2018 Best & Brightest: Collin Newton, Bowling Green

Collin Newton

Bowling Green University

“I am a mix between Chandler Bing, Jason Bourne, and Dug from the movie “UP”.”

Fun fact about yourself: I spent a week sleeping on top of a mini-van in the Australian Outback.

Hometown: Shelby Township, Michigan

High School: Utica Academy for International Studies

Major: Sales & Services Marketing

Minor: Business Analytics & Intelligence

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:

Freshman Year:

• College of Business, Dean’s Scholar
• National Residence Hall Honorary, Member
• Honors Learning Community, Member
• Aid For Change, Volunteer
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Change, Volunteer

Sophomore Year:

• College of Business, Student Ambassador
• Office of Residence Life, Resident Advisor
• BGSU’s THE HATCH, Entrepreneur
• The Run Happy Society, Founder & Facilitator
• National Residence Hall Honorary, VP of Admin & Finance
• College of Business, Dean’s Scholar

Junior Year:

• College of Business, Student Ambassador
• Office of Residence Life, Resident Advisor
• The Run Happy Society, Founder & Facilitator
• Study Abroad at Deakin University, Exchange Student
• National Residence Hall Honorary, Member

Senior Year:

• College of Business, Student Ambassador Executive
• Office of Residence Life, Academic Peer Mentor
• Sales Leaders & Consultants, Founder & Facilitator
• BGSU American Marketing Association, Executive Member
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Change, Volunteer

Awards:

• AMA National Outbound Sales Competition, 3rd/ 186
• Bowling Green State University 2017 Sales Competition, 2nd/ 52
• Bowling Green State University 2016 Sales Competition, 3rd / 46
• Bowling Green State University Award of Distinction
• Board of Trustee Leadership Award

Where have you interned during your college career?

Company: Marathon Petroleum Corporation
Location: Corporate Headquarters, Findlay, Ohio.
Role: Crude Oil Scheduling and Process Improvement Intern

Where will you be working after graduation?

Company: Gartner Inc.
Title: SMB Account Manager

Who is your favorite professor? My favorite professor is Mearl “King” Sutton. On the first day of my freshman year, I sat in the King’s class and he explained how he has the lowest qualifications to be able to teach, but has the highest qualifications and experience in the world of business. I was intrigued. Sure, I learned textbook material, frameworks and vocabulary words. But what made the King special is that he taught his students how to operate in the world; moreover, he believed in his students. From my first year at BGSU, he believed in me, and has been a personal and professional mentor ever since. I could not have navigated these last four years, and would not be able to navigate these next 40 years, without his guidance, support, and wisdom.

What did you enjoy most about your business school? The thing I enjoy most about my business school is the type of people it attracts. From professors, to administration, to students, everyone is down to earth, everyone values hard work, and everyone is friendly. BGSU is not hub for egos, it is a hub for growth.

What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? The biggest lesson I learned from studying business is to surround myself with people who are smarter than me.

What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? If I met a student looking to major in a business-related field, I would ask them what they are passionate about. I would then advise them to explore ways to use business to innovate that passion.

“If I didn’t major in business, I would be majoring in or studying…Yoga. During my second year at BGSU, I took an elective Yoga class, and absolutely loved it. Besides, have you ever met a Yoga practitioner who was sad?”

Who most influenced your decision to pursue business in college? My father most influenced my decision to pursue business in college. He helped develop my perspective of business as a tool to bring the world together. He taught me about fiscal responsibility, to strive for greatness, and the value of follow-through.

Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? The extracurricular achievement I am most proud of is the completion of BGSU’s THE HATCH. THE HATCH is a 10-week immersive entrepreneurship program, which culminates in an event similar to Shark Tank. My partner and I developed a product, and successful pitched it to a panel of 6 alumni, who invested real money to take our idea to professional product developers. This 10-week period was the most stressful, exhausting, and rewarding 10 weeks of my life. During this process, my partner and I were mentored by Paul Hooker, former CEO of Sferra Linens and an AACSB 2018 Influential Leader. From this process, I learned a lot about how to take care of myself, how to work with my partner, how to learn from my mentor, and how to envision change.

Which classmate do you most admire? The classmate I admire most is Julie Kessler. I remember meeting Julie on my first visit to BGSU, when we were both interviewing for scholarships. We then were reunited opening week, and our paths have crossed numerous times over the past 4 years. I admire Julie because she embodies every quality I admire. She is intelligent, and makes rational and worthwhile decisions. She is ambitious, and is not afraid to bring others with her. She is calculated, but has no issue throwing caution to the wind. She is critical, and polished, and entertaining. Most importantly, she is kind.

Who would you most want to thank for your success? My success is entirely owed to my Grandma and Grandpa. They worked, loved, and lived to their greatest potential. In doing so, they have inspired me to do the same, and I hope to make them proud.

What would your theme song be? “Don’t You Forget About Me” by Simple Minds would be my theme song. My greatest goal in this world is to impact and be impacted by as many people as possible, and remember and be remembered by those people.

What are the top two items on your bucket list?
1. I will complete an Ironman race.
2. I will coach a high school cross country team.

Favorite book: We’re Going on a Bear Hunt —Michael Rosen & Helen Oxenbury

Favorite movie: UP

Favorite vacation spot: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

What are your hobbies?

• Building connections with people
• Building connections between people
• Running
• Swimming
• Biking
• Cooking
• Developing my website

What made Collin such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2018?

“Collin has a positive spirit that grows brighter each day and directly impacts those around him.  His enthusiasm is contagious, and his professionalism is well beyond his years.  He has made a huge impact in taking the BGSU College of Business to the next level.”

Mearl Sutton
Lecturer

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