The Southwestern Company Corporate Blog

An old Chinese proverb reminds us, “If you are planning for a year, sow rice; if you are planning for a decade, plant trees; if you are planning for a lifetime, educate people”

One of the most important ways any company can help its local community is to get involved in the difficult but crucial work of the public schools. The dedication of teachers and administration to the lifetime preparation of young people is inspiring, and they often face multiple uphill battles of budget cuts, societal apathy, language barriers, and increasing class sizes. The Southwestern Company is happy to be a part of Metro Nashville Public Schools’ new program, “The Academies of Nashville.” In a first-of-its-kind citywide partnership between businesses and public high schools, programs with a particular, future career, focus are being established within schools. Combined efforts of schools and volunteers from business in these areas of special interest and focus are called “Acadmies.”  

Last Friday, I had the opportunity to represent The Southwestern Company at the kickoff of the Academies of Nashville Program. We are united with other businesses in a partnership with Hunter’s Lane Comprehensive High School and its 1600 students to create a Business and Marketing Academy within the school. Over the next year, volunteers from Southwestern will join with teachers, staff, and students to help prepare them for both college and work options upon graduation. Don’t be surprised if this includes inviting a number of them to Sales School next year.  

In this way, we are able to help contribute to this essential community responsibility of educating young people. It directly fits our mission, and my thanks to Lee McCroskey for heading up this initiative on our part.

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