Events & speakers

Spring 2024 Events

Student Fellow and Faculty Presentations

The Menard Family Initiative hosted our last event of the semester, Student Fellow and Faculty Presentations. MFI Researcher, Nicholas McFaden and Faculty Fellow Dr. Israt Jahan joined our Student Fellows to showcase their research. We heard presentations on the following topics:

• Social Capital
• Freedom and Entrepreneurship
• Driving the Adoption of Precision Agriculture in the Heartland
• Venture Capital in the Midwest
• Institutions and Entrepreneurship

In addition, we recognized discussion group participants for their dedication this semester. Their weekly participation and active discussion are greatly appreciated.

UNDIVIDE US Film Screening

The MFI was approached by Ben Klutsey, Director of the Mercatus Center, to host a private screening of UNDIVIDE US.  The film addresses affective polarization and showcases what is possible when average Americans are invited to speak to others across deep divides. A brief description of the movie: America is at a crossroads where politicians, traditional media, and social media fan the flames of toxic partisanship, undermining the values and institutions that unite us. UNDIVIDE US is a timely and urgent plea to reclaim the nation’s soul through open discourse, civic engagement, and self-governance.

The event drew in 46 community members, faculty, and students. Following the screening, students delved into a discussion encompassing a range of topics explored in the film, joined by producer Carrie Conko. They deemed the movie insightful, with many expressing optimism that such films could foster environments conducive to addressing politics and differences more effectively.

Dr. Diana M. Hechavarria

Dr. Diana Hechavarria visited UWL on April 11, 2024 to deliver an engaging presentation on Minority Entrepreneurship with a particular focus on women and race. She discussed how these various backgrounds play a large role in entrepreneurship through cultural norms and experiences.

Historically, minority entrepreneurs have faced great challenges, but their participation continues to grow. Dr. Hechavarria stressed that we must focus on minority entrepreneurship for global and national economic growth, job creation, and social mobility. Minority entrepreneurs often sell co-ethnic products that would not typically be offered to mainstream clients, offering an opportunity to expand their culture and create conversation with individuals from varying backgrounds.

Following her lecture, discussion group students and student fellows led individual roundtable discussions related to the lecture with their peers in attendance.

Dr. Steve Gohmann and Dr. Lewis Davis

The Menard Family Initiative hosted Dr. Steve Gohmann from University of Louisville and Dr. Lewis Davis from Union College for a series of insightful events.

On Thursday, Dr. Davis kicked things off with a lecture on the interactions of Law and Culture, followed by a roundtable discussion with students discussing how to navigate these interactions. The roundtable discussions were led by MFI Student Fellows and Discussion Group participants.

On Friday, Dr. Gohmann presented on alcohol legislation and the history of the industry. This was then followed by a panel discussion featuring local brewers, distributors, restaurant owners, and more, exploring the landscape of alcohol regulations in business. 

Panelists Included:

• Dr. Steve Gohmann, University of Louisville 
• Derek Stelloh, Lovechild Restaurant 
• Stephanie Loizzi, Noelke Distributors, Inc.  
• Brent Martinson, Turtle Stack Brewery 
• John Wadzinski, Stack’s Family Farms 

How the World Became Rich with Dr. Mark Koyama

Friday, February 9th, marked the kick-off event of the semester for the Menard Family Initiative! We were thrilled to welcome Mark Koyama, one of the brilliant minds behind "How the World Became Rich," a book that sparked engaging discussions during our colloquium last November.

Dr. Koyama began the day with a presentation on the book's structure and highlighting its key insights. Following his talk, students dove into a thought-provoking discussion centered around the question, "Why isn't the whole world rich?"

Student Testimonials

"I thought the colloquium was well organized and efficiently handled. What I really enjoyed was having the students sit across from each other so that the discussion was centered around the students' thoughts."

"I thoroughly enjoyed reading a book, despite there were instances which was a bit complex for me to understand. But as someone who didn't know a lot of details about the history behind economic development, reading the book helped me to understand a lot of layers. Before, I didn't know there were so many factors behind economic development. It's good to know that there are multiple aspects that made the world that is today, and those factors constantly kept evolving. For me, I was happy to add at least a few general knowledge about the economics."

Fall 2023 Events

The Menard Family Initiative hosted our last event of the semester, Student Fellow and Faculty Presentations. MFI Researcher, Nicholas McFaden and Faculty Fellow Anup Nandialath joined our Student Fellows to showcase their research. We heard presentations on the following topics:

• Conservation Funding & Tax Implications of AI and Automation
• UW System Universities and their Impact
• Housing, Homelessness, and Economic Freedom: Options for Affordable Housing
• Economic Freedom
• Moral Imperative or Market Forces: Legislation and Corporate Social Responsibility

In addition, we recognized discussion group participants for their dedication this semester. Their weekly participation and active discussion are greatly appreciated.

Student Colloquium Discussion - Part One

On Friday, November 10, the Menard Family Initiative hosted part one of the Student Discussion Colloquium focused on the book "How the World Became Rich." The discussion was focused on human capital, the importance of education, and economic development. Perspectives were shared from across the board, including from countries of origin outside the United States.

Part two of the discussion will be held in February of 2024. Stay tuned!

“Onward Wisconsin” Book Release Event

The Menard Family Initiative is proud to sponsor the release of Onward Wisconsin, a book co-authored by 10 scholars investigating Wisconsin's economy in comparison to other states and regions. We had a very successful release reception with representatives from MacIver Institute for Public Policy, Center of the American Experiment, Badger Institute, and our local community.

Thank you to all who have contributed to make this a success. If you are interested in reading, view the online version here.

Entrepreneurship Research Conference

The Menard Family Initiative hosted a two-day entrepreneurship conference, sponsored by Institute for Humane Studies (IHS), bringing together academics, students, and entrepreneurs. The event consisted of two keynote lectures, a panel discussion with both academics and entrepreneurs, an undergraduate student poster session, and several general sessions on sub-topics within entrepreneurship such as the effect of regulations and licensing, implications of entrepreneurship for well-being, gender, and economic development, access to capital markets, and the effects of automation and artificial intelligence. 

Entrepreneurship in the Midwest

Panel Discussion featuring: (pictured left to right)

David Audretsch, Distinguished Professor and the Ameritech Chair of Economic Development at Indiana University 

Jon Holthaus, UWL Almuni 2012 Accounting and Finance - Owner/Member at Holthaus Financial Group, LLC and Co-Founder Country Boom  

Scott Niederjohn, Professor of Economics and Director, Free Enterprise Center 

Debra Lash-Stangel, Owner- The Wedding Tree, The Court Above Main, La Crosse Wedding Expo

Gary Wagner, Acadiana Business Economist Endowed Chair at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette