“Looking back over the twenty-two years of teaching undergraduate and graduate courses, the number of students that I have taught would be in excess of 5,000.”
In the Wisconsin School of Business (WSB), there are educators that often leave a lasting impact on the hearts of their students. Phillip (Phil) Greenwood, a senior lecturer in strategy and entrepreneurship, is now closing the door and leaving behind a breadth of experiences and a satisfying teaching career that stemmed from his passion of business and entrepreneurship.
Growing up in West Bend, Wisconsin, Phil always knew he was meant to be a Badger. Urged by the 1980’s recession, Phil received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting in 1984, earned his CPA license and started his early career at KPMG. Phil specialized in small business advisory services, sparking his interest in entrepreneurship. Phil later expanded his industry experience at the McDonald’s corporation, performing audits of franchisees across the US. Conflicted to leave industry, Phil knew he wanted to further pursue his education. After staying another year, returned to UW to pursue his MBA and had the opportunity to work as a Research Assistant in the Executive Education Program where he recognized his calling for teaching. Finishing his Master of Business Administration degree in 1989, Phil went to work at Abbot, but the desire to teach persisted. Finally, in 1995, he returned to UW to pursue a Ph.D. degree in Continuing and Vocational Education and came upon a class called the Weinert Applied Ventures in Entrepreneurship (WAVE) which was being offered for the first time. Phil became the Assistant Director of WAVE while finishing his work on his Ph.D. graduating in 2002, Phil was then offered a full-time teaching position at the Wisconsin School of Business.
During his time teaching, Phil has taught countless courses such as Entrepreneurial Finance, Venture Creation, Entrepreneurial Management, Business Strategy, Strategic Management of Innovation and more. With entrepreneurship as his life passion, Phil is extremely knowledgeable and business savvy and was able to share his first-hand experiences with his students. What sets Phil apart is not just his scholarly achievements but the care he displays with his students. When reflecting on what he loves the most about teaching, Phil says “It’s usually not the class, it’s the students that make it up…One of my favorite things is that students actually learn something and they can apply it.”
Phil’s breadth of experience is not restricted to just the University. His global impact is evident through his engagement as a guest lecturer at international universities across France, Spain, Turkey, and various other countries. Outside of his teaching experience, Phil’s dedication to learning and making an impact on communities is seen through his other interests. Over the years, Phil has served as a board member for multiple startups and nonprofits around Madison, including Breathe for Change and the Overture Center Foundation (OCF) board of directors. He is committed to making a positive contribution to build upon the success of these businesses.
Phil is proud to be part of the ever-changing role of innovation and entrepreneurship at the Wisconsin School of Business. He thanks Alan Filley, who unfortunately passed away years ago, as one of the first professors to research entrepreneurship and leave a legacy for him to follow. He also acknowledges Robert (Bob) Pricer, who started the WAVE class and whom he worked closely with. Phil notes: “Entrepreneurship is like tech companies. You got your ups and downs. All of a sudden everyone wants to be an entrepreneur. The classes are full. The economy is going good…It’s a cycle.”
Phil has not only excelled in his academic, professional, and teaching career, but has also made significant contributions to growing entrepreneurship in the Wisconsin School of Business. His classes reach far beyond basic business knowledge and serve as inspiration and a desire to create business that make the world a better place. It has been a privilege to have Phil teach our students over the years. His contributions he has made to entrepreneurship are not just confined to textbooks, but in the experience, he has been able to provide to the students.
What will Phil do after teaching his last class? He says, “First, travel, probably go out West. And then go to Europe in the fall. Upon his return, Phil plans to begin his own advisory business…who knows!” Phil will continue to make an impact in retirement.
We thank Phil for his service, dedication to students, loyalty to the UW and the tremendous role he has played in educating students with entrepreneurial aspirations.
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