WMU HOME > ABOUT WMU > WMU NEWS Philip Morris named Employer of the Year Oct. 9, 2004 KALAMAZOO--Philip Morris USA has been named Western Michigan University's 2003-04 Employer of the Year and will receive the honor during the University's seventh annual Etiquette Dinner from 6 to 9 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 21, on campus in the Fetzer Center. Career and Student Employment Services in WMU's Division of Student Affairs has been designating the University's top employer each academic year since 1991. Recipients are chosen based on their outstanding recruiting practices as well as their high level of involvement in educational partnerships and recruiting activities that contribute to the career development and employment of WMU students and alumni. Accepting the 2003-04 award will be Todd Rogalski (Ra-GAWL-ski), unit manager for Philip Morris who earned a bachelor of business administration degree in marketing from WMU in 2000. Linda Ickes (ICK-us), associate director of CSES, notes that Philip Morris is presenting this year's Etiquette Dinner program, which includes a seminar on business etiquette for students and is followed by a group meal where students will practice their newly learned skills. "This is just one example of the many ways the company supports the career development of WMU students," Ickes says. "Philip Morris also interviews on campus, provides support for our Career Search Manual, and participates in career fairs and alumni internship panel presentations. In addition, its representatives visit campus several times each year to recruit and screen for summer interns as well as regional sales managers." Philip Morris USA is the domestic tobacco company owned by Altria Group Inc. Headquartered in Richmond, Va., it employs more than 178,000 people across the country. Rogalski and about 30 other employees are WMU alumni. Those alumni include world-class engineers and researchers; highly trained manufacturing specialists; and experts in sales, marketing, finance, communications and human resources. "Todd [Rogalski] has a passion to succeed and a communication style that is highly responsive to both people and the business tasks at hand," Ickes says. "These traits exemplify what Philip Morris looks for in its interns and prospective employees. We're proud to welcome him back to campus for the Etiquette Dinner because he can always be counted on to demonstrate professionalism to our students and help WMU strengthen its partnerships with business and industry." Related story Students get pointers on business etiquette Media contact: Jeanne Baron, 269 387-8400, jeanne.baron@wmich.edu WMU News Office of University Relations Western Michigan University 1903 W Michigan Ave Kalamazoo MI 49008-5433 USA 269 387-8400 www.wmich.edu/wmu/news