This is part of #EberlyAmazingStudents, a series from the IUP Eberly College of Business and Information Technology that focuses on students who are involved in a variety of extra-curricular activities.
Khalieb Garthwaite is a student in the MBA program and will graduate this May. He obtained a marketing degree from IUP in 2019. Khalieb was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity as well as the Beta Gamma Sigma academic honor society.
Khalieb is from Eldred, Pennsylvania, a small town in rural northern Pennsylvania. He first came to visit IUP during a road trip with three of his high school friends. From his first visit he knew IUP was the place for him.
Khalieb had a passion for business even though his high school didn't offer classes in business. He credits this passion to his father, who left a large construction company to start an independent construction company with no prior business experience. InKhalieb's junior year, he decided to focus his studies on marketing because he saw the impact marketing had on business.
During Khalieb's senior year, he learned of IUP's early admission MBA program. He saw this as a great opportunity to further his education in an affordable manner. Khalieb applied and was accepted. He completed three MBA courses before completing his undergraduate degree, leaving only nine of the 12 MBA classes remaining.
Khalieb believes that one of the best parts of his master's education is the graduate assistantship he was awarded. While working as a GA in the Dean's Office, he learned about the many complexities associated with operating a college. He credits an increased understanding of analysis and Microsoft applications to his time as a GA in Eberly.
A favorite hobby of Khalieb's while attending IUP was visiting the many parks surrounding the area. He stated that his favorite adventure was Buttermilk Falls in Kittanning. "I believe that one important thing, not just in college but in life, is to not lose your connection to nature." He added that you can get overwhelmed with life when always trapped indoors. He believes that it is important to escape from your desk and just take a deep breath and enjoy your surroundings.
"I want to thank the many amazing professors that I had the pleasure to learn from in my time in Eberly. Specifically, Dr. Soni for the two amazing classes in operations management, Dr. Byramjee for the classes in logistics and marketing research, Dr. Scuilli for the class in professional selling, and lastly, Dr. Webb for my newly found interest in business law."
After graduation, Khalieb will start his full-time position at Sherwin-Williams in Philadelphia. Khalieb stated, "IUP has given me both the skills and confidence to succeed in any endeavor. I will forever remember my time at IUP and be thankful for all the memories it has given me."
About #EberlyAmazingStudents
The #EberlyAmazingStudents series features students who are involved in a variety of extra-curricular activities. Associate Dean Cyndy Strittmatter is overseeing the project. "We are proud of our students who balance their academics with extracurricular activities and recognize the commitment that it takes to excel at all levels. We look forward to sharing their accomplishments with the IUP community and beyond!"