The Oregon State University College of Business professional school seeks ambitious students who want to become profession-ready graduates by taking responsibility for their learning. In return, the college offers them a well-rounded education that includes numerous opportunities for experiential learning.

Students like Nadine Honda exemplify the kind of student that makes the college proud of its graduates. Through her determination, commitment, and openness to new experiences, Honda has successfully balanced academic achievement, career preparation, and student involvement during her years at Oregon State.

As 2009 recipient of the Dean’s Leadership and Professional Achievement Award, Honda was recognized for demonstrating leadership potential and support for the college’s desire to promote a professional culture. She was the only award recipient who received perfect scores from all three judges during the competitive interview process.

Beginning in her first year at Oregon State—prior to admission to the professional school—Honda became involved with the Native American Longhouse, where she organized events and shadowed the executive director of finance of ASOSU, the Oregon State University student government organization.

“Once I was engaged in leadership at OSU, I couldn’t stop,” she said. In her sophomore year, she held an executive position with ASOSU and was later elected as the organization’s vice president. In this capacity, she interacted directly with about 80 student employees, three faculty employees, and two attorneys on contract. She also administered a $1.2 million annual budget.

Honda served as representative to the ASOSU legislative branch, which reviews and approves the $18 million student fees budget. In addition to day-to-day responsibilities, she advised OSU administrators on student concerns and served as a liaison to various administrative groups.

Honda said her ability to juggle academic and extra-curricular activities has hinged on taking responsibility for knowing her limits. “You really have to know yourself,” she said. “If you know that you can take on three big things and give 100 percent to each of those things, then it’s not good for the organization that you get involved in, for your self-esteem, or for your mental health if you take on four or five things.”

Upon acceptance into the professional school, Honda declared a major in accounting and international business. Between her junior and senior years, she completed an internship in the accounting department at Georgia-Pacific’s Camas, Ore., mill and established a positive relationship with the company.

After completing the internship, Honda further broadened her horizons to include studies abroad. She and four other Oregon State business students traveled to Germany to participate in the Arthur Stonehill International Business Exchange during fall term 2009. Arriving in August before classes began, the group spent three weeks in an intensive German language course at the University of Heidelberg in Heidelberg. A term of classes taught by business professors from around the globe took place at a satellite campus in the smaller town of Mosbach about 50 miles away.

Honda’s classes at Mosbach included macro economics, cost accounting, and international corporate tax accounting. She said it was extremely valuable to gain an international perspective in these disciplines from professionals who, in many cases, are currently working in their respective fields. “It’s not just learning about international business, it’s learning from someone who has those technical skills and can provide case studies,” she said.

As a participant in the Arthur Stonehill program, Honda lived in a two-story flat with 14 other students from around the world, which gave her many new experiences and insights into various cultures. “Living with somebody is a lot different than just taking classes with them,” she said. “We had a lot of opportunity to make long-lasting friendships.”

Honda will complete her undergraduate studies in June 2010, and she already has a job lined up with Georgia-Pacific. Her Oregon State University College of Business education has prepared her to be a valuable contributor to the company’s mission and vision. She is profession-ready.