| While it's no small accomplishment to dedicate a | | | | knowledge. Joel felt those values would not be |
| couple of decades to grow a company to $2 million in | | | | promoted at a secular school, and it was important |
| revenue a year, Joel Bomgaars has done exactly | | | | to him that his education come from a "Christian |
| that... but in just two years. Joel is the Founder and | | | | world and life view". Joel believes the nature of a |
| CEO of NetworkStreaming, a company that he | | | | Christian college leads to academic strength because |
| began to develop during his senior year at the | | | | of the importance the Christian faith places on |
| Christian college he attended. NetworkStreaming's | | | | striving for excellence in all areas of life. |
| products allow their customers "to remotely connect | | | | The professors Joel encountered had an approach to |
| with any computer, anywhere in the world, in less | | | | teaching that was based in Christian service. This |
| than 10 seconds" - a rather impressive concept for a | | | | service-oriented outlook translated to relationships |
| senior in college to begin to develop. | | | | that extended beyond classroom walls. Joel noticed |
| A 2003 Christian college graduate in business | | | | professors who were actively engaged in the lives of |
| administration, Joel has already guided | | | | their students. |
| NetworkStreaming to 33 employees and a customer | | | | How the Christian college experience impacts Joel's |
| base of over 1,300 in 50 states and 32 countries | | | | decisions today |
| around the globe. NetworkStreaming's customer list | | | | Joel believes one of the reasons for his success is |
| includes such names as AIG, Nissan, UBS and Farm | | | | the high value that Christian colleges place on |
| Bureau Insurance to name a few. | | | | relationships. This emphasis impacts his daily decisions |
| So what impact did attending a Christian college have | | | | at NetworkStreaming as he recognizes the |
| on Joel Bomgaars, and what led to his tremendous | | | | importance of each person as an individual who has |
| success? NetworkStreaming states: "Our vision is to | | | | been created in the image of God. Even when Joel |
| provide technical solutions while honoring God and | | | | encounters a difficult employee situation, respect for |
| developing our people." This one sentence provides | | | | the individual is essential. This perspective appears to |
| great insight into the priorities of Joel and his | | | | contradict today's business culture where decisions |
| company. | | | | often seem to be based exclusively on financial |
| A CEO's perspective on hiring Christian college | | | | considerations. The success of NetworkStreaming |
| graduates | | | | suggests that Joel's approach has served him well. |
| While it's significant to talk about how greatly Joel | | | | Evaluating "Success" |
| values his Christian college education, it's a different | | | | One of the threads that is woven throughout my |
| matter to see it demonstrated in a tangible way. | | | | discussion with Joel is the importance that he places |
| Perhaps the most compelling example of Joel's high | | | | on people. Joel makes it clear that his staff are one |
| regard for his education is revealed by considering | | | | of the most vital components to his success. And as |
| those he has employed. Currently, over half of | | | | important as it is to have good people around him, |
| NetworkStreaming's employees are individuals, who | | | | Joel's quick to say that "blessings from God" are |
| at one time or another, attended that same Christian | | | | probably the primary reason for his achievements. On |
| college he attended. From the perspective of a CEO, | | | | the wall inside Joel's office you would see, "the |
| Joel believes that recruiting Christian college grads is | | | | horses prepare for the day of the battle but victory |
| simply a wise business decision, as they often bring a | | | | rests with the Lord." In talking with Joel, there is a |
| solid work ethic, integrity, strong interpersonal skills | | | | genuine humility that causes him to realize that while |
| and a well balanced view of life to the workplace. | | | | a company can have a great product or staff, |
| These characteristics can provide the building blocks | | | | ultimately "success" is a gift from God. |
| for a strong foundation leading to success in their | | | | Getting real... and a little advice |
| profession. Joel believes that Christian colleges | | | | When asked about how his college experience |
| provide a great starting point in business for these | | | | influences his personal life, Joel speaks of such |
| reasons. | | | | concepts as balance and a Christian worldview. His |
| Why did someone like Joel Bomgaars attend a | | | | Christian college background helps Joel harmonize his |
| Christian college? | | | | family, friends and work. Joel would "highly |
| Joel knew early in the process of choosing a college | | | | recommend attending a Christian college" because of |
| that a small Christian college was the right choice for | | | | the significant impact it can have on one's personal |
| him. His decision took him only a short drive of 10 or | | | | and professional life. When asked if he had to do it |
| 15 minutes from his home. This arrangement allowed | | | | over again, would he attend a Christian college, Joel |
| him to have a job near his home while attending | | | | responds, "absolutely". Joel believes that his education |
| college. His motivation for attending a Christian college | | | | was "worth every penny." For Joel Bomgaars, |
| was rooted in his desire to be in an environment that | | | | attending a Christian college was a key step on the |
| would encourage "wisdom and values" in addition to | | | | road to his success. |