The Briefing
WSB’s Terry Warfield recognized for career of service and scholarship amid retirement
Last month, Terry Warfield retired from his 35-year career at WSB, leaving behind an exceptional legacy of excellence, achievement, and service. A professor of accounting and information systems, Warfield taught thousands of students, published 40 articles and three books, and received numerous awards—but it’s his enduring support of those around him that colleagues say truly set him apart.
Meet the 2024 WSB Alumni Award recipients
WSB is excited to announce the 2024 recipients of the Distinguished Business Alumni Award and WSB Impact Award. Honored for their exceptional careers, far-reaching impacts, volunteer work, and service to WSB, this esteemed lineup of six Business Badgers will be recognized by their peers at a celebratory reception in October. “We are incredibly pleased to honor such accomplished and dedicated members of our Business Badger family,” says Vallabh “Samba” Sambamurthy, WSB’s Albert O. Nicholas Dean.
Experiential learning spotlight on business analytics
At WSB, experiential learning is a critical component of business education that provides students with the hands-on experiences they need to take the business world by storm. During WSB’s Master of Science-Business: Analytics (MSBA) Consulting Practicum last spring, 18 companies worked with 23 teams of MSBA students, including alum Luqman Godil (MS ’24). Paired with the Madison-based company Fetch, Godil appreciated being presented with real-life challenges.
The Ticker
- ICYMI: Vallabh “Samba” Sambamurthy has accepted his reappointment and will continue to serve as WSB’s Albert O. Nicholas Dean.
- Prize-winning paper: WSB’s Jan Heide (MBA ’82, PhD ’87) received his fourth Louis W. Stern Award from the American Marketing Association for his article, “The Temporary Marketing Organization.”
- Log on and level up: UW–Madison was ranked #1 on Forbes Advisor’s list of Best Online Business Management Degrees Of 2024.
- What’s in a name?: Shortly after Vice President Kamala Harris began her campaign for president, WSB’s Stav Atir spoke with media outlets like Glamour, Today, and CNN about her research on why people are more likely to refer to prominent women by their first names.
- The rankings are in: WSB was ranked #3 Best Marketing MBA Program and #5 Best Human Resources MBA Program by The Princeton Review.
- Bump, set, silver: Business Badger Dana Rettke (BBA ’21) won a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics as part of the U.S. women’s indoor volleyball team.
Back to School
Employer Support for Your Part-Time MBA
Thousands of Business Badgers are back in the classroom for the Fall 2024 semester, ready and eager to build their business acumen and prepare for life after graduation. That includes students in WSB’s professional and executive MBA programs, which allow participants to grow their business expertise while still keeping their full-time jobs.
If you’re thinking about pursuing a part-time MBA, remember that your employer can play an important role in your business school journey, and provide the critical support—like financial sponsorship and increased flexibility—that make your business dreams a reality.
Before seeking support from your employer, consider these key questions:
1. Conduct self-reflection: How might the skills you develop in the program translate to your current role?
2. Identify your value proposition: What skills and competencies are central to your career journey and how have you utilized these abilities to support the goals of the organization?
3. Pinpoint the benefit to your employer: What are the short-term and long-term goals of the organization and how can an MBA degree help you to support these aspirations?
4. Understand the process: Are there organizational policies associated with pursuing an advanced degree?
Read more questions to consider from the MBA program office at WSB.
Tip Sheet
Mission-Oriented Leadership: Is It Right for Me?
Peter Faricy, former chief executive officer of SunPower Corporation, shared his perspective on mission-oriented leadership as part of the M. Keith Weikel MBA Leadership Speaker Series at Grainger Hall. According to Faricy, mission-oriented leadership goes above and beyond the leader of the company or the financial results. Instead, it focuses on the goal—and the dream—of what you’re trying to achieve.
If you’re considering mission-oriented leadership in your organization, consider Faricy’s key takeaways:
- Why it works: Mission-oriented leadership engages employees, attracts talent, and fosters resilience—especially in the face of adversity.
- The challenges: There’s little room for advancement, people often take on a nonprofit mindset, and egos can get in the way.
- Faricy’s reflective questions: Does your company mission matter to you? Should you incorporate the company mission into how you lead? How can you take advantage of the mission while minimizing any downsides?
Alumni Opportunities
September 19: Last chance to register for WSB in MPLS, an in-person networking event for Twin City Business Badgers.
September 27: Join WSB’s Strategic Human Resource Management Center for the 2024 SHR Symposium at UW–Madison’s Pyle Center. Register today to reconnect with peers, engage with faculty, and hear from Update magazine 8 to Watch alumnus Marcus Alston (MBA ’19).
October 18: Join us for “The Purpose-Driven Path: Insights for Aspiring Entrepreneurs” with Alice Ferris (BA ’91, MBA ’94), an upcoming event at Grainger Hall that will include a special “Connect WI!” industry networking session with incoming MBA and Master’s students (contact Amanda.Kost@wisc.edu to participate). This event is part of the M. Keith Weikel MBA Leadership Speaker Series and will be livestreamed.
October 24–25: Feathery flamingo fun is on the horizon! Save the date for this year’s Fill the Hill event to support experiential learning at WSB.
October 26: Sign up now for WSB’s 2024 Homecoming Bash!
Subscribe today: Stay updated on the groundbreaking research and teaching excellence of WSB faculty through our new Leading the Way newsletter on LinkedIn.
Job search resources: Use online tools and videos to help plan a career move now or in the future.
Stay connected: Network with other Business Badgers by joining the Wisconsin Business Alumni LinkedIn group.
About Business Casual
Every other month, alumni and friends of the Wisconsin School of Business will receive insider updates with news about our alumni, faculty, students, and programs. If you want to share Business Casual with friends, they can sign up at go.wisc.edu/wsb-biz-cas.
Questions or comments? Email businesscasual@wsb.wisc.edu
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