Professor's $1 Million Gift Keeps Students Current
For five years, part-time management instructor Jeffrey Moskow has been teaching Current Business Topics — one of the most popular classes among business students.
His textbook — the Wall Street Journal. His syllabus — a reflection of the ups and downs of today's world.
For Moskow, discussing the stock market and the current economy is more than a classroom task; it's an opportunity to engage students in today's business world.
After he was diagnosed with kidney cancer, Moskow decided to create a forum outside of the classroom for students to keep learning about the world around them. "My students are what keep me going, keep me positive," Moskow said. "I wanted to generate a legacy of learning for them."
Honoring His Parents
Moskow donated $1 million to the College of Business to launch the Moskow Distinguished Speaker Series, featuring leading business professionals. He wanted the series to be named for his parents, Morris and Sylvia, who he says taught him the importance of being intellectually curious and enjoying lively debates. "This series is a permanent honor to those who impacted me the most," Moskow said.
He recalled that as a student he always enjoyed attending speaker presentations, and felt that today’s students need to know how current events impact the business world. "During my days at the Wharton School in Pennsylvania and University of California, Irvine, notable guests lectured frequently and students were always excited to see prominent names on campus," he said. "I wanted to create that same tradition at UNLV."
Lifelong Learning
Paul Jarley, dean of the College of Business, said, "Jeff Moskow’s impact as a teacher and as an advocate of lifelong learning has a much greater impact than any dollar amount could have. We’re moved by Jeff’s courage and are thankful for his donation."
The inaugural event of the Moskow Distinguished Speaker Series brought New York Times op-ed columnist Maureen Dowd and television critic Alessandra Stanley to UNLV in October. The goal is to host three to four presentations a year.
Even while undergoing medical treatment this fall, Moskow continues to do what he loves most: teach. His main goal is to encourage his students to be informed as well as passionate about the world around them. That, he said, is what the Moskow Distinguished Speaker Series is all about.
Related Information
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