures; Tom Gentile, entrepreneur, commercial real estate; Illumination Financial Group; FeX Group; the Ridgefield Group Inc.; Protiviti; Trinity Health System; Lauttamus Communications and Security; D’Anniballe and Co. Inc.; J. Zamberlan & Co. and PNC Bank.

Shannon Minch-Hughes, director of temporal affairs for the Diocese of Steubenville, noted this is her organization’s second year participating in the Business Etiquette Dinner.

“Networking is a very important part of business,” she said, “and it’s important to teach these skills to the young people.”

Joining her was Nikki (Minch) Mascio, sales liaison for Health Care Solutions. A 2000 Franciscan graduate who studied television and radio communications, Mascio said, “As an FUS alumni, I want to give back and help other students.”

Dean Bucci, owner of Payroll+, said this is his first time participating in the Business Etiquette Dinner, though he’s attended previous CSFE events, namely the Business Cocktail Hour networking event.

“As a business owner, I would like to give back to the community and our youth as it was given to me,” Bucci said. “I do believe that giving back to our youth is instrumental for helping the growth of our valley.”

A CSFE member for her entire college career, Mary Parrish is the group’s president. She’s also a senior business management major, who aspires to work in human resources or project management for a company “with strong principles and that looks to improve the world that we live in.”

Parrish said of the dinner: “I think it’s valuable to learn from the knowledge and experience of others, especially being so young and not knowing what the workforce is going to be like quite yet, as a student. I feel like we have so much to learn from these professionals, and I’m truly honored they’re here tonight to share their knowledge with us.”

A previous member of CSFE’s presentation team — which presents regularly to the Business Advisory Board — Parish said she’s helped grow CSFE to fit the vision of the late Tom Kelly, former business department chair and CSFE founder.

Jordan Dillon, a senior marketing major with a minor in history, serves as head of the CSFE events planning team. After graduating, she plans to pursue a master’s degree in business administration at Franciscan and obtain another post-graduate certificate related to marketing from a separate institution, most likely West Virginia University.

Dillon said of the dinner: “I think it’s really important to offer this for students because we don’t really get a lot of chances to network, and it’s good to sit down with people who have a lot more experience than we do and hear their stories about how they got to where they are today. It’s a great way for us to expand our network and make connections that can help us get jobs and opportunities later in life.”

Camila Long, a sophomore majoring in international business and multimedia communications, said this was her second year participating in the dinner. The previous time — during her freshman year — directly resulted in her first internship, with the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce.

“(Last year) was amazing,” she said. “It helped me build my confidence. I really defined my professional presence. … I’m excited to see what new opportunities this dinner is going to give me today.”