Kautz Alumni Masters Program Forges Connections

Alumni Create Experiences for Today's Students and Tomorrow's Leaders

The Kautz Alumni Masters Forum continues to bring distinguished alumni back to campus to meet and interact with today’s students and tomorrow’s leaders. The most recent Kautz Alumni Master of 2013 was Bruce Besanko, who graduated from the University of Cincinnati (UC) in 1982. Since then, he embarked on a successful career that spans military service and a number of well-known corporations.

Bruce earned a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from UC and has a Master of Business Administration degree in finance and strategy from the University of Chicago. He also serves on the Advisory Board of the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago.

“My education and exposure to different teachers and topics gave me a strong intellectual foundation and the confidence to pursue and, ultimately, achieve my career goals,” said Bruce.

Bruce joined SUPERVALU in August 2013 as executive vice president and chief financial officer. Bruce oversees the financial activities of the company and is responsible for financial reporting, accounting, treasury, capital management, corporate finance, financial services, investor relations, tax and indirect procurement. Prior to SUPERVALU, Bruce was vice president of finance, chief financial officer and chief administrative officer for OfficeMax. Along with OfficeMax, Bruce has held multiple financial leadership positions with several well-known companies including Sears, Best Buy and The Yankee Candle Company.

While visiting UC in late November, Bruce met with a number of UC representatives and spoke to students in classrooms at the McMicken College of Arts and Sciences and the Lindner College of Business. His visit to UC spurred connections – not only for Bruce, but for the students who learned by hearing about his professional accomplishments and experience.

This visit to UC was Bruce’s second time on campus in 25 years. Two students from the Department of Psychology were able to give Bruce a complete tour of campus. “The campus looks spectacular,” said Bruce. “I also had the chance to eat lunch at the TUC, a place where I have very fond memories. The campus has truly transformed from a ‘commuter campus’ to a full blossomed, beautiful university setting.”

With Jim Kautz’ vision for UC, the university created the Kautz Alumni Masters Forum to take advantage of the wealth of expertise among our alumni and give them an opportunity to share those experiences with students. Alumni Masters are leaders in business and industry, in education and the arts, who have set new standards of accomplishment by which other measure themselves.

“I am absolutely humbled to be named a Kautz Alumni Master. UC and the College of A&S in particular left an indelible mark on who I am as a person, both professionally and personally. I am very proud to be an alumnus of UC which has given so much to me,” said Bruce.

UC President, Santa J. Ono presented Bruce with the Kautz Alumni Masters Award before Bruce finished his UC visit on Nov. 26.

Media Contact: 
Ashley Moran, UC Foundation
513-556-6395 desk
513-253-8582 cell
ashley.moran@uc.edu