Visiting Executives Share Insights with Students

David Novak (BJ '74) speaks with a student following his presentation of a Dean's Distinguished Lecture.

Who would have thought some advice one of the most prominent CEOs in the nation might give to an auditorium full of eager listeners would be to reward employees for good work with rubber chickens and oversized chili peppers?  That’s what students heard from David Novak, CEO of Yum! Brands, Inc., when he visited the college to present a Dean’s Distinguished Lecture last October.  Bush Auditorium was filled with students, faculty, alumni, and community members to hear the 2006 Homecoming Grand Marshal deliver his address “Building Dynasty Performance.”  Novak’s lecture focused heavily on “catching employees doing something right” and recognizing them for it.

Lessons such as these are a powerful supplement to the classroom experiences of College of Business students.  Hearing how successful business men and women have progressed in their careers, including dealing with challenges and setbacks, helps students understand how attributes such as integrity, a sense of entrepreneurship, and discipline are essential to building a successful career. 

Students learn from visiting executives and entrepreneurs not just in lectures but also through one-on-one conversations and small group meetings with the visitors.  Many of the businesspeople who come to Cornell Hall spend time with students at a luncheon and teach classes.  The opportunities our students have to engage in real conversations with the speakers help the college achieve its objectives related to professional development of students and collaboration with the business community.    

Pam Patsley (BS Acc ’79) addresses a small group of Crosby MBA students about the payment industry nationwide and abroad before presenting a Schram Lecture in International Business to a larger audience in Bush Auditorium.

Pam Patsley (BS Acc '79) addresses a small group
of Crosby MBA students about the payment
industry nationwide and abroad before presenting
a Schram Lecture in International Business to a
larger audience in Bush Auditorium.

Tamra Hipp, a first-year Crosby MBA student, says that getting to spend time with Pam Patsley, president of First Data International who presented a Schram Lecture in International Business, did more than allow her to get to know the successful businesswoman personally.  “It can often be intimidating to strike up a conversation with successful business executives, but after having lunch and good conversation with Ms. Patsley I feel much more confident about networking,” says Hipp.  “I also left the meeting feeling very inspired about my career.” 

Throughout the fall semester the College of Business welcomed 60 guest speakers.  Among the presentations were two Dean’s Distinguished Lectures, a Scott CEO Forum, a Vaughan Executive-in-Residence, and a Schram Lecture in International Business.  Read more about each of the college’s various lecture series.    

“Our college has made a commitment to bring successful alumni and other executives and business owners to campus to inform us and provoke our thinking about important issues,” says Dean Bruce Walker.  “These speakers are a welcome complement to the excellent classroom instruction our faculty members provide to students.” 

The roster of distinguished visitors for this semester includes: 

Executive-in-Residence
David Sides, VP, Cerner, UK, TBA

John Schram Lecture in International Business
Dan Henry, co-founder and former president, Euronet Worldwide Inc., February 1

Tom and Betty Scott CEO Forum
Jack Stack, founder and CEO, SRC Holdings Corporation, March 1

Speakers who visited during the fall 2006 semester were:

Dean’s Distinguished Lecture
Ed Rapp, VP of building construction products division, Caterpillar, Inc.

David Novak, CEO and chairman, Yum! Brands, Inc.

John Schram Lecture in International Business
Pam Patsley, president, First Data International

Tom and Betty Scott CEO Forum
Barnett Helzberg, former chairman, Helzberg Diamonds
 
Vaughan Executive-in-Residence
José Gutiérrez, president and CEO, AT&T Southwest

Professor-for-a-Day
Bruce Allen, managing director, MarketSphere Consulting      

Sonya Andreassen, director, PricewaterhouseCoopers        

Chris Barbee, partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers        

Alexei Baskakov, Manager, PricewaterhouseCoopers         

Rob Bell, VP, Steelville Manufacturing Company     

Jeff Brandt, VP strategic account management, Talisen Technologies   

John Brase, brand manager, Procter & Gamble Company    

Mark Bumgarner, partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers        

Mark Cady, VP, business web development, Pennsylvania Higher Educational Assistance Agency

David Caffrey, president and CEO, Premier Bancorp     

Chris Carman, managing director, Investment Banking, A.G. Edwards    

Apryl Cross, Boeing          

Stephanie Davenport, Market Research Analyst, Bass Pro Shops       

Shirley DeJarnette, treasurer, University of Missouri System     

Stephen Durr, CFO, Primary Network       

Mike Dyer, director, PricewaterhouseCoopers        

Brad Eiffert, general manager, Boone County Lumber     

Katie Essing, senior general manager, Columbia and Capital Malls

Kristin  Frueh, Boeing   

Tom Golden, partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers        

Keith Graves, CFO, Talx Corporation        

Gwen Gray, business and economics librarian, MU’s Ellis Library

Joe Hegger, senior VP, Colliers Turley Martin Tucker   

Brant Hendricks, Boeing          

Datra Herzog, owner, Herzog & Rhoads, Inc.     

Katie Hughes, portfolio administrator, Colliers Turley Martin Tucker    

Charles Hunter, regional human resources manager, Commerce Bank    

Dr. Kaye Newberry, professor, University of Houston      

Tim Krause, chief marketing officer, Alcatel North America     

Nikki Krawitz, VP of finance and administration, University of Missouri System

Kurt Kuhn, wealth management advisor, Merrill Lynch & Co.    

Terry Lister, chief regulatory officer, Waddell Reed     

Brandon Mann, senior VP, Colliers Turley Martin Tucker  

Melody Marcks, VP and director of human resources, Boone County National Bank

Jane Maurer, IT Recruiter, A.G. Edwards        

Keith McLaughlin, senior VP, The Bank of Missouri    

Bill McNamara, CEO, Macy's Midwest        

Mills Menser, VP, Buchroeder's Jewelers      

Scott Moore, senior portfolio manager, American Century Investments    

Jeff Offutt, owner/operator, Subway Restaurants       

Jerome Rader, VP, human resources, MBS Textbook Exchange, Inc.   

Pete Roman, partner, North America, Alsbridge      

Carin Shulusky, president, Marketing Alliance        

Steve Smith, president, Columbia market, Premier Bank     

Shannon  Spiess, transaction manager, Colliers Turley Martin Tucker    

Dan Staton, co-owner, Marc Bell Capital Partners     

Al Strain, managing director, State Street      

Ron Sweet, member of the firm, Oliver Walker Wilson LLC, Attorneys at Law

Brian Ungles, VP, Colliers Turley Martin Tucker