“The Odyssey,” a show on the university’s radio station, WNHU, featured an interview with chairman of the board of Federal Signal and university alumnus, Dennis Martin. Hosted by social media director of WNHU Toyosi Kehinde, the episode highlighted Martin’s $10 million donation to the Pompea College of Business and his own journey in the world of business.
In April, the 1981 graduate gifted the university a leadership donation that is said to go toward the creation of a new on-campus building for the College of Business, which is currently located at the university’s Orange campus. The university’s website says the 80,000 square-foot facility will include suites for advising, recruiting, mentorship and career development, alongside features such as a business analytics lab, simulated financial trading room and other essentials for a “successful college of business.” In addition, the Pompea College of Business will also make its return back to the main campus in West Haven.
“What inspired me was looking at the need in the business school,” said Martin. “I think the students in the business school would benefit from interacting daily with other disciplines because when they go into business, they’re going to be working with all the different kinds of other educations, so I think it made sense to do that and have them in close proximity to spend time together and learn from each other.”
Martin also said the facility will allow students stepping into the business world to gain broader experiences through its new features.
“The university’s been focusing on getting the students to have more hands-on experiences, having more internships, having more practice in things that they’re going to face on their first day,” Martin said. “I think it’s a little eye opening when you get your first job in business, so the broader the experience that can happen, the better.”
A businessman himself, Martin offered advice to young entrepreneurs, that they stay innovative in the world of business.
“Everybody should try to be looking for things outside of the box, things that will change the business,” Martin said. “A lot of times they can learn that by talking to the customers or other people they work with to see what needs are, so innovation really stems from typing to solve a special need.”
Martin also encouraged new business leaders to practice good ethics.
“You don’t have a business if you don’t have ethics,” he said. “You have to have ethical leadership, and it’s not a sometimes thing, it’s an all the time thing. People definitely look up to the leaders and if the leaders aren’t leading properly, things fall apart very rapidly.”
“The Odyssey” is live every Wednesday from 4-6 p.m on 88.7 WNHU.
