Cornerstone University students are in the midst of a changing global economy. Business students in particular need to be prepared to face the new challenges this brings. Not only do they need to be equipped for the changes in business and sustaining the environment, but also need to be prepared for expanding their faith globally.

CU hosted its first “Faith, Sustainability and Business” conference. The conference was designed to help educate students about the growing concern of sustainability and how it relates to faith in the business world. The conference was a free event open to all CU students, faculty and staff at the Grand Rapids Theological Seminary on April 3 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

“This is the first conference building a foundation to understand the concepts of faith and business and how it relates to sustainability,” said Shawn Newhouse assistant professor of business. “Connecting the dots between faith, sustainability and business is the goal of the conference.”

Students had the opportunity to learn these concepts from people in business and spiritual careers who will be speaking at the conference.

“The conference is an exciting opportunity for students to hear more about different perspectives: faith perspective and business perspective,” said Julie Sanford, assistant professor of science.

The speakers included Matthew Krick, adjunct professor and spiritual formation pastor at Mars Hill Church; Deborah Meadows Steketee, assistant professor at Aquinas College and executive director of the Center for Sustainability; and David Rinard, director of global environmental performance at Steelcase, Inc.

Steelcase is a good example of a local leader in sustainability. It has been honored as the 2008 WasteWise Large Business Partner of the Year from WasteWise, an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) program that helps US organizations reduce municipal solid waste. The WasteWise Large Business Partner of the Year Award honors overall waste reduction achievements and efforts to purchase or manufacture recycled-content products. “To be recognized by WasteWise and the EPA is a great achievement and we are honored to receive this prestigious award,” said Sarah Whitman, Company News, Steelcase Web site.

Sustainability and protecting the environment have been a part of the company’s work ethics since it was created nearly a hundred years ago. Steelcase began in 1912 as The Metal Office Furniture Company in Grand Rapids, Mich.

Sustainability is important because of the large impact it has on the world. Practicing sustainability in global business allows students to be good examples of stewardship of natural resources.