Monmouth’s Leon Hess Business School and Guggenheim Memorial Library recently announced their conjoined partnership with The Wall Street Journal in providing free, digital access to all Monmouth community members starting Friday, Dec. 3.
This initiative was made possible by the generous donation of two community members, one of whom is an alumnus from the University’s Business School.
Pamela Scott-Johnson, Ph.D., Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, sent a mass email to the University’s faculty sharing the news. “Through this partnership, members have full digital access to WSJ.com and the app—including curated career content at students.wsj.com and The Journal podcast. In addition, this complimentary benefit program gives Monmouth University students, faculty, and staff access to virtual events and offers, such as invites to talks and a free e-book each month,” elaborated Scott-Johnson. She later went on to explain the circumstances as to how this partnership came to be.
“The WSJ complimentary access was made possible through a gift that was recently made by Bryan Koslow, who earned his MBA at Monmouth in 2004, and his wife, Jennifer, to the Leon Hess Business School. Mr. Koslow, President of Clarus Financial, is the newest member of the Dean’s Advisory Council of the Leon Hess Business School,” said Scott-Johnson.
In a press release developed by the Leon Hess Business School, the School mentioned that it was a collaboration between the Koslows and Dean Raj Devasagayam, Ph.D, that precipitated this partnership in particular. According to Janeth Merkle, MBA, Assistant Dean of the Leon Hess Business School, “Dean Raj presented this idea as he is aware of the value of Wall Street Journal content to our faculty and students.” Merkle explained, “To ensure that this new access did not conflict with the Library’s present resources, we contacted our Librarian, Kurt Wagner, and consulted him. As a result, WSJ complimentary access will be housed in the Library.”
After consultation with the Library, the Business School conducted an informal dialogue to first gauge students’ interest about the idea prior to its launch. One student involved in this conversation, sophomore business student,
Emily Finnegan, stated that “A subscription to The Wall Street Journal is essential for understanding the global business world and allowing me to connect what I learn in the classroom to real-world events.” Nevertheless, this access goes beyond the undergraduate level since all Monmouth University students, faculty, and staff are now privy to this resource. Graduate MBA student, Christine Kelly acknowledged that this access is invaluable for all community members. “Throughout our college careers, we sharpen our skill of applying theory to real-life business situations, and this requires a thorough understanding of the latest news and events. The ability for students to stay informed through a free subscription to The Wall Street Journal will only help us succeed both inside and outside the classroom,” said Kelly.
In Dean Raj explained that this membership is especially beneficial to business students. “The Mission of Leon Hess Business School promises to grow students into “contributing members and future leaders in a global society.” Devasagayam stated,
“Leaders are expected to contribute from a place of knowledge and understanding that enhances human welfare. Access to the Wall Street Journal provides opportunities for students and faculty to engage with real world events and opinions that enrich our teaching-learning endeavors in the classroom and encourage interdisciplinary intellectual discourses outside the classroom.”
