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Favorite class: Finance with David Rush (1982) and IT with Bob Taylor (1983)Best hang out spot: Dark Horse for pizza and beerSuch an exciting time taking classes and building my career in Emergency Medical Services��

~Tom Nelson (MBA‘83)

As a CU MBA graduate and a former Leeds faculty member (1981-2015), I have many fond memories of the MBA program. The program was just five years old when I enrolled in 1970. The marketing faculty at that time was well known for its nationally recognized textbook authors, notably Bill Stanton, Phil Cateora and Chuck Goeldner, among others. My favorite class was Professor Stanton’s Marketing Strategy class, which, though extremely challenging, was well worth the effort. To be honest, it’s difficult for me to look back at my MBA student days without also remembering the turbulent world we lived in at the time (e.,g., Vietnam War, student protests, Kent State shootings).The MBA program has grown in size, diversity, rigor and national recognition since its inception in 1965. I’m proud to have been a part of it.

~Cal Duncan (MBA‘70)

While pursuing my MBA, I would often go to Norlin to study. On study breaks, I found myself most intrigued reading stories and articles in the trade journal Advertising Age. With my MBA in Marketing completed, I then went on to a very successful and rewarding 45 year career in Advertising.

~Ira Berger (MBA’95)

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Being a part of the Leeds community has been one of the most fulfilling parts of my life. In the MBA program I was able to build deep and meaningful connections with a whole spectrum of people, both in the classroom and extracurricular alike. Professors like Ramiro Montealegre challenging us to always remember to be good people and to embrace our inner cosplay skills. And most importantly, having the honor and privilege to be a part of the End the Gap initiatives, Women’s Collective, and Leadership Circles. And now, I get to give back in my career and be a Buffs Super-fan everyday.

~Jordin Clough (�ѵ���’22)

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What I remember most about my time in the Leeds MBA program is how impressed I was with my peers. I joined a community of incredibly bright, ambitious people who were committed to helping each other succeed. I felt at home because so many of them shared my passion for using business to serve people and the planet, and it's been amazing to see the different ways we've been able to put that vision into practice since graduation.

~Julie Waggoner (MBA'16)

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Enjoyed Investments with David Rush and Micro Economics with Charlie Rahe. Of course Ron Melicher finance classes were always great. Always went over to the Alfred Packer for summer ice cream 🍦 on Fridays to see how the other half lived.

Bill Fitzsimmons (MBA’81)

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I’ll never forget a day during the final semester of my MBA when I spent the morning at my marketing internship with IBM, grabbed a quick bite on the go, and headed back to campus for a three-hour marketing class that afternoon. That evening, I walked with a classmate—an international student from China—to the Coors Events Center to hear former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan speak about cultural acceptance, the challenges he faced during his tenure, and the UN’s eight Millennium Development Goals aimed at addressing global poverty. It was one of those rare, deeply fulfilling days that captures the essence of the MBA experience: a full schedule, yes—but also rich with learning, meaningful connections, and personal growth.

~John Helmers (MBA'07)

In the heart of the pandemic, Henry Laurion’s Accounting class gave us something to look forward to—our own “LIFO the Party” celebration on Zoom. As a nod to Last In First Out, we closed out the semester wearing our most fabulous hats on camera, bringing a little levity and personality to the virtual classroom. It was a small but memorable moment that reminded us how creativity (and accounting humor!) could still bring people together.

~Rachel Whaley (�ѵ���’22)

I remember sitting in Professor Buchman’s accounting class. Verbally quizzing the class to be sure we knew the content, Buchman would ask questions about debits, credits, balance sheets, good will, and so it (it was accounting, you get it!). Responses to his solicitations were sometimes (often) incorrect. Buchman would get a big smile on his face, raise is eyebrows, and say, “Oorrrrr?”, with an intonation politely indicating the answer was incorrect, and asking for someone else to rescue the poor student.

~Brian Lewandowski (MBA’07)

Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Statistics & International Business (including the trip to China)��

~Goel Prabhakar (MBA‘17)

Brad Werner completely changed the game for me. After taking his Entrepreneurship class, I finally believed in myself to follow my entrepreneurial goals, forming my company and helping both established clients and student startup teams alike follow their dreams of perfecting their pitches and growing and scaling their companies. Returning to Leeds the last 3 years to work with Brad’s students has been an unbeatable experience and re-lights that entrepreneurial spark each time. Thank you Brad.��

~Emily Luchetti (�ѵ���’22)

Prof. McKinley’s lectures in Economic History, MBA Program were outstanding!��

~Ralph Vickrey (MBA’69)

It's nearly impossible for me to pick one professor, because I really took so much from every class I was in and so much of that was down to the professors. But I think the course that did the most for me was the very first business statistics class from Lori Seward. I came in for a career switch and really felt out of depth in the math courses, but Lori's approach helped me realize that not only could I do statistics, but that I actually loved them, which shaped the entire MBA for me. I made some of my best friends and made the decisions to pursue data analytics through the MBA, which has paid dividends as I've gone back into the marketplace.

~Stephen Krieger (MBA'23)

Prof Vossen always saying to the class "this is not a rhetorical question"I was in Evening MBA and I always enjoyed the conversation and comradery during our pre class meals.

~Ryan Lee (MBA'11)

Organizational Behavior, Wayne Boss, PhD, Catacombs

~Charlie Tombazian (MBA'86)

Dale Meyer and Denis Nock made my CU MBA Entrepreneurial experience better than I ever could have imagined. My 2 best friends in this life were also in the entrepreneurial program and are still in my life 30 years later. Priceless!

~Dan Conser (MBA'97)

Very memorable professors who had wealth of real-world experience....Ken Gordon, John Tracy, Phil White, Dr. Hemsley

~Joe Kigin (MBA'91)

My favorite class is Financial Accounting, taught by Professor Henry Laurion. The place that left the deepest impression on me is the tree outside of Rustandy. It presents a different scene with each season — lush and vibrant in the summer, golden leaves fluttering in the fall, and snow delicately resting on its branches in winter, creating a uniquely beautiful landscape.

~Fangfang Wang (MBA'25)

Enjoyed learning from Henry Laurion, Nathalie Moyen and Brad Werner

~Justin Forbis (MBA'21)

The international residency to Japan and getting a behind the scenes tour of Tokyo Disney was an absolutely incredible experience.

~Kimberly Mallek (EMBA'24)

I am forever thankful for Heather Kennedy! She was insightful, funny and always encouraging. Thank you for all that you bring into the classroom and beyond.

~Alia Burton (MBA'24)

Professor Wayne Boss who taught Organizational Behavior had the best stories! His class was always informative and entertaining!

~Michael McDonnell (MBA'00)

One of my most valuable Leeds MBA classes was an independent study sponsored by Gregg Macaluso. Through that experience, I gained the confidence I needed just before I graduated from the full-time program and re-entered the workforce. The commitment he made to his students and the passion he had for the subjects he taught left a lasting impression on me. I am forever grateful to Gregg and the many other members of the faculty and staff at CU Leeds who ensured I had a successful outcome.

~Nicole Greczyn (MBA'13)

I spent a lot of time hanging out in the Deming Center and the entrepreneurial courses and programming made a huge impact on my time at Leeds.

~Henry Coote (MBA'24)