“Finish in Four” initiative urges students to graduate in four years

$50,000 poured from a duffle bag as ULM alum and Iberia Bank Market Pres. Paul Hutcheson demonstrated for the freshman business class how much money could be lost by not graduating in four years.

“By choosing between four years and five years [to graduate,] this is what you are giving up,” Hutcheson said.

The College of Business began this initiative earlier this year to encourage students to graduate on time.

“[ULM President Nick] Bruno has challenged us to be better and think bolder,” said Ronald Berry, dean of the ULM College of Business Administration. “This program is very bold.”

Logan Cloessner, a Masters of Business Administration student from Jonesville, helped Hutcheson with the demonstration.

“I think the demonstration was extremely effective,” Cloessner said. “It is one thing to tell a student that if they take an extra year to finish they will lose a year’s salary, but actually showing that salary in cash created a truly tangible and remarkable experience.”