Campus Connection

UWL alumnus to share career success strategies during public lecture April 11

A 4.0 G.P.A. may look good on a resume, but it doesn’t equate to a successful career, says 1982 UW-La Crosse graduate Bryan McKeag. McKeag earned a high grade point average at UWL about 35 years ago, but since graduation he’s found key skills it takes to be successful that go far beyond grades. McKeag, now chief financial officer at Heartland Financial USA Inc., plans to share what employers are looking for besides good grades during a College of Business Administration Distinguished Lecture. The free public lecture will be at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 11, in Stzrelczyk Great Hall, Cleary Alumni & Friends Center. McKeag will talk about valuable qualities students should acquire such as leadership experience, the ability to communicate, community involvement and teamwork. McKeag, a UWL accountancy graduate, will draw from his career experiences since graduation, as well as his UWL experience. He was involved in the Accounting Club, Delta Sigma Pi and did volunteer tax work. He also prepared for his future by using UWL Career Services for not only resume help, but also practice doing mock interviews. About Bryan McKeag He joined Heartland USA Inc. in 2013 as executive vice president and chief financial officer. He was also named director of Heartland Insurance Services in 2015. Prior to joining Heartland, McKeag served as executive vice president, corporate controller and principal accounting officer with Associated Banc-Corp. in Green Bay. He spent nine years in various finance positions at JP Morgan and nine years in public accounting at KPMG in Minneapolis. In 2015, he was appointed to the board of trustees for the University of Dubuque, where he also serves as a member of the finance committee. CBA Distinguished Lecture Series The CBA 2016 Distinguished Lecture Series is an opportunity to hear about business ideas and trends. The program features speakers who can engage students, faculty and the community. If you go — Who: UWL Alumnus Bryan McKeag, ’82 What: Public lecture “Good grades are not enough: Advice for success beyond grades” Where: Stzrelczyk Great Hall, Cleary Alumni & Friends Center When: 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 11 Admission: Free