TechNews I Tuesday, March 6, 2012

8 UTSAV GANDHI campus@technewsiit.com

Inspirational alumni reflect on successes after ”T

By Ryan Hynes
A&E EDITOR

Alumnus Iohn Calamos (ECON ’63, MBA
’70) recently hosted an alumni reception at the
headquarters of his firm, Calamos Investments.
The event gave alumni in the Chicago area a
chance to connect and share their HT alumni
experience.

The event was also a forum on financial
markets, with presentations by Calamos, a
pioneer in convertible securities and author of
two books on the subject, and Dr. John Bilson,
Professor of Finance at the Stuart School of
Business. Both men had great insights into our
current markets. “America’s greatest export is
the middle class,” remarked Calamos, “We could
recapture our once mighty manufacturing base
by being the best.”

Professor Bilson spoke on Chicago and
its irreplaceable role in our financial system.
He envisioned the Stuart School of Business
producing students who are well versed in the
“Chicago School” of finance.

The Stuart School of Business graduate
programs will be moving to the HT Tower
next year. This will bring approximately 1000
additional students to the area, and will have
a dramatic impact on Main Campus and
the surrounding Bridgeport and Bronzeville
neighborhoods. Professor Bilson referred to
the influx of students as a capital injection
for the community, and he is eager to see the
transformative impact on the community.

Even more transformative for HT is Mr.
Calamos’ gift of 10 million dollars, which will
endow a Dean’s Chair for the Stuart School, as
well as a Philosophy Chair. Calamos recalled
that, of all the classes he took at IIT, philosophy
was his favorite because it taught him how to
think rationally. He stressed the importance
of sound logic and reasoning, and said that
while a person may have tremendous technical
knowledge, without the ability to think, they
would never achieve their full potential. Mr.
Calamos is a true practitioner, and is able
to describe the complexities of financial
instrument and markets with remarkable

clarity. Mr. Calamos has "" "'

achieved fantastic success
in both his personal and
professional endeavors,
and his accomplishments
and stewardship as an
alumnus make him an
ideal role model for
current HT students.

Another admirable
alumnus, Bud Wendorf
(ME ’71), also shared his
thoughts on HT and the
opportunities it afforded
him. Wendorf remembers
growing up in the midst of
the Cold War, and being
inspired by the spirit of
industry and achievement
that galvanized the
American people during
that time.

That spirit inspired
Bud to become an
engineer, and attend HT.
Wendorf has many fond
memories of his years
at HT, and as a member
of the Pi Kappa Phi
fraternity. A year after
graduating, Wendorf
began working at Sargent Lundy, and put his HT
degree to good use. Wendorf is now Chariman
and CEO of Sargent Lundy, serves on the HT
Board of Trustees, and is a member of the
Armour Society, which recognizes alumni who
have given over 1 million dollars to UT. Wendorf
is another IIT success story, and continues to
give back to UT.

The evening was, in one word, inspirational.
Generations of HT Alumni gathered to learn
from one another and recall their time at UT.
The commitment of our alumni is what truly
makes HT such a fantastic institution, and the
stewardship and generosity of John Calamos,
Bud Wendorf, and other like-minded alumni
will ensure that HT continues to be a leader in
education, far into the future.

 

Photoes courtesy of Michael 6055 Photography

Union Board PhotoIIT Contest Winner:

Audrey Simper

 

 

I didn't have any in-
spiration for this photo re-
ally, I just happened to be
walking down that sidewalk
hoping to take photos of the
sunset and when walking
past crown hall I saw the re-
flection of the colorful sky
in the glass which showed
up even more prominent
on camera. But personally,
this photograph means a lot
more than that after switch-
ing my major from Archi-
tecture to Photography. The
colors that are being reflect-
ed in the full pane windows
give meaning to the build-
ing, the students inside, and
even myself.

-Audrey Simper