To celebrate 60 years of NIU College of Business graduates, alumnus and trustee Dennis Barsema, class of 1977, will moderate a conversation among Dean Emeritus David Graf, Dean Emeritus Denise Schoenbachler and current Dean Balaji Rajagopalan. The discussion will follow key milestones and how each dean helped build, support and innovate in the College of Business through the years. 

All are welcome to attend the discussion, and registration is free through the Wednesday Night Wisdom page on NIU’s website. This event will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on March 2.  

NIU’s College of Business has launched the virtual speaker series Wednesday Night Wisdom in an attempt to keep students, staff and alumni engaged in the learning experience. This series will also help attendees connect with others.

Forging virtual connections

After remote learning began in the Spring 2020 semester, students are more eager to connect with others when possible.

“We were very pleased at our business students’ willingness to engage virtually through Wednesday Night Wisdom during the remote learning period,” Amy Buhrow, senior director of Strategy, Student Success and Accreditation said. “As we returned to in-person and on-campus programming in Fall 2021, we wanted to continue this online series to keep our students, alumni and friends connected to one another and to keep them learning, wherever they may be.”

The College of Business hosts around 500 alumni and business professional visits each year. The Wednesday Night Wisdom series allows current students to learn and connect with professionals and mentors while inviting valued alumni back to NIU to share their experiences and expertise in business, industry and leadership. 

“The NIU College of Business has an expansive and highly informed base of alumni and faculty — any one of whom could be described as an expert in any number of fields,” said Cassandra Young, College of Business director of Alumni Relations. “Time and time again, they have proven the value of their knowledge as consultants through publications, to students and to other alumni.”

Wednesday Night Wisdom events are streamed at least once per month. Live events are recorded and can be viewed through the NIU College of Business Alumni website.