Your Stories
Bridging The Gap
Bauer Alumna Invests in Bauer MBA Communications Initiative
by Julie Bonnin
Thinking back to my time at Bauer, I got as much or more from my accounting and information systems courses as I did from my marketing classes. This is why I always encourage students to take courses outside of their core interest.
Why I Give Back
Bauer Alumni Share Personal Insight on Staying Connected to Houston's Business School
Intro by Jessica Navarro
One common thread binds all Bauer alumni together — the transformational experience provided by the college, giving them access to applicable curriculum alongside hands-on learning opportunities and connections to industry.
The Great Future
Charles T. "Ted" Bauer Legacy Lives Through the C. T. Bauer Foundation
Intro by Jessica Navarro & Amanda Sebesta
Charles T. “Ted” Bauer was a visionary in every sense of the word. His legacy is firmly placed in the college that bears his name, the C. T. Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston.
Diversifying the Boardroom
Bauer College Donor Reflects on Mentorship, Service
By Jessica Navarro & Amanda Sebesta
Link Staffing Services Co-founder and CEO Karen Pitts has built a staffing empire, while focusing on empowering women in business and leadership roles.
Gratitude in Action
A Tribute to Jim Stover, Bauer Alumnus & Philanthropist (1943-2018)
By Wendell Brock
Jim Stover (BBA ’72) didn’t start college until he was 24. But once he got to the University of Houston, he seemed to be on a path to make up for lost time.
Alumni Spotlight
Bauer College Alumnus Leads Tax Department for Lions Gate Entertainment
Intro & Interview by Julie Bonnin
Alongside his wife Jill, Bauer College alumnus Mike Hainkel supports UH students through merit scholarships and hosting alumni events in the Los Angeles area.
The King of Giving Back
For Ernst & Young Partner, Bauer College Remains Top Priority
Intro & Interview by Wendell Brock
As a National Merit Scholar, John King got a full ride at the University of Houston, and he now feels it his duty to give back.
Banking on Bauer
From the Nation's Capital, Bauer Alumnus Supports Fellowship Program
By Wendell Brock
In 1970, Sam Schreiber (BBA ’74) left his hometown of New York City to get a finance degree from the University of Houston. Now in his 44th year as a banker, Schreiber’s career has taken him from Texas to Georgia to New Jersey to the Washington, D.C., area. Along the way, the former Wells Fargo and Texas Commerce Bank executive lost touch with his alma mater.
In Good Hands
Bauer College Donors Share Motivation for Giving Back
Intro By Jessica Navarro & Photography by Nicki Evans
Giving isn’t just about writing a check.
It takes a community of believers to achieve the incredible. Donors allow Bauer College to recruit and retain talented students, expand and launch programs to prepare students for the job market, and engage alumni to provide opportunity and visibility for Bauer College worldwide.
Just the Beginning
Amegy Bank Founder and Bauer College Donor Reflects on Lifetime of Hard Work
By Amanda Sebesta & Jessica Navarro
Sit down with Walter Johnson for five minutes, and you’ll know one thing for certain — the man values hard work.
Chat with him a while longer, and you’ll know why. Born a “Depression Era Baby” in Fort Worth, Johnson has worked since age 6, helping his father with odd jobs. At 12, he began to mow yards for people in town who lived miles away (because the closest neighbors had sand instead of lush, green grass, he said).
Remembering a Legacy
Bauer College celebrates donor and philanthropist Melvyn Wolff
By Jessica Navarro
Noted business leader and philanthropist Melvyn Wolff passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 25 at the age of 86.
Wolff, along with his wife Cyvia, was one of most ardent supporters of student success at the Bauer College. Together, they made a naming gift in 2007 to the college’s entrepreneurship program, now known as the Cyvia and Melvyn Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship. He also served as a member of the Bauer College Board for nearly a decade.
Investing in Education
For Nearly Three Decades, Payne Teaching Excellence Awards Honor Bauer Faculty
Story by Julie Bonnin & Photography by Nicki Evans
Wayne Payne grew up in a little town in Missouri, became an Eagle Scout and was awarded a scholarship to attend a small college in his home state during the post-World War II era. He worked during school in the office of the dean of students, was president of his fraternity and the Independent Students Organization, and for the rest of his life, never really stopped being involved in whatever community he was living in.
Team Players
Bauer Alumnus and Wife Aim to Create Cycle of Giving
By Jessica Navarro & Amanda Sebesta
Roger Shao left Taiwan at age 10 to come to the United States with his parents and sister — the language was different, the trends were different and the customs were different.
But one thing was the same. The drive and determination to find personal success so that you could one day help others translated across all barriers.
The Giving Process
Bauer Senior Director of Advancement Shares Perspective
By Robert E. King
Introducing yourself to someone can be a tricky thing.
First Class
Inaugural Cohort Graduates from Ted Bauer Undergraduate Business Scholars Program
By Jessica Navarro & Amanda Sebesta
Any college graduate will tell you — the path from application and admission to graduation isn’t an easy one, and for a special group of students within the Bauer College of Business, it’s not a walk you take alone.
