New EMU website locates alumni businesses, internship opportunities

Royal Connections, a new feature launching on the EMU website, showcases alumni-owned or managed businesses all over the world – and helps students, parents and graduates find and connect with them.

Do you live in Bellefontaine, Ohio, and want a doctor who loves EMU as much as you do? No problem. Advertising services in Salem, Oregon? Check. A restorative justice program in South Korea? Um-hmmm. Barbecue in Souderton, Pennsylvania? Yep – that, too.

“People often want to connect with alumni businesses, because of the value systems that our alumni adhere to and because they know the quality of education that they received at EMU,” said Jeff Shank, director of alumni and parent engagement. “That common ground is invaluable.”

Searchable by business category, internship opportunities and region, Royal Connections is already populated with more than 125 businesses – well over the launch goal. The site also links users to EMU’s career services website, where business owners can recruit Royals.

“Many of our business students seek internships in the summer, and Royal Connections will allow us to connect them with options in their own home towns,” said Professor Jim Leaman, chair of EMU’s Business and Leadership Department. “And when our graduates enter the workforce outside EMU’s region, Royal Connections will provide information that should be of benefit both to applicant and organization.”

Developed by EMU’s web developer and analyst Joshua Lyons with input from Shank, the site integrates various Google Map features. Users can see all of the businesses at once on the map or search by region, business type, or internship possibility – or just use the map to zoom in or out on an area to see what’s nearby.

Shank came up with the idea after a casual conversation with Mitch Troyer ‘93, vice president of Blue Ridge Powersports in Harrisonburg, about connecting alumni to each others’ businesses.

“The thing that people who haven’t experienced EMU don’t understand is that EMU people have a common bond and are good people at heart,” Troyer said. “I like to spend money with people I know and trust, and I’ve got a great chance of being treated fairly and getting a quality job done when I am working with someone from EMU.”

Several alumni-owned businesses that have sponsored the site are featured in rotation on the site homepage: Emotional Health Center in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, co-owned by Doug Friesen ’91; Peace, Love, and Little Donuts in Harrisonburg, co-owned by Katelyn Troyer ’14; the Valley Roots Team, with Jeremy Litwiller ’97 and Derik Trissel ’01 of Kline May Realty in Harrisonburg; and Best Western Plus Dutch Haus Inn and Suites in Columbiana, Ohio, co-owned by Grace Witmer Styer ’79 and Nelson Witmer ’87.