Horizons Fall 2014

33 HORIZONS As a senior officer, Yanchura bears overall responsi- bility for MacArthur’s financial operations, including accounting, budget, and taxes, as well as for the founda- tion’s financial systems and banking relationships. This multifaceted executive also has responsibility for human resources, information technology, and administrative services. In addition, he is in charge of the management and operation of the group’s head- quarters building in Chicago. As a corporate officer of the foundation, he participates with the president and other senior officers in setting the strategic direction for the foundation and providing advice on policy and operational issues. But, Yanchura happily points out, “I really don’t have anything to do with giving away the foundation’s money. I’m a member of the senior team that helps make those decisions, but nobody makes individual choices about who to give the money to.” Yanchura received his Bachelor of Arts in Educa- tion in 1979 from Kutztown University in Pennsylva- nia, located about 60 miles from his hometown of Lansford, Pennsylvania. Although he comes from a family of educators, Yan- chura knew he might not pursue a life in academia. “I maintained good grades and learned an important life lesson: if you’re going to do something, you should do it well, and that’s been my basic credo ever since,” he said. “I feel that’s been a big factor in being respected here at the foundation.” Throughout his career, Yanchura always remembers the sage advice of an early career mentor, his dad: “Whatever you do, do it well and work hard at it. Don’t merely copy all that you’ve seen and done. Set your own path and continually build on the strengths you see before you.” It’s obvious Yanchura has etched out a rewarding and fulfilling career path, overseeing a global founda- tion that quietly, yet inexorably, continues to have positive and lasting effects upon society. n A portion of this story appeared in Kutztown University’s magazine, The Kutztown Tower. around NSU Business School Professor Names Classroom in Parents’ Memory Albert Williams, Ph.D., associate professor of finance and economics at the H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship, has made a gift to name a classroom in memory of his parents, Alexander Albert Williams, Sr., and Ellane Williams Nee Woodye. Classroom 3030 on the third floor of the Business School’s Carl DeSantis Building is named the “Albert A. Williams Classroom.’’ With little formal education, the Williams family made sacrifices to ensure that their 10 children each received a high school educa- tion. Their strong commitment to education has carried on to the grandchildren—many of whom have obtained doctoral, master’s, and bachelor’s degrees. Williams completed a bachelor’s degree in education, majoring in mathematics, at the University of Calgary, Canada. He pursued a master’s degree in applied economics at the University of Georgia and also completed a doctoral degree in agricultural and applied economics at the same university. His varied experience includes, but is not limited to, teaching mathematics, working as an agricultural economist with the government, and serving as chief executive officer of a quasi-governmental agricultural marketing firm in Belize. Williams joined the Huizenga Business School in 2003 as an adjunct professor, teaching both undergraduate and graduate economics and finance courses. He was promoted to associate professor in 2013. n Albert Williams explains business theories to his students.