The Elizabethtown College School of Business continued its Mars Wrigley Lecture Series in the spring 2025 semester, hosting three speakers on campus to offer students a real-world perspective from experts across various disciplines.
Karen King MBA ’25 – Audit Associate at Brown Plus and Nonprofit Leader
Karen King MBA ’25 opened the spring lecture series on Feb. 14. King is an audit associate at Brown Plus in Lancaster and a passionate community advocate, serving as the treasurer for YWCA Lancaster and a board member for Bridge of Hope National – an organization focused on advancing equity and supporting families in need. She is also involved with the Lancaster Chamber, United Way of Lancaster County, and the Lancaster Community Foundation.
King highlighted living with intention, giving examples from her own career journey. She spoke about the importance of making conscious choices and aligning actions with values and goals, leading to a fulfilling and meaningful life where actions have purpose.
“College isn’t just about earning a degree – it’s about growth, discovery, and learning who you are,” King said. “The path may not always be straight, but trust that every challenge is shaping you into the person you want to become.”
Jeremy Bitz ’96 – Senior Director, Customer Strategy and Engagement at Warner Bros. Discovery
Alumnus Jeremy Bitz ’96 continued the lecture series on March 14. Bitz is the Senior Director of Customer Strategy and Engagement at Warner Bros. Discovery, marking a nearly three-decade career in media. During his time at Etown, Bitz, a Mass Communications major and a Business Administration minor, was heavily involved in student media. He got his first job with NY1 in New York City after completing an internship with the company the summer before his senior year.
He spoke to students about how to navigate their career paths, manage people, and handle a rapidly changing job force. Bitz emphasized networking and utilizing connections and listening skills to advance your career.
“You are responsible, ultimately, for your journey,” Bitz said. “No one manages this for you. How you get from here to there is your responsibility. There are all kinds of pieces you don’t control, but the journey is your responsibility.”
Frank Barrett, Chairman of the Board at Boyd-Wilson
Frank Barrett is the Chairman of the Board of Boyd-Wilson, a property management company in Lancaster, Pa. Barrett spoke to students about his journey from being a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) to gaining a seat in the boardroom.
Barrett imparted the value of hard work to students, speaking about jobs he held while he was in middle and high school and the lessons he learned working as a paperboy, a dishwasher, and a short-order cook. He talked about how to gain skills from everything you do, including multi-tasking, organization, cleanliness, honesty, and excellence.
“My journey has been very unique,” Barrett said. “Everybody in this room is going to have a unique journey, and you have to enjoy it. Most of what I learned that got me to where I am today happened before I stumbled into accounting.”
About the Mars Wrigley Lecture Series
The Mars Wrigley Confectionery partnered with Elizabethtown College in 2013 to create an Executive Lecture Series, bringing senior executives from a variety of industries to talk about their experiences. The series will continue in the fall 2025 semester with guest lecturers to be announced.
