2017 Top 40 Undergraduate Professors Ron Gebhardtsbauer, Penn State (Smeal)

2017 Top 40 Undergraduate Professors: Ron Gebhardtsbauer, Penn State (Smeal) by: Andrea Carter on September 18, 2017 | 0 Comments Comments 788 Views September 18, 2017Ron GebhardtsbauerClinical Associate Professor,  Actuarial SciencePenn State University, Smeal College of BusinessRon Gebhardtsbauer joined Penn State’s Smeal College of Business after leaving his post as the senior benefits advisor to the chairman of the United States Senate Committee on Finance. Prior, this actuary expert who focuses on pension and retirement benefits, was the Senior Pension Fellow and Spokesperson for the American Academy of Actuaries, a role in which he frequently testified before Congress and moderated the White House Conference on Social Security. In his pre business school days, he also advised international governments on topics from pensions to social security as the lead U.S. delegate to the International Association of Actuaries. Professor Gebhardtsbauer’s real-world expe rience in the realm of actuarial science has made all the difference for him as a standout business school professor. His knowledge and experience in the field has helped raise the caliber of undergraduate education in actuarial science in Smeal’s Department of Risk Management. The school also credits Gebhardtsbauer’s leadership for helping Smeal to tripleover the last five yearsthe number of students who passed five of the necessary exams toward actuarial science accreditation.Age: 65At current institution since:  2008Education:  Fellow in the Society of Actuaries with a Master of Science in Actuarial Science from Northeastern University, 1976List of courses you currently teach: Probability Theory, Financial Mathematics, Financial Economics (Option Pricing, Derivatives Markets), Actuarial MathematicsFun fact about yourself: When a class has been timid at participating in a discussion or answering my questions, I’ve been known to stand on a student’s desk (like in the movie â€Å"Dead Poets Society†) and encourage them to be more confident, as they will be masters of the universe someday (in the insurance benefits world).â€Å"I knew I wanted to be a business school professor when†¦ The head of the Actuarial Program retired and I wanted his job and didn’t want to work in the U.S. Congress any longer.â€Å"If I weren’t a business school professor†¦Ã‚  I don’t know what I’d do. I guess I’d retire.â€Å"One word that describes my first time teaching Fun (so much fun, they needn’t pay me).What do you enjoy most about teaching undergraduate business students? Unlike older adults, college students are still impressionable, so they listen and believe everything I say (well almost everything).What is the biggest challenge that comes with teaching undergraduate business students? They believe everything I say (even when I make mistakes).   I want to teach students to think before they believe.What is the most impressive thing one of your undergraduate students has done? Passed 5 actuarial exams before graduation (on top of a double major)What is the least favorite thing one has done?  I had a student overtaken by heroin (but the good news is that a few years later he overcame it returned to finish his actuarial degree).What does a student need to do to get an A in your class? Understand the material covered (better than 2/3rds of the class), do Homework, and Participate in class discussions.â€Å"When it comes to grading, I think students would describe me as †¦ Tough, but fairâ€Å"But I would describe myself as †¦ Tough, but fairWhat are your hobbies? Skiing, biking, hiking, swimming, body surfing, rollerblading, physical challenges (such as Ninja courses), singing, acting, theological discussions, etc.How did you spend your summer?   See aboveFavorite place to vacation: Beach, Mountains, Ski Resorts, ItalyFavorite book: Rabbi Jesus by Bruce Chilton and â€Å"The Kingdom of God is Within You† by TolstoyFavorite movie and/or television show: â€Å"Brother Son, Sister Moon† by Franco Zeffirelli and the many Star Trek seriesFavorite type of music and/or favorite artist: Broadway MusicalsBucket list item #1:   Go to explore ancient ruins in Greece and Palestine/IsraelWhat professional achievement are you most proud of? Being Spokesperson for the actuarial profession in the U.S., and 75 of my students have become FSAs (Fellows in the Society of Actuaries)What is your most memorable moment as a professor? Students clapping for me at the end of the semester and my Teacher of the Year awardProfessor you most admire and why: Keith Crocker – he has many more Teacher of the Year Awards, and he’s heavily published and respected in his fieldWhat are you currently researching and what is the most significant discovery youve made from it? N/ATwitter handle: N/Aâ€Å"If I had my way, the busines s school of the future would have.. Much more flexibility in changing degree requirementsâ€Å"And much less of this† BureaucracyLooking ahead 10 years from now, describe what â€Å"success† would like for you.   Happy in retirement, but still alert enough to teach a course each year Page 1 of 11