Today we’d like to introduce you to Lydia Rosencrants.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My mom is a native Memphian, but I was raised in Virginia. My husband Scott and I met in Michigan while I was attending grad school. We moved to Georgia in 1999 where I taught at a small school, LaGrange College, for 21 years.
During that time, God called us to adopt 11 children from various countries. We were also blessed with two biological children. They now range in age from 3 to 25.
While at LaGrange College, I not only taught classes but eventually became Business Department Chair. My team and I accomplished many great things including having the first accounting program in the world separately accredited by the ACBSP and integrating experiential learning throughout our various business degrees. We had students working at Super Bowls and other major sporting events, placing in national case competitions, and going to top-tier graduate schools.
I thought I would stay at LaGrange for my entire career (it was especially daunting to think about moving my huge family!), but God had other plans. When the Dean’s position at the Christian Brothers University School of Business opened, I just had to apply. CBU has such an incredible reputation and the way the university lives out its God-given mission appeals to me so much. I also loved the idea of moving to the city I had been visiting since childhood and that my mom and her side of the family live in.
I was thrilled to receive the offer and so we moved to Memphis in the summer of 2021. Since then I have loved almost every minute of being Dean of the School of Business at CBU. We have the most incredible alumni and students. Simply hearing the vision of the School has attracted top business and nonprofit professionals to our advisory boards and councils. Our alumni especially are eager to interact with our students and help prepare the next generation of responsible business leaders so desperately needed in our community.
I have been blown away by the selflessness of the Memphis community. CBU has been lifting up generations of Memphians for 150 years. I can’t wait to see what we will do in the next 150!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Most of my struggles have been in the adoption arena. Adoption is not for the faint of heart! In all of our international adoptions, we were able to identify our children from the beginning. So when delays and roadblocks arise, it is hard! You want them home as soon as possible.
We also went from being scared of adopting a child with special needs to actively seeking out children who need extra help (only God!). We now have eight children with varying degrees of special needs, including complete dependence. Navigating governments and schools and systems is hard! But I have watched God take situations I thought were impossible and make the path straight and smooth. I have learned not to say never!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
In my mind, CBU stands for Community Before yoU. We were founded by the Christian Brothers, a Catholic order founded by John Baptist de la Salle. The Brothers choose lives of service and believe that we lift people out of poverty through the opportunity to receive a high-quality education. In the year that I have been here, I have heard countless stories of the transformational experience provided by CBU. I am continually amazed by the positions and influence our alumni to hold both in Memphis and around the world.
We provide a high-quality education for which Lasallian institutions are known, but we develop the whole person. Our values are inclusion, respect for all persons, social justice and concern for the poor, faith in the presence of God and as mentioned, high-quality education. CBU has lived this out in the middle of pandemics, World Wars, and the Civil Rights movement. We have always believed that everyone is made in the image of God and has a specific purpose. We have stood with marginalized communities and continue to do so.
CBU has a rich tradition but is a forward-thinking institution. We have many innovative initiatives designed to prepare our students for the rapidly changing world of work. We firmly believe that learning doesn’t stop with a four-year degree and to demonstrate that belief we made a commitment to life-long learning this year that allows our alumni to take one class with us for free every year for the rest of their lives. We also give our undergraduate alums the chance to pursue a graduate degree with us with 25% off of tuition.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
My “superpower” is building relationships. I genuinely like people and find everyone’s story fascinating. I love being able to make connections for those in my life that help them achieve their purpose.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cbu.edu/academics/schools/school-of-business/
- Instagram: @cbubusiness
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cbusob
