The academic year at Gatton College of Business and Economics unfolds as a series of experiences that bring together students, faculty, alumni and industry partners. From Gatton Welcome to the Dean's Distinguished Speaker Series (and everything in between), each event reflects the college's commitment to developing principled leaders and fostering lifelong connections.
Wally Ferrier – from Gatton Undergrad to Gatton Department Chair (and everything in between)For Wally Ferrier, strategy isn't just discipline, it's a way of thinking. Whether he's leading the Department of Management at the University of Kentucky's Gatton College of Business and Economics, mentoring doctoral students or challenging MBA candidates to think more critically about competition, Ferrier believes the best leaders are those who never stop learning.That philosophy has shaped a career spanning more than three decades at Gatton.
In the May 2026 episode of Simon Says, Dean Simon Sheather highlights some of the biggest recent moments at the University of Kentucky Gatton College of Business and Economics, including Spring 2026 Commencement, faculty and staff awards, student competition wins, the launch of the Blue Means Business Conference, study abroad departures and more. This month’s episode also celebrates major milestones, including retirement recognitions and standout accomplishments from students, faculty and staff across the college.
