Professional Men's Event shares insight on professionalism, etiquette and how to be a gentleman
Haley Coble |
In today’s fast pace, style-changing world, it can be difficult for new professionals to know exactly how to dress and act in the workplace.
Four years ago, Leanne Smith, assistant professor of management at Lipscomb, and Cindy Quinn, adjunct fashion and design faculty, pondered exactly that.
They eventually came up with an idea to create an event for Lipscomb students that could not only help them discover tips and advice on professionalism and etiquette, but also give fashion students a chance to put on a formal fashion show to accomplish a graduation requirement.
The event started out as a function for female students, but soon many students began to ask for a similar event for men.
“We decided that we would host a professional men's event in the fall semester, and a professional women's event in the spring,” said Smith.
On Monday, Oct. 26, Lipscomb’s College of Entertainment & the Arts, along with the College of Business, Career Development Center and Associated Women for Lipscomb, came together to present the second annual Professional Men’s event.
“The Professional Men’s Event is an eclectic focus on professionalism, entrepreneurship, and being a gentleman,” said David Hardy, chairman of Lipscomb’s fashion and design department. “This event creates a fantastic opportunity for today's professional to comprehend why it is so important to be decisive and articulate in one's image. In today's world, young professional men are poised to have major positive impacts in the workplace, whether through action or 
appearance.”
The night kicked off with with an opportunity for male students to mingle and network with alumni as well as business leaders from The Art of Shaving, Oak and Ink, Eric Adler, and The Well who were also present at the event.
A panel of Lipscomb alumni was asked a series of questions about the conditions of being a gentleman and the professional style associated with the term. Mike Fernandez, Dean of College of Entertainment & the Arts, hosted the evening and helped to mediate the discussion.
Panel members included actor, film producer and retired professional baseball player, Casey Bond; indie award winning cinematographer and director, Spencer Glover; musician and producer, Steve Taylor; and medical recruiter and founder of Oak + Ink, Tyler Browning.
“Being a gentleman is not just about how you look, but your attitude and how you act, such as opening up door and using manners,” said Bond.
Taylor agreed and added that a gentleman is defined by Philippians 2:4, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
The men were also asked a series of questions regarding professionalism, dress expectations in the workplace, who taught them how to be a gentleman and professional behavior, and how did they decide what to wear to the event that night.
“[Being professional] means knowing the standards and meeting them, but then going above and beyond,” said Browning.
The panel discussion was followed by a performance by musical guest, the Arcadian Wild. The three folk songs performed broke up the night up, and led into the second half of the evening.
Eric Adler and Jason Jarrett, from Eric Adler Menswear, emceed the fashion show portion of the event. The fashion show was coordinated by Lipscomb fashion and design students with clothes donated by Dillard's, Street Tuxedos, Joseph A. Banks, The Oxford Shop, Cole Haan and Eric Adler.
The fashion show featured male Lipscomb students in formal suit attire, business attire, business casual, and casual looks.
“It is important to remain professional even on casual Fridays,” said Jarrett. “Companies use casual Fridays to weed out those who don’t take their job seriously. If you dress too casually, it may show that you have a casual state of mind when it comes to your job.”
Knowing how to dress and act in the professional world is a vital skill, and Lipscomb is actively preparing male and female students for a successful career as well as how to be ladies and gentleman no matter where life takes them.