EMU recently celebrated a decade of partnership with Follett Bookstores. A contingent of Follett associates, university faculty and campus administrators gathered for a luncheon in the president’s room of the University Commons to commemorate this milestone.
Celebrating a ten-year partnership between Follett Bookstores and EMU are (l. to r.): John J Rheault, Director II, JMU bookstore; Nancy Sattler, Follett Regional Manager III, Group 5 Platinum East; Loren Swartzendruber, EMU president; Robert Blake, Follett Regional Manager II, Group 36, Gold East; Terry Burkhalter, University Bookstore manager; and Ron Piper, vice president of finance & Follett/EMU contact person (Photo by Jim Bishop)
During the gathering, Follett representatives expressed appreciation for the close working relationship between bookstore associates and campus administration, along with “the sense of integrity” that Follett has provided to the supportive campus community.
According to Store Manager Terry Burkhalter, “Follett is viewed as the genius behind the success of EMU’s store because of their adherence to high standards and code of ethics.”
Reasons Behind Success
Other reasons behind the store’s 10 years of success include the service-oriented bookstore staff and the professionalism exuded by the store’s layout and design in the University Commons.
“Over a dozen faculty and staff were asked what they thought were reasons that EMU and Follett’s partnership was successful. The overwhelming response was ‘customer service,'” Burkhalter said. “They acknowledged that the staff is committed to the goals, objectives and mission of the university.
“One faculty member elaborated on how professional and modern the store fixtures, layout and color scheme looked, which further affirmed Follett’s role as a partner with EMU,” he added.
Regional Manager Bob Blake applauded the store’s involvement in both academic and non-academic events on campus.
“Follett’s partnership at Eastern Mennonite exemplifies community outreach,” Blake said. “Burkhalter’s involvement with the entire community at Eastern Mennonite is both refreshing and exciting… In addition, the EMU Bookstore staff is focused at delivering the highest level of customer service to the campus.”
In recalling some of his favorite memories at EMU, Terry reflected on his region’s fall meeting in 2006: “We were put on the spot to host an opportunity for others to come to our store. Being rather apprehensive, we tried our best to put our best foot forward.
“It wasn’t till the event was nearly over that I realized that we didn’t need to be nervous about our store’s size or performance,” Burkhalter said. “The reality is that every store, every campus and every manager brings something unique to the table, and our purpose and role as managers is to be our very best, living out the Follett values.”
Burkhalter has managed the university bookstore since Aug. 1, 1997. The facility has a staff of two associates. Follett operates 771 college, university and high school bookstores in the US and Canada.