Essays on Leadership
Bauer College Students, Faculty, Staff and Alumni Reflect
Intro By Jessica Navarro, Photography By Nicki Evans
It’s right there in the Bauer College mission statement — capitalizing on the business and professional strengths of the Houston community, the mission of the C. T. Bauer College of Business is to conduct research that will shape and address new business realities and to prepare our students for responsible leadership worldwide.
Bauermerch.com Launches
New Online Store Benefits Bauer College Scholarships
By Amanda Sebesta and Jessica Navarro
The C. T. Bauer College of Business has launched a new online store that will allow supporters to show their pride and support student scholarships.
BauerMerch.com offers official and exclusive Bauer College merchandise — initial inventory includes apparel and electronics, along with items for travel and business. Proceeds from each order will benefit Bauer College scholarships.
Entrepreneurial Icon
Houston Legend Celebrates 90th Birthday, Shares Life Lessons
By Jessica Navarro and Amanda Sebesta
For many in the Houston business community, the name Bill Sherrill is synonymous with the city where the entrepreneurial icon was born, raised and made.
Born less than three miles from the University of Houston campus, Sherrill has spent his life creating memories in Houston — including launching the entrepreneurship program at what is now known as Bauer College later in life.
Planting the Seeds
Family Honors Late Son With Endowment For Bauer Students
By Amanda Sebesta
For Ken and Diane Kiecke, the decision to honor their late son’s memory through a scholarship endowment was simple — the only way to grow is to give.
Banking on Success
Whitney Bank VP Paves Way to Support Bauer Community Outreach
By Wendell Brock
As a young man growing up in a Mexican-American family in Bellaire, Alan Villanueva struggled in high school and had to attend summer and night sessions to catch up.
Defining Success
Scholarship Donor Reflects on Relationships, Faculty Influence
By Sarayu Sundar
In the three decades since Rahul Mehta graduated with a computer science degree from the University of Houston, he has started and sold many technology companies. He then launched the Mehta Family Foundation with worldwide charitable efforts, including funding scholarships for Bauer College students.
The Gift of Sales
Sales Institute Executive Director Focuses on Relationship Building
By Wendell Brock
West Virginia-born and Florida-raised, Randy Webb came to Houston in 1991 as president of Uncle Ben's Inc. By then, the Florida State University graduate had already made history at the Dial Corporation (where at 29 he became the youngest corporate officer on record) and served as vice president of sales for M&M/Mars.
Enjoy the Ride
Bauer College Board Chair Reflects on Journey from Student to Alumnus and Now, Supporter
By Jessica Navarro
Paul Peacock is on a mission.
The 1981 BBA alumnus and retired PwC partner leads the Bauer College Board, a group of more than 40 executives and entrepreneurs who advise Dean Latha Ramchand.
Bauer Energy Center Named for Energy Exec
Energy Executive and Alumnus Joe Gutierrez Makes Gift to Support Bauer’s Energy Management Institute
By Jessica Navarro
Energy executive Joe Gutierrez has made a gift to name the Global Energy Management Institute at the C. T. Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston.
Gessner Endowment Supports Sales Students
Gift Recognizes Top Sales Students
By Amanda Sebesta
Andy (BBA ’68) and Barbara Gessner have made a gift that will support two student initiatives in Bauer College’s Program for Excellence in Selling — The Andy and Barbara Gessner Sales Program Top Salesperson Awards and the Andy and Barbara Gessner Sales Competition Team Endowment.
UH Bauer College Announces Naming of Stagner Sales Excellence Institute
Mattress Firm CEO Stephen Stagner Supports Nation’s Leading Sales Program
By Amanda Sebesta
The college's sales program is now known as the Stephen Stagner Sales Excellence Institute.
Cantu Can Do
Valley Businessman and Philanthropist Has Led Growth in Developing Region
By Wendell Brock
When Alonzo Cantu (BBA ’78) enrolled at the University of Houston, he thought he wanted to be a pharmacist.
Loss and Triumph
From Aqua-Maid to Entrepreneur, Astronaut’s Widow Proves Herself a Shrewd Business Executive and Generous College Benefactor
By Wendell Brock
Many years ago, Beth Williams left her North Carolina home for a life of adventure. And boy, did she find it.
Smokin' Hot Volunteers
Successful Father-and-Son Alumni Give Back to UH Through Cougar Cookers
By Wendell Brock
The next time you take in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s opening weekend cook-off, get a whiff of sweet barbecue smoke in your nostrils, look up at the University of Houston flag soaring in the sky and tip your Stetson to the Cougar Cookers.
Calculating Kindness
J. David Ahola Scholarship Honors Memory of Accounting Lecturer
By Amanda Sebesta
J. David Ahola grew up accustomed to hard work. His family came to North America from Finland, settling in Northern Ontario where Ahola was born.
Family First
Daniels Family Creates Legacy through Scholarship Endowment
By Amanda Sebesta
If you ask Lawrence Donald Daniels — known as LD to his friends — you’re nothing without family.