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Teaching Excellence
Wharton's World-Class Faculty
Mike Useem knows that nothing brings a case study to life
like people who've been there – literally. So last fall, when
Sherron Watkins, the "Enron whistleblower," phoned
to talk about one of his chief research interests, corporate
governance, Useem didn't hesitate. He invited her to
campus – and right into the classroom. The result was an
in-depth examination of what went wrong at Enron. For those lucky enough to have enrolled
in Useem's class, it was rare access to the inner workings of a major event in business history.
"Bringing in people from outside adds another dimension. Students learn more," explains
Useem, William and Jaclyn Egan Professor and Professor of Management, whose third book,
Upward Bound: Mountaineering as Metaphor for Management, is nearing completion. And
learn more they did: In true Wharton style, they asked questions, made comments, and gave
arguments. They came away knowing more about the case than many of them
ever dreamed possible.
It is this kind of immediacy and excitement, what he calls "the fabulous
engagement of the Wharton classroom," that keeps Useem at Wharton when
he could go almost anywhere in academia or the corporate world.
Useem's energy and commitment to learning, not
to mention his research accomplishments, are just one
example of why Wharton's faculty is held in awe around
the globe for innovation, productivity, and intellectual
capital. Together, these 220 men and women are
among the most influential and highly quoted group
of people in the world. From CNN to BusinessWeek,
from National Public Radio to the New York Times, and
on websites and bookshelves everywhere, their voices
are shaping our culture. At any given time, the faculty
is exploring hundreds of research topics, synthesizing
their results into usable information that is changing the
way we do business.
Each year, the faculty at Wharton gains an average
of 10 to 12 new members. Like Useem, they are
drawn to Wharton by the intelligence and spirit of
the students, the impressive accomplishments of the
faculty, and an administration that supports their
research in every way possible. There is, of course,
a flip side: each year, eight to ten Wharton faculty
members leave Wharton, many drawn to other schools
by the promise of endowed chairs, higher salaries, or
more research funding. Likewise, the high-paying
corporate world can recruit top faculty members quite
aggressively.
It's no secret that Wharton has a significantly smaller
endowment than its top competitors, which has led to
fewer endowed chairs. (Currently, Wharton is ranked
eighth in endowment dollars per faculty member.)
Yet most Wharton professors don't measure the school's
assets in dollars.
Franklin Allen, Nippon Life Professor of Finance
and Professor of Economics, has had offers to go
elsewhere. "I'm staying here," he says emphatically.
"It's such an interesting mix of the applied and the
theoretical. A significant portion of the faculty have
spent most of their careers here."
"I am thrilled to be here," says Jeremy Siegel,
Russell E. Palmer Professor of Finance, BusinessWeek's
Best Business School Professor for 1994 and well-known
author of Stocks for the Long Run and Revolution
on Wall Street. "I've had offers to go to Wall Street, but I
could never give up teaching. I just can't imagine being
in a better place."
For Tom Donaldson, Mark O. Winkleman Professor
and Professor of Legal Studies, and one of the foremost
researchers on business ethics, being here has something
to do with Wharton's place in the world. "Wharton
has always set the pace for other business schools," he
explains. "It's the school that is always mentioned at
faculty meetings. When other schools are tinkering
with their curricula, they ask, 'What are they doing at
Wharton?' We set the standard. To me, it's the obvious
place to want to be."
Meeting of Minds
Intellectual Capital
Balancing the Seesaw
The Role of Wharton Today
A Strong Global Network
The Power of Giving
There is no faculty in the world like Wharton's.
As an alumnus or alumna, you have the power to
sustain this level of excellence. Alumni donations
to the Wharton campaign establish endowed chairs
like those held by the professors in this story. They
also support research and provide competitive
salaries. Your support means Wharton can continue
to attract and retain the world's top faculty, while
creating a balance of race, gender, research perspective
and geographical focus.
There are many compelling reasons for top faculty
to remain at Wharton. With greater alumni support,
they may never have a reason to leave. Invest in our
faculty. For more information, contact:
Steven Oliveira
Associate Dean
External Affairs
344 Vance Hall
3733 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
215.898.5047
oliveirs@wharton.upenn.edu,
or visit the website at
http://www.wharton.upenn.edu/development.
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