In the history of Illinois football, only 26 players had ever been named an Academic All-American...until Hank Beatty made it 27. In this episode of The Gies Download, former Illinois wide receiver Hank Beatty talks about his success in the classroom and on the football field...and explains why he sees a lot of similarities between the two.

At Gies College of Business, students don’t just learn about business — they do business. From day one, they’re working with real companies, solving real problems, and gaining real experience. In the latest episode of the Gies Download, Assistant Dean Andrew Allen shares how experiential learning is embedded into every year of the student journey — transforming education into action and helping students build meaningful skills before they ever graduate.

In the latest episode of the Gies Download, Gies alumna and Culver's CEO Julie Fussner talks about her unexpected path from marketing to the C-suite. From discovering a passion for organizational behavior to navigating uncertainty after graduation, she shares how a strong foundation at Gies Business helped guide her journey.

After Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast 20 years ago this summer, many expected long-term economic and health struggles for survivors. But the data tells a surprising story. In this episode of The Gies Download, Gies Business Professor Tatyana Deryugina shares what her research reveals about disaster recovery, resilience, and the unexpected outcomes of forced relocation.

Branding a business school isn’t about marketing buzz—it’s about authenticity and purpose. Chief Marketing Officer Jan Slater joins The Gies Download to reveal how - and why - the Gies Business brand was built. From in-depth research to the bold launch of "Business on Purpose," hear how Gies Business became a brand that reflects pride, innovation, and purpose.

From humble beginnings at Illinois to high-stakes decision-making in Washington, Gies Business alumnus Sam Skinner shares candid stories about leadership, public service, mentorship, and the power of surrounding yourself with good people. With humor and wisdom, he reflects on pivotal career moments, including an unforgettable wake-up call from the President himself.

In the latest episode of the Gies Download, Gies Business alumnus Lester McKeever (ACCY '55), shares his remarkable journey from growing up in Chicago to becoming one of the first Black CPAs in the United States. He reflects on overcoming racial challenges in the accounting field, his lifelong dedication to his alma mater, and how mentorship, hard work, and resilience have shaped his success.

Oscar Ybarra is passionate about finding the answers to

In this episode of The Gies Download, Tim Sinclair talks with Tony Petullo...a 1961 graduate of Gies College of Business. After three years as a US Navy officer and five years with Mobil Corporation, Tony founded Olsten Staffing Services and found enormous success. Over the past four decades, Tony has given back to the University of Illinois in many impactful ways, including sizable donations, staff fellowships, and student scholarships. And, despite being in his 80's, Tony still mentors Gies Business students each and every semester.

How does health care impact business? Can companies effectively incentivize employees to live healthier lives in order to save money in the long run? How does where you live and work impact how healthy you are? In this episode of The Gies Download, Tim Sinclair sits down with Associate Professor of Finance, Director of Gies Health Initiatives, and Conrad W. and Shirley A. Hewitt Fellow and Deloitte Scholar David Molitor. David and his team are studying the effects of health on business and, so far, the results are extremely surprising.