Wehde Named 2018 Outstanding Graduate
Posted: June 8th, 2018
 Mark Byron Wehde has been named the recipient of the 2018 Outstanding Graduate award by the faculty of the University of Wisconsin MBA Consortium. Wehde, who graduated in Spring 2018, was selected from a pool of students who graduated between Summer 2017 and Spring 2018.
Wehde, a Midwest native, has been a manager at Mayo Clinic for the past 16 years, all in the Division of Engineering. He is part of a growing cohort of students in the UW MBA Consortium from the healthcare field.
Managing change was a major driver in Wehde's decision to pursue an MBA. "Management theory and principles change more slowly than technology," said Wehde. "But changes in management are being driven hard by the changes we are seeing in technology, in the demographic reality of the world, and in the fierce competition that is part of working in a globalized, high tech community." Given the UW MBA Consortium's flexible model, which provides students with the opportunity to select 13 elective credits from 37 different options, Wehde was able to take a variety of courses that allowed him to develop his leadership and management skills.
While Wehde credits the faculty as a main contributor to the positive experience he had with the program, they also shared appreciation for the efforts he put forth as a student. "Mark Wehde, hands down, is the most amazing student I have ever had!" said Dr. Jennifer Johs-Artisensi, Professor of Healthcare Management. "Always thorough, well-researched, knowledgeable, thoughtful, articulate. He asked engaging questions, and was well-received by other students. He's not just the 2018 outstanding student, but the most outstanding MBA student of all time." Dr. Macaulay Onuigbo, Physician at Mayo Clinic and Consortium Adjunct Lecturer, echoed her comments "Throughout the course, Mark exhibited excellent drive, dedication, initiative and originality and promptness of postings. He continually applied aspects of previous weeks' work in responding to questions and discussion points."
Like Onuigbo, who now teaches for the program and was the UW MBA Consortium's 2012 Outstanding Graduate, Wehde plans to continue his passion for lifelong learning by also returning to the program as an adjunct instructor. "I apply my new knowledge and skills every day, and every day I try to be a little bit better," reflected Wehde. "A Roman philosopher said, 'While we teach, we learn,' and my hope is now to go forward and find ways to share what I have learned for the benefit of others and of myself."
Wehde is the tenth individual to be named the UW MBA Consortium Outstanding Graduate. View Past Award Winners |
