John Gallagher, a BFCGI colleague, has come to speak to Creighton students on a number of occasions over the years, particularly about his research on the Economy of Communion. Andy Gustafson met John when they attended a Ryan Center conference on Faith and Business in Manilla, Philippines in 2015, and they found many mutual interests. John invited Andy to the EOC conference that summer in Washington DC, and that is when Andy joined the EOC as an entrepreneurial member. John published a book on the EOC companies in North America and their distinctives called “Structures of Grace: The Business Practices of the Economy of Communion” John will be retiring at the end of this semester, and this Thursday he will be giving his ‘last lecture’ which will be held in the auditorium at school and attended by faculty and students and alum.

From the Maryville website: Retiring management professor John Gallagher to give retirement speech”:

Since 2007, Dr. Gallagher has been involved in researching the business practices of companies that participate in the Economy of Communion, a worldwide movement with goals of using private enterprise to address social problems. In 2014, he and Dr. Jeanne Buckeye from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, published the book “Structures of Grace: Business Practices of the Economy of Communion,” and the principles explored, he said, dovetail with his liberal arts approach to teaching.

“In my mind, what that means is an emphasis on the sociological aspects of business,” he said. “That’s not to ignore the economic aspects, but one of the exercises I have used in class and some other settings is to ask the students to identify their worst experiences as an employee as well as their best. And for the next set of questions, I ask them about the worst and best experiences they’ve ever had as customers.

“When the students tell me, ‘Here’s an experience I’ve had,’ I push them: Why was that so bad? How did that experience make you feel?’ And I do the same with the good experiences, and invariably, in all cases, it comes down, essentially, to either an assault on, or an affirmation of, their fundamental dignity. It always comes down to questions of respect.”

That, he added, illuminates the human dimension of management and business — equally as important as financial principles and basic tenets of economics. And because those experiences of respect and affirmation — or the lack thereof — are universal, they become the building blocks upon which the rest of the coursework can be instructed.

“If we understand that dimension of it, the rest of it stands to follow. Instead of asking, ‘What do we know about organizations?,’ we’re asking, ‘What do we know about human behavior and organizations? What do we know about human behavior in other dimensions?’” he said. “Well, we know there’s such a thing as dysfunctional organizations, and we know what makes them less functional or more functional. Even a core course like the Principles of Finance has a human dimension to it, because an organization’s financial statements tell a story about what’s important to that organization and what that organization values.”

As for Gallagher’s ‘final lecture’ on Thursday, The working title, he added, is “Things Not Yet Said” — a bit cryptic, he acknowledged with a grin, but that’s by design. It will, however, be a celebration of Maryville College, he added.

“One of the things I value about the College is the opportunity we all have to sort of say our piece, both in our words and in our actions over the course of the time we’re here. At the same time, the College has given me a lot, so it’s an act of gratitude in some ways.”

He has no firm retirement plans — