After 15 years of distinguished service to the Graaskamp Center for Real Estate and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Michael Brennan, Irgens Executive Director of the Graaskamp Center and Faculty Associate for the Real Estate Private Equity (REPE) Graduate Track, announced his retirement effective May 31, 2024. During Mike’s tenure at the Graaskamp Center, he has been a passionate, strategic, and successful leader. He has significantly strengthened and expanded the Graaskamp Center Advisory Board from 70 members in 2009 to 145 at its peak.
He created innovative new programs, such as the Graaskamp on the Road Roundtable Series; the Global Real Estate Markets (GREM) Conference, which was held annually for 10 years at the New York Stock Exchange; and the Graaskamp Center/Real Estate Club Innovator Award, which honors the most innovative leaders in the industry. Thanks to Mike’s vision and strategic planning, the conferences hosted by the Center are known as the best in the industry offering high-level content and networking and featuring presenters who are some of the most important leaders in the industry.
In addition, Mark Irgens, CEO of Irgens and a passionate and dedicated Real Estate alum and Graaskamp Center board member, worked closely with Mike to generously endow the Executive Directorship position for $2 million. Mark and Mike have maintained a close friendship over the years and his Irgens’ gift has had a tremendous positive impact on the Center.
In 2018, Mike began teaching the Applied Real Estate Investment Track (AREIT) to graduate students and then transitioned to co-teaching the Real Estate Private Equity (REPE) Track with Graaskamp Center Director Mark Eppli since its inception in 2020. As an industry leader, Mike’s unique insights and experiences have enriched the student experience in the classroom and he always generously shares his time and wisdom with the students.
Graaskamp Center Director Mark Eppli said, “Mike’s depth of knowledge of all things real estate is impressive and he has a real passion for and commitment to the Wisconsin Real Estate Program. I’m grateful that were able to co-teach the REPE Track for the past four years.”
While Mike is retiring from the Graaskamp Center, he will continue his very busy job as Co-Founder, Chairman, Managing Principal of Brennan Investment Group (BIG), a highly successful Chicago-based industrial real estate company with over $6 billion in assets. Mike’s transition from the Center will give him extra time for one of his favorite activities – hanging out with his new grandson as he looks forward to his next grandchild due in May.
Mike has been incredibly generous to the Graaskamp Center — he has donated over $100,000 to student scholarships/support and generously donated $150,000 to sponsor the Graaskamp on the Road Roundtable Series for the next three years. He will continue to be an active member of the board and will co-host the Graaskamp on the Road events for the next three years. The Graaskamp Center team is grateful for Mike’s generous support over the years and we very much look forward to his continued involvement with the Center.
Mark Eppli Continues as Teaching Professor, Steps Down as Director of the Graaskamp Center
After six years of serving as Director of the Graaskamp Center, Mark Eppli will be stepping down effective May 31, 2024. Fortunately for Graaskamp Center and the WSB, Mark will be following his passion for teaching and will continue to teach for the Wisconsin Real Estate Program. During his tenure as Director of the Center, Mark led the Center with enthusiastic dedication and success, and led many important and innovative initiatives that have contributed to the Graaskamp Center’s #1 ranking by US News & World Report, 2023-24.
This includes the revision of the undergraduate real estate curriculum to better align with industry needs; leading the efforts to re-launch the 1-Year Real Estate Master of Science; and working with the Graaskamp Center team and the Wisconsin Real Estate Alumni Association (WREAA) to launch the innovative Real Estate Private Equity (REPE) Track.
Last November, Mark also coordinated the highly successful inaugural Harrison Street Case Competition with the Real Estate Private Equity Club. He has also been an amazing ambassador for the Program and has raised the national visibility of the Center by delivering numerous presentations to many important industry organizations, such as the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, ULI, WRA and NAIOP. Mark is also a stellar fundraiser and has led multiple successful fundraising efforts, including the $1.8M for the Center Director Endowment and $400K for the James J. Curtis Student Experiential Learning Fund.
Mark has a BBA, MS and PhD degree in Real Estate and Urban Land Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison so his passion for the Wisconsin Real Estate Program runs deep. He is an engaging teacher and presenter, known for his enthusiasm and dedication to his students. He truly appreciates student curiosity and engagement and is always willing to provide encouragement and advice. The Graaskamp Center team is thrilled that Mark will remain on board as a Distinguished Teaching Professor.
WSB Dean Vallabh Sambamurthy, says, “The Graaskamp Center’s world-class reputation thrived under Mark and Mike’s leadership. Their visionary leadership, unwavering commitment to excellence and genuine passion for the growth of our students have left a lasting mark on our Center. They have led with integrity and innovation. Their impact will continue to resonate within these halls and well beyond.”
Yongheng Deng, Chair of the Department of Real Estate and Urban Land Economics, added, “The impact of Mike and Mark’s many contributions to the Wisconsin Real Estate Program will continue for many years to come. Both have inspired many students to study and pursue careers in real estate; and their commitment to alumni, board members, students, and staff is reflected in the enduring relationships they have cultivated over the years. We will all miss their graciousness, good humor and dedication.”
A Bright Future Ahead
Building on the momentum of another record-breaking year, the future is bright for the Graaskamp Center and the Wisconsin Real Estate Program. We look forward to the full launch of the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Development Graduate Track in the Fall of 2024; implementation of the revised BBA curriculum; and continued growth of the two WREAA REPE funds, as well the expansion of co-curricular activities for our students.
Looking to the future, the Center will be hiring for the roles of the Director and Executive Director as one position and hiring for a new position focused on teaching and directing the Real Estate Private Equity (REPE) Program. Members of the search committee include staff and faculty from the Center and Department faculty/staff, as well as one representative from WREAA. The national search for both positions will begin soon with an anticipated start date of June 2024. Please forward names of any well-qualified individuals that you may know who could carry on the Wisconsin Real Estate Legacy to Lee Gottschalk at lee.gottschalk@wisc.edu.
Please join us in extending our warmest wishes to Mike Brennan and Mark Eppli as they venture into their new roles; may they continue to achieve success in all their future endeavors.
On behalf of Mark and Mike and all of us at the Wisconsin Real Estate Program, we want thank all of our loyal and passionate alumni, board members, donors and friends of the Wisconsin Real Estate Program who have shared your time, talent, and financial support over the years. Your thoughtful generosity allows us to deliver a world-class education and to bring student opportunities to new heights. We couldn’t achieve these milestones without you!
A Legacy of Innovation, Leadership, and Transformative Change
As the Graaskamp Center embarks on these leadership transitions, we want to recognize the significance of Mike and Mark’s ongoing support and leadership that has resulted in continued success and record-breaking milestones and accomplishments for the Center.
# 1 Ranking: For the second year in a row, the Wisconsin Real Estate Undergraduate Program is Ranked # 1 by U.S. News & World Report, 2022-23; the Real Estate MBA is ranked # 6.
Record enrollment: 810 Real Estate Students
- 717 undergraduate students majoring in Real Estate
- 83 graduate students, including:
- 15 Global Real Estate Master’s students
- 50 MSRE
- 18 RE MBA
- 10 PhD Students
Expanded Outreach and Applied Learning Opportunities: 51 Student Events/Field Trips and 11 Graaskamp Conferences and Events in 2023
- Career Fairs: Career Fairs are now being hosted in the Fall and Spring. 2023 saw record corporate engagement at out Fall and Spring Career Fairs
- Student Field Trips: London, England; Berlin, Germany; Los Angeles, CA; Minneapolis, MN; Washington DC; Milwaukee, WI; New York, NY; Boston, MA; Austin, TX
- Center Conferences and Events
- Wisconsin Real Estate & Economic Outlook Conference in Madison, WI
- Fall Forecast Forum in Chicago, IL
- Spring Board Conference in Chicago, IL
- Graaskamp on the Road events hosted in Orlando, FL; Phoenix, AZ; Nashville, NT; Washington, DC; Newport Beach, CA
More than $5 Million in Center/Department Financial Support
- $2M for Nathan F. Brand Chair in Real Estate
- $2M for the Irgens Executive Director Endowment
- $1.8M for Center Director Endowment
- $1M for Gary J. Gorman Affordable Housing
- $400K fir the James J. Curtis Student Experiential Learning Fund
- $100K from the Wisconsin Mortgage Bankers Association
- $150,000 from Michael Brennan to Sponsor the Graaskamp on the Road Roundtable Series
- $120K for scholarship support from Michael Brennan and alumnus Aruhn Bhatia
Strong Job Placement
- BBA: $78,400 starting salary with 96% placement
- MBA: $115,000 starting salary with 80% placement
- MS: $78,400 starting salary with 90% placement
Four Innovative Graduate Tracks
- Real Estate Private Equity (REPE) Track
- Applies real Estate Investment Track (AREIT): a one-of-a-kind graduate track where students select, and then manage, a multi-million-dollar U.S. Equity REIT portfolio
- Affordable and Sustainable Housing Development Track
- Real Estate Development Track
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