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VSB Students Meet Warren Buffett
“I did not leave Omaha with more money to my name, but the experience of speaking with and learning from Mr. Buffett made me a richer human being.
”
With more than 100 business
applied to be entered into the lottery
students awaiting his arrival, the “Oracle
system to attend one of these sessions.
of Omaha” walked into the boardroom
Forty-eight schools were ultimately
to an eruption of applause. Twenty
invited to Omaha, including VSB.
Villanova School of Business students,
participation in this opportunity was the
The Katherine M. and Richard J. Salisbury,
Equity Society, a student-run organiza-
Jr. Professor of Finance, and instructor
tion that manages a portfolio of equity
of finance James Jablonski, were among
securities that expose students to real-
those eager to share their day with the
world investment experience. The Equity
business legend.
Society, with guidance from Nawrocki,
A VSB group of 13 undergraduate members of the Villanova Equity Society
initiated the application process. The day’s events began with a tour
and seven undergraduate and graduate
of the Nebraska Furniture Mart, where
students from the student managed
students met Bob Batt, executive vice
funds (SMF) classes traveled to Nebraska
president of the store. Batt, whose
for the chance to meet Warren Buffet,
grandmother originally founded the
primary shareholder, chairman, and
furniture mart, led a tour of the store’s
CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. The
expansive furniture and electronics selec-
visit included a two-hour question-
tions and discussed its business model.
and-answer session, tours of Berkshire
Then it was on to meet Buffett at
Hathaway-owned businesses, and a sit-
Kiewit Plaza, home to the Berkshire
down lunch with Buffett.
Hathaway offices.
Buffett hosts several of these events
villanova business | summer 2011
The driving force behind VSB’s
accompanied by David Nawrocki, PhD,
Buffett impressed the students not
each year, giving students from different
only with his business acumen, but also
universities the opportunity to ask candid
with his sense of humor. He began by
questions and seek advice on an array of
making jokes about his own wealth
topics. This year, more than 200 schools
before encouraging the students to
