The Wehle Wire February 2025

The people, happenings and achievements of The Wehle Business School, Canisius University, Buffalo, New York.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR CAREER BREAKFAST CLUBS AND AFTER-SCHOOL MEETUPS. Breakfast 7:30 am, March 6th, Odoo. After-School Meet-Up, 4:30 pm, March13th, Buffalo Bills + Sandhill Investments. Reserve your spot by emailing Kim Walkow at [email protected].

MAKING CONNECTIONS

David Wagner, Executive Vice President, Roosevelt & Cross

David Wagner is a committed Wehle alumnus with two decades of volunteering at the school. Although he graduated in finance, he started out in accounting. “That accounting foundation has proven invaluable to me in my career.”

As an Executive Vice President at Roosevelt & Cross and member of the Board of Directors, David oversees the business that serves the municipal securities’ needs of both retail and institutional investors.

“Larry Seymour was the head of RC at the time I interviewed,” explains David. “He was also a Canisius grad. George Palumbo made the introduction. Within an hour of meeting George, I was sitting in front of Larry. The Wehle network is a really strong one. Students need to take advantage of that as much as possible.”

In July, David will be celebrating his 25^th year with the company.

For most of those 25 years, David has volunteered for The Wehle School. From employer panels to finance class presentations, he’s done it all.

One of his most notable contributions was his work for two and a half years as Chairperson of the Dean’s Business Advisory Committee (BAC) during COVID. “Even though it was a difficult time,” he says, “I still found it very rewarding.”

David is quick to point out the importance of giving back. “When I graduated, like most students, I had loans. I decided right away what I could give the most of was my time. Helping others get to where they want to be is extremely fulfilling.”

Buffalo has always been home to David. He and his wife Lynne, have twin daughters.

“For them and for so many other young people starting out, I would love to see the Wehle Business School have dedicated space. The camaraderie, being together in one location can’t be underestimated. I would take great pride in seeing that name on a building.”

As for the future, David’s positive outlook and support continues unabated. “My number one take-away on the BAC is that we have to promote all of our accomplishments more. From the GGF to our accounting and new business analytics programs and the LPD we have much to brag about.”

WEHLE TEAM WINS REGIONAL CFA RESEARCH CHALLENGE FOR THE 15TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR!

For the 15th consecutive year, Canisius has won the local CFA Research Challenge by defeating teams from University at Buffalo, Syracuse, University at Rochester (2), RIT, Oswego, St. John Fisher and Alfred. Congratulations to the student team of Daniel Zaccarine, Aidan Hart, Kaitlyn Petrunyak and Reilly Boyer. Special congratulations to Steve Gattuso and our Wehle faculty. Our team now advances to the Sub Regionals!

Masters students and graduates “on the move”

ZOE KAMINSKI

Zoe graduated with her MBA (marketing) in May 2024. Since graduating, Zoe has been promoted from Technical Trainer to Business Operations Administrator for Chartwell Law.

“What’s been so great about my Wehle experience is that I was able to immediately apply what I learned to both roles. It’s all been so very helpful.”

“When I started grad studies, I didn’t realize it at the time but I needed an experience that focused on both my personal and professional growth. The Leadership & Professional Development Program (LPDP) came at the right time and gave me such relevant information. It was the best part of my MBA.”

When Zoe isn’t at Chartwell she provides digital marketing and social media services to small businesses across the country. “I love that I can help them develop and execute their growth strategies. Face it, if I had to do my own finances and accounting, I’d be in jail!”

As for the future, she adds, “My parents are entrepreneurs and I see myself buying a business. The MBA, leadership program and Western New York Prosperity Fellowship gave me such a great start. I’m ambitious and a little zany. I think I could really make it work. I’ll just hire the accountant.”

https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-kaminski/

AUBREY STEVENSON

Aubrey is a testament as to how a Wehle MBA and Canisius undergrad can give your career a strong start.

“My undergrad is in history and classics. So much of what I learned really does apply to banking. Critical thinking and strong communications. As a Digital Banking Product Owner, I use these skills in everything I do at M&T.”

Like many young professionals, Aubrey had a gap between her undergrad and MBA. “I was starting to pivot into a new area at work, which coincided perfectly with going back to school. I was lucky too. I had good leaders who believed in me.”

Aubrey credits two MBA experiences that made a lasting impression.

“The WorkPlace Big 5 Assessment in the graduate Leadership Program gave me a deeper understanding of myself and how to articulate my value. Courses too about business strategy, terms and context. I could really relate to the behavioral classes because I was living those at work every day.”

“Don’t set limits on yourself. You can learn anything if you apply yourself. A Wehle masters is a lot of work but it’s absolutely worth it.”

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aubrey-stevenson/

JOHN HATTON

A twelve-year US Army veteran, John is completing his MBA with a concentration in investment research.

“The GGF was really appealing to me and I love the faculty. Not only their expertise but their availability and willingness to share that expertise. It makes such a difference for students.”

Having completed a tour in Afghanistan and overseen large-scale operational projects, John welcomes the personal attention that a Wehle MBA gives him.

“The smaller class sizes have been terrific but what I’ve liked most is that faculty want to educate you. They aren’t concerned about status and things like that. They really want you to succeed. You definitely feel the investment they’re making in you. You don’t get that everywhere.”

Self-described as “driven”, John is actively interviewing with wealth management firms and is looking forward to graduating in May.

“By then my son will be a year old. I know wherever I go, my Wehle education will definitely be a stand-out for me.”

https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-hatton-13750943/

Faculty Feature

Dr. Craig Rogers, Professor of Economics

Since 2007, the Wehle Business School has counted Dr. Craig Rogers among its tenured economics-finance faculty and proud of it.

Like all good educators, Craig was influenced by one particular professor, Dr. Rawle Farley. “ He made an enormous difference in my academic journey and teaching philosophy,” says Craig.

“I needed Dr. Farley’s signature to complete a course and 30 minutes later he had changed my perspective of my academic journey. He pointed out that despite my failing an exam, I had answered the most challenging question right.”

“He told me straight out, “Mr. Rogers you have potential but you’re academically lazy. No one had ever told me that before. But I needed to hear it. I didn’t know that I had a real grasp of macros economics. He was the one who encouraged me to enroll in a PhD program.”

Craig shares this story with all his students after their first exam.

“You know, Dr. Farley never used the word “fail”. That has never left me. The importance of allowing people to maintain their humanity. We never want to take away someone’s hope. I try to use my experiences in the classroom to provide an environment that students can see themselves in.”

Craig initially began his academic career in entrepreneurship but for the last several years has taught economics and finance to both Wehle undergraduate and graduate students.

“It doesn’t matter the discipline,” he explains. “Mastery of a subject is a non-linear process. Understanding this helped me accept and find my joy in the struggle. Learning and doing a PhD was hard…lots of trials and tribulations. But there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Once you capture that light, it’s yours.”

Craig reminds students that it’s okay not to know everything. “This doesn’t distract from who you are. Failure is part of the learning process.”

“I want students to leave my classes, saying “I CAN do this.” I may not know all the steps but I know I CAN. You have developed solid critical thinking and an analytical framework that hopefully will guide you in your profession and your life.”

Craig is quick to admit that economics spoke to him early on in his journey.

“I saw it in my mom. She practiced economic theory every day. Trying to maximize the utility, the happiness of her family, given her limited resources.”

“Now that’s economics.”

[email protected]

Undergraduate Pursuits

BRYCE MCCARTHY

Accounting & Accounting System Analytics major, Canisius Accounting Society Treasurer, Tax Intern, Waterford Advisors

My goal is to become a CPA and work in public accounting.

[email protected]

REILLY BOYER

Finance major, GGF and captain of the CFA Global Research Challenge team. Service & Financial Analyst Intern, SJP Federal Credit Union.

My goal is to work in investment banking or private equity.

[email protected]

MEKHI EDWARDS

Marketing major, Brand Development Intern, Advantage Solutions/Daymon. Marketing Manager, Buffalo Fashion Week.

My goal is to combine my marketing skills and six years of photography to work for a major brand.

[email protected]

Career readiness that makes a difference.

Nerissa Williams, Audit & Assurance Assistant, Deloitte

“I’m very curious and always thought I would make a good detective,” says Nerissa Williams, a 2024 graduate of the MBAPA program. Her curiosity will no doubt be a real advantage as she began her accounting career this past fall with Deloitte as an Audit and Assurance Assistant.

Originally from Thibaud, Dominica, Nerissa says her experience with the Wehle Business School has been “nothing short of amazing.”

“My undergrad was not in accounting and they made the experience so much smoother for me. From the moment I started in person, the professors were very understanding and willing to assist.”

As for the Leadership and Professional Development Program, Nerissa adds, “I never realized how important customizing your resume and cover letter was. This used to make me anxious. I think it’s the biggest help I got. I can’t attribute it to any one thing but I can tell you there was a definite increase from employers when I applied.”

The Wehle Business School is grateful to employer partners like Deloitte who have been an active member of The School’s Council on Accountancy and a long-term advisor and supporter of the accounting program.

https://youtu.be/qf-gS5nWL5E

Connect on LinkedIn

The Wehle Business School is AACSB accredited, a gold standard achieved by fewer than 5% of business schools worldwide.

Dr. Shawn O’Rourke, Dean

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Questions or Comments?

Contact Jennifer Patrick (MBA 2000), Wehle Director of Executive Education & Leadership and the LPDP ([email protected], 716-888-8494).