The worlds of business and art will mingle when the West Virginia University College of Business and Economics holds aLeadership Is an Artreception from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 9, at Erickson Alumni Center.

The reception will include a free leadership profile for participants and an exhibit by West Virginia artist and WVU graduate Lotus MacDowell. Anyone who would like one of the professional profiles must register by Sept. 1 to receive the customized document at the event. To register, visithttp://www.be.wvu.eduor call Elizabeth Critch-Parsons at 293-7926.

The reception will also provide information about a five-week course throughout October on Friday evenings and Saturdays that focuses on the best practices of todays businesses.

Called MBA Essentials, the course is designed for individuals who want to know the most current business practices but do not have time to invest in a master’s degree in business administration, or who want an introduction to further business studies. The non-degree program provides an introduction to the foundations, concepts, techniques and business vocabulary that form the basis for management today and is a sample of what a full MBA includes.

Some of the topics covered are organizational behavior and motivation, leadership, a leadership profile, marketing management, economics for managers, human resources law, strategic management, and negotiations and conflict management. College of Business and Economics faculty and guest lecturers teach the course. Participants may select to enroll in the entire program or individual sessions.

Completion of the program results in an MBA Essentials certificate from the WVU Executive Education Program. The 14-topic program is approved for 4.2 professional continuing education units. Successful completion of the entire program results in three college credits at WVU or a one-course reduction in the degree requirements for the WVU Executive MBA program, which is offered in nine locations in West Virginia.