The Rinker School of Business

Leslie D. Turner, D.B.A., Dean

Professors

Lawrence Burgee, Ph.D.
Mike Chen, Ph.D.
Mary Kay Copeland, Ph.D.
John Hayes, Ph.D.
Ann Langlois, D.B.A.
Claire Nash, Ph.D.
David J. Smith, D.B.A., Chair, Graduate Program

Associate Professors

Cora Barnhart, Ph.D., Chair, Undergraduate Program
Lane Cohee, D.B.A
Jeffrey Kennedy, D.B.A
Velma Lee, Ph.D.
Ariel Viale, Ph.D.

Assistant Professors

Michael Tillett, M.Acc., C.P.A.

Instructors

Barbara VanderWerf, M.B.A.

The Rinker School of Business (RSB) upholds the mission of Palm Beach Atlantic University by preparing its graduates for entry into the business world. To achieve this objective, the professors stress Christian worldview ethics in the making of sound business decisions, in the use of one’s talents, and in business communications. Rinker School graduates must (1) understand the significant economic realities of our society; (2) demonstrate competence in business and major concentrations; and (3) develop an understanding of a Christian worldview in order to address the increasing complexities of the business world.

Vision

The Rinker School of Business will be the preferred choice of those seeking a Christ-centered business education. We will be recognized for our focus on Christian theism based ethics, teaching excellence, research, and consulting.

Mission

Through a Christ-centered educational experience, we prepare students to be ethical business leaders that will operate effectively in a global business and social environment. Graduates of the Rinker School of Business will be committed, compassionate, competent, and confident business professionals.

Core Values

Our core values stem from the Palm Beach Atlantic University core values. The university statement on American Free Enterprise includes this excerpt:

“Palm Beach Atlantic University confidently affirms the values and institutions that historically have informed American society—religious liberty; traditional Judeo-Christian morality; limited, constitutional government; the Rule of Law; personal and political accountability; and capitalism—the system of free enterprise.”

Accordingly, the Rinker School of Business proudly teaches, confirms, and extols the benefits and virtues of the free enterprise system. When free enterprise is conducted within the guidelines of Biblical principles of ethical behavior, it generates goods and services, jobs, wealth, and other benefits to society in a manner more efficient than any other system. This understanding of the system of free enterprise is integrated into the curriculum and courses of our business degrees.

Our statement of Christian faith integration for the Rinker School of Business aligns with university core values.

We believe that God has specific purposes for businesses and for those who work in business. Those purposes are:

to provide the community with beneficial goods and services.
to provide an opportunity for work to allow God’s people to use their creativity.
to provide the necessary funding and support for churches, missions, and non-profits that serve God’s people by generating funds, and employing people.

By our own life examples, and by our intentional integration of Christian faith principles, we will lead students to understand that honest, ethical business practices can serve these purposes and also bring honor to God. We are guided by the whole of scripture, but a summary rationale of our statement of faith integration is Proverbs 11:1, “A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is his delight.” The second part of this verse emphasizes that God delights in ethical business practices.

Christ-centered. Everything that we do has Christ at the center. We integrate a Christian theistic worldview into business courses.
Business ethics. Our courses include Christian theism so as to develop business professionals with the highest ethical standards.
Focus on free enterprise. Our programs highlight the critical role of morality in the free enterprise system.
Development of student maturity. Our programs develop students who are:
1. Committed. Through our faculty’s counsel, our students commit to invest the time and effort required to become ethical business leaders.
2. Compassionate. Through our community involvement, students demonstrate compassion for those in the business and social community.
3. Competent. Through our innovative curriculum, students display competence of leading issues in their chosen fields.
4. Confident. Through our faculty’s collegiality and scholarly commitment, students develop confidence in their knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Research and consulting. Students and faculty serve the community by engaging in research and consulting projects.

The Rinker School of Business is committed to the highest standards of academic quality. To help maintain these quality standards, the RSB conducts assessments at the end of each semester. During this process, students taking business courses complete course evaluations, surveys, and other instruments that assist the RSB in evaluating our business programs. All students taking business courses are required to complete assessment activities each semester. The results of the assessment activities contribute greatly to continued quality improvement within the Rinker School of Business.