The Economics Department in OU’s School of Business Administration recently welcomed Paul Swanson SBA Economics ‘73, vice president, Trinity Health, and Dennis Janowski SBA Economics ’72, senior vice president, deputy manager, foreign exchange and derivatives groups, and manager of North American foreign exchange risk, to its Advisory Board.
Established to provide service to the SBA Economics Department, the board provides advice relating to curriculum, the business environment and university issues; assists students in a variety of ways including arranging speakers and creating student awards; and participating in activities in the department as well as the university overall.
“The members provide invaluable feedback and insight that help us mold the future of our program,” says Anandi Sahu, chair, economics. “Collectively, they have raised significant sums of money – paying out of their own pockets – to support awards to students and to institute a fall lecture series.”
Swanson, who received his BA in Economics from OU, brings more than 30 years of health care human resource experience to the board. He earned his Master’s of Labor Relations from Michigan State University in 1975. He joined Trinity Health, the fourth largest Catholic health care system with 44 hospitals and 33 long-term care facilities and more than 50,000 associates across seven states, in 1979. Most recently his focus has been on benefits and retirement programs.
Janowski offers extensive knowledge from the banking industry to the board. Shortly after graduating from OU, he joined Detroit Bank and Trust Co. – which later become Comerica. His prior positions included Manager of the Comerica Foreign Exchange Affiliate Marketing and Business Development unit, Manager, Government and Municipal Bond Trading Units. He earned his MA in Management/Finance from Central Michigan University in 1980.
Janowski recognized the value of OU’s high standards while he was an undergraduate student. Nearly 40 years later he acknowledges the university’s same commitment to quality. That means a lot, considering his multiple vantage points – as a potential employer, OU guest lecturer, advisory board member and parent of a recent OU graduate.
“The university clearly maintains a demand for excellence from both faculty and students,” says Janowski. “The result is an effective approach to educating and turning out graduates who are employable.”
Specifically, Janowski says OU does a great job providing practical, technical skills for a graduate to move quickly into a career. He is equally impressed by the university’s emphasis on what he calls arts and letters.
“Cultural awareness, as well as communication, presentation and writing skills are critical for a successful career, regardless of your field of study.”
Janowski and Swanson joins the existing Economic Advisory Board members: Ed Eickhoff, vice president, development/redevelopment, Ramco-Gershenson; Alfredo Casab, attorney, Dawda, Mann, Mulcahy and Sadler, PLC; Allen Goodman, professor, economics, Wayne State University; Julie Granthen, professor, Oakland Community College; Karl Gregory, distinguished professor emeritus, Oakland University; Daniel Hunter, manager, Oakland County Planning and Economic Development; Van Jolissaint, retired corporate economist, DaimlerChrysler; Sam Kahan, chief research economist, FRB Detroit; Michael Lohmeier, senior manager, Virchow Krause and Company; George Seifer, retired CEO, Ameritech Publishing Enterprises; and Horst Sherriff, vice president, corporate banking, National City Bank.
The Economics Department in OU’s School of Business Administration recently welcomed Paul Swanson SBA Economics ‘73, vice president, Trinity Health, and Dennis Janowski SBA Economics ’72, senior vice president, deputy manager, foreign exchange and derivatives groups, and manager of North American foreign exchange risk, to its Advisory Board.
Established to provide service to the SBA Economics Department, the board provides advice relating to curriculum, the business environment and university issues; assists students in a variety of ways including arranging speakers and creating student awards; and participating in activities in the department as well as the university overall.