[MUSIC]
This year's recipient of the Distinguished Teaching Award.
Last quarter I had the privilege of starting my weeks in
the best way possible.
Finance at 8:30 in the morning, but I was very happy about it.
Because I had an amazing professor who is incredibly knowledgeable, can answer
any question, brings a great sense of humor, connects with all students, and
who kept us engaged in every one of his classes, even at 8:30 AM on Mondays.
His passion and excitement for finance inspired us, he utilized a varied
technique, a varied array of teaching techniques that made his classes engaging,
and was easily able to scaffold learning for people of many levels.
He allocated times for us to work on problems in class and was able to
easily turn a student's question into a new way to introduce the material.
He exemplifies the GSP culture of inclusivity and intellect.
He fostered a positive learning environment and
made us feel as though he really cared about whether we learned the information.
>> So unlike Diana, I sadly did not have the opportunity of taking Tim's class,
but after reading through 50 plus glowing reviews of why he deserves this reward
this award, it was very clear that he has had a lasting impact on his students.
So let me just take a few minutes here to share with you a few quotes that explain
why Tim is such a special professor and special member of this community.
Student number one, Tim is 100% committed to and
patient with students with a very little finance experience.
I came in not know what free cash flow was, and I left enjoying finance.
He is a great combination of passionate, funny, and serious.
Students number two, he's incredibly knowledgeable in this field and
could answer any question with ease, no matter how theoretical or niche.
He brought a clear passion for finance which was evident and
helped keep the class engaged.
I couldn't believe I found myself looking forward to this class, but I did.
He is an extremely valuable asset to the GSB teaching community and
I have immense respect for his intelligence and
undeniable commitment to ensuring his students have a great experience.
Student number three, he is a phenomenal teacher,
he is clear, concise, thoughtful, and owns the classroom with charisma.
I have no financial background at all, and he made finance accessible to me.
He uses an array of teaching techniques to involve and
engage students that caters to many different learning styles.
Student number four, I got to know Tim well on the UAEGST, and he was incredible.
I always willing to listen and engage.
He contributed a ton to debriefs, he was able to connect with the most quiet and
outgoing people like, and share or
challenge thoughtful commentary on the theme.
And my God, can he party.
>> [LAUGH] >> Student number five,
Tim is a GSB gem who deserves this award for affording so
many students the opportunity to grow, learn, and
blossom into business leaders who truly understand finance and fellowship.
>> On behalf of the GSB student body please join us in congratulating the 2019
recipient of the Distinguished Teaching Award,
Professor Timothy McQuaid aka Cap MTM.
>> [APPLAUSE]
>> [COUGH] To the Student Association of Academic Committee,
distinguished Teaching Award Selection Committee, and assembled students,
faculty, and staff, thank you very much for this incredible award.
Thinking back 10 years ago, I was very uncertain about what I wanted to do with
my life, and what career path I should take.
My younger brother Patrick, now a PhD student here at Stanford,
will likely recall the struggles that I had at that point in time in my life.
I was not sure whether graduate school and ultimately an academic career
was the best path which I could contribute and make a mark.
Thus, to be able to stand today and receive this award,
to see that I have been able to positively make an impact on others live,
if even in just a small way is incredibly meaningful to me.
I am of course, deeply humbled by this recognition.
Looking at the previous winners of the MBA Teaching Award, you will find
an illustrious list of amazing teachers who have made significant and
long lasting impacts on this institution, far more than I have.
Moreover, I know first hand, the quality and
dedication of the many teachers at this school, some of whom have
been recognized today, and all of whom endeavor to enrich our students' lives.
Teaching is a team activity and
there are many people who have made this recognition possible.
I must first thank my family who's love and support has never wavered, and
without whom the ups and downs of this career path and
life in general would have been much more difficult to navigate.
Also, as one might expect, the logistical demands of dealing with
three sections of close to 200 students are steep.
Yet the amazing staff here at the GSP have made this process easy and painless.
In particular, I would like to recognize my tremendous assistant, Jennifer Smith.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> To my colleagues, both at the GSP and
in the finance department especially, you make it a joy to come to work every day.
While some people might come to California for
the weather, I chose Stanford for the spirit of collegiality and
collaboration that I thought it fostered, and I have never once been disappointed.
I'm continually impressed and inspired by your energy,
your intellectual curiosity, your support of PhD students and
junior faculty, and just how freaking smart you all are.
I would also like to recognize in particular my colleagues Peter de Marzo
and Paul Flight, who originally developed much of the material for
the core finance classes.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> And
lastly, I must, of course, thank you, the students.
For the past four years, I've had the privilege of teaching the base intro
finance class, and I absolutely love it.
To have the opportunity to introduce finance, a subject I care deeply about,
to those of you who have had little exposure to it, is a great privilege.
I have had the opportunity to tell you about bond yields,
IRR, CAPM and Modigliani Miller.
All subjects which I am sure you are still intimately familiar with and
care about as much as I do.
But more importantly, it has given me the opportunity to
convey to you the importance of finance and the financial system.
As an engine of innovation, and the means by which resources are delivered to
individuals with ambition and new ideas, so as to make those ideas a reality.
And furthermore, to discuss with you when and
how that system can fail, and how you might address those failures.
My class is not easy, it is fast paced and covers a wide range of material.
Yet every day you brought passion, energy, and a willingness to learn.
You further enrich the classroom by connecting otherwise dry material to your
own experiences, and demonstrating through real-world application,
the importance of the topics being discussed.
I firmly believe that behind every great teacher are great students, and
I very much thank you for that.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> In fact,
some of my most rewarding experience with you have been outside the classroom.
Whether it was simply grabbing a coffee together here at the GSB,
in the UAE, at a bar or riding a camel.
>> [LAUGH] >> It's been truly inspiring to hear about
your plans for the future.
There is a rich entrepreneurial spirit to this student body
which is invigorating to be around.
You have a real desire to identify meaningful real world problems,
under served communities, and
to then seek out and aggressively pursue creative solutions to those problems.
I can also say without hesitation that I myself have benefited from these
interactions, causing me to think about important real world issues in new and
interesting ways.
I strongly encourage you to continue to nurture these instincts, and
I have no doubt that if you do, you yourselves will indeed go on to change
lives, change organizations, and change the world.
Since I have a captive audience,
I will conclude with three brief pieces of advice.
First, more than anything else, invest heavily in your relationships with others.
There is no other investment which offers a greater return, and
it pays off in wonderful and unexpected ways.
Those relationships will be a provider of opportunities, productivity enhancers,
and most importantly,
the source of happiness in your life which in the end is what it is all about.
This has most certainly been true in my own life.
I'm undoubtedly more successful and a better researcher today than I otherwise
would be because of the relationships and indeed deep friendships I have formed with
amazing colleagues such as our own Rebecca Diamond and Shy/p Burnstine.
Second we are all of us blessed to have had the opportunity to be a part of
this wonderful community whether it be for 2 years or 50.
You have been provided with a tremendous toolkit and
a tremendous set of resources, go out there and use them.
Whether it be through your job, through entrepreneurship and innovation, or
simply through service.
You have the tools to make the world a better place.
To bring value and opportunities to those who otherwise would not have them.
I promise if you do this, you will not only greatly
enrich the lives of those you trust, but indeed yours as well.
And finally, and most importantly,
my third piece of advice which you need to remember is that cash is king baby.
>> [APPLAUSE] >> Thank you very much and
I wish you all the best in your future endeavors, thank you.
[MUSIC]