Spring 2006 Tuck Today article

The Spring 2006 "Tuck Today" article has been submitted to Tuck and also uploaded to the secure area of the site (click on "secure area" on the left and go to the files section).

Memories of Prof. Shank

Here are some other things you've written about Prof. Shank.

Jerry Newton:
"Hi, I'm John Shank and everything is all f'cked up"
"Any manager who thinks that his product is a commodity gets what he deserves"

Doug Macauley:
Easily my favorite professor at Tuck and perhaps in my entire academic career.

Was it you (Mark Permann) that he chewed out in class for not being able to do "Public Math"? That was a memorable moment for me! He then rambled on about the state of America's students at Arithmetic.... What a speech he gave.

My favorite phrase he would say was.... "It's your day! Come on down!"
Favorite because everytime I heard that it was someone else....
Until finally...

Mark Permann:
Yes, it was me he chewed out re: public math. I would say I remember that at least once a month at work, when I'm in a meeting and we're trying to sketch out rough numbers in our heads. I frequently say "I'm no good at public math." It's a nice crutch.

Alastair Bor:
I still use the 'cow' case to explain the complexity of strategic accounting... who should pay for feeding and slaughtering a cow? The butcher? Or the tanner?

Permann on Shank

Thoughts on the passing of John Shank by Mark Permann

Professor Shank had many sayings I enjoyed, the two most memorable of
which were "Marginal thinking leads to marginal results" and "When does
the long run start? The long run starts today." The latter was the basis
of the automobile license plate I had my second year, LR2DAY,which
now hangs framed above my desk.

John had the insight and courage to question unexamined and overextended
beliefs, and the burden of spreading his wisdom to those around him. His
tactics were not universally loved by his students or colleagues. These
things comprised his humanity for me, and I admire him greatly because I
saw no small amount of myself in it.

What I loved about John's teachings was that they were not merely
principles of business administration; rather, they were principles of
how to live. I can think of no higher honor to claim for a Tuck
professor.

I thank his colleagues, friends and family for supporting him,
for enabling him to be the man that he was.

Maktub.

Which means, "it is written", or, he fulfilled his destiny.