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by MARY ELIZABETH ROBERTSON
Intern Lifestyles Reporter
While the nearest store may be almost 40 miles away in Hickory, students can receive insight into the south’s premier doughnut producer Thursday.
James Morgan, chief executive officer of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, will speak March 26 at the Broyhill Music Center’s Rosen Concert Hall.
The talk is the
first for 2009 and the 43rd of the Harlan Boyles Distinguished CEO
Lecture series, founded by Chancellor Kenneth E. Peacock while he was
the Dean of Walker College of Business.
The
lecture will begin at 2 p.m. with a reception to follow at the Broyhill
Inn & Conference Center. Both the lecture and reception are free
and open to the public.
“I tell
the speaker to pick the topic, and basically to tell their story,”
Randy Edwards, dean of the Walker College of Business said of James
Morgan. “He will probably give some of his business background and
speak on managing Krispy Kreme.”
Edwards pointed to Morgan’s personality as the key to his success in the Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Corporation.
“James
Morgan is a very ethical person and in my opinion they hired him
because of his reputation as being a very ethical person,” he said. “He
used to be at Wachovia and has a background in the finance world and
will be able to help Krispy Kreme remain profitable.”
A recent
U.S. News and World Report article named Krispy Kreme as one of 15
companies to be facing possible liquidation, layoffs and bankruptcy
within the next year if the economy does not start to improve.
“To my
knowledge, they’re not in immediate danger,” he said. “People can
choose not to buy their products; however, Krispy Kreme is a cultural
icon, especially in the South.”
Edwards
pointed to North Carolina State University’s Krispy Kreme Challenge
where students run two miles from campus to a local Krispy Kreme store,
consume a dozen doughnuts and run back, all in under an hour.
International business student Sean T. Flynn is looking forward to the opportunity to hear Morgan’s lecture.
“James
Morgan should have a lot to say about the economy and how he has
climbed the ladder of success,” he said. “Hopefully, I will gain some
insight into the business world to help me in the future.”
Sophomore
secondary education and history major Ashley D. Hicks has no relation
to the business department, however, still feels the lecture could be
beneficial.
“I am
looking forward to hearing how James Morgan has made his success and
the tips that he will give to us as future business men and women,” she
said. “I hope that he gives advice on how we can help improve the
current economy when we get into the work force and I hope that he
gives advice on how to make our careers as successful as his has been.”
Edwards feels all students could benefit from attending the lecture series.
“To hear
the experience of the CEOs and how they reached the point they are at,
and the impacts they have on business are the best lessons,” he said.
“Speakers can share on how to deal with ethical dilemmas and the
success of networking, relating to others and practical advice. All of
this can help students.”
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