On Thursday, March 18, the McAfee School of Business hosted their annual Faith in the Marketplace lecture series at the Carl Grant Events Center, which featured guest speaker Trudy Cathy White.
The Faith in the Marketplace lecture series focused on how Christians could serve others well in a work environment by applying and living out biblical principles within their businesses.
White is the daughter of Samuel Truett Cathy, the founder of Chick-Fil-A, and she shared how she incorporates these beliefs into her family’s business.
White talked about her father’s story and how he came up with the idea of the original chicken sandwich. This idea grew in popularity and turned into a successful restaurant franchise.
“Dad would say that we’re not in the chicken business, we’re in the people business,” White said.
While her father’s inspiration of establishing Chick-Fil-A had a huge impact on their family, White knew that a lot of the company’s success was also contributed by her mother, Jeannette McNeil Cathy.
“When I think about our family and family business, I think about someone who was originally unseen: my mother,” White said. “She had a quiet strength. She was strong because she knew what she really needed to focus on in life.”
White shared how her mother was a huge impact and inspiration for both her family and the whole business of Chick-Fil-A. Cathy was very intentional about incorporating biblical principles into business practice in the ways she treated customers and employees. White shared how her mom knew it was important to have a good foundation in the way one lives their life and runs a business. She discussed three characteristics of her mom that made her strong foundation so successful: attitude, determination and discernment.
After White concluded her lecture, Colene Trent, assistant professor of economics for the McAfee School of Business, asked White a few questions regarding her family’s legacy, such as how their Christian faith bears itself in the business world.
“We recognize that God has given us Chick-Fil-A to steward the world,” White said.
White also focused on the importance of college students who are going out into the business world to live out their faith in the marketplace. She emphasized that students ought to be giving and serving others in whatever work environment they are in. She shared that the greatest way to contribute is by having a quiet strength, knowing what your mission is and keeping that mission in mind.
“Circumstances can be difficult, but if you set your sights on what is right, you can find strength,” White said.
The Faith in the Marketplace concluded with the McAfee School of Business announcing their plans for a new building on the Great Lawn, with the McAfee family providing the lead funding.
