definitely approached talking with the executives differently than our professors,” says Rob Strauss ’13, of Verona, Pa. “It’s a more formal interaction, which is good practice for life after college.” Tim Statton was energized by presenting a business case in one of Randy Rosenberger’s classes. Statton, who retired from Bechtel Power in 2009, used a Bechtel case involving a project in India that had been written up three times in the Harvard Business Review and continues to marvel at the interactions between the students and himself and Rosenberger. “There was one young woman in the class who kept suggesting solutions that were exactly what (Bechtel) did in that situation,” he says. “The student feedback was impressive.” The executives in residence interviewed for this story all agreed
“We definitely approached talking with the executives differently than our professors. It’s a more formal interaction, which is good practice for life after college.”
that continued use of alumni businesspeople is a must. Although the executives who have done a residency have had long, successful careers, they all still remember the feeling of sitting in a college classroom—without the right answers. “We all identify with what the students are going through, that feeling of ‘Am I doing the right thing?’” Statton says. “All the way up to the day I retired I was thinking the same thing. I just told the classes don’t be afraid to make mistakes.” In the coming year, two more executives will provide insight and expertise. Lisa Giles ’80, founder and CEO of Giles & Associates consultancy, will do a fall residency. Mike Appleby ’84, vice president at QVC Network, will return in the spring. For all the time spent by the executives in classrooms and in
counseling sessions, students also say that “down time” with the visiting execs might be the most valuable. “The informal conversations over lunch or in BAC hallways are the best times to talk,” Strauss explains. “I’d recommend having more free time for the executives to eat meals with students. It’s the interactions that aren’t expected that are often the most valuable in the long run.” “It’s a humbling experience to go back where you started,” says Glaeser. “The students I saw that week were highquality, driven students—they were reflective of the College and the quality of education they were receiving.”
Carl Glaeser ’77, an executive with Palladian Capital and a Juniata Trustee, had such a great time teaching that he sent copies of Warren Buffett’s biography to students in Juniata’s investing course. Photo by Sonika Chandra ’15
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2011-2012 President’s Report
—Rob Strauss ’13, accounting, Verona, Pa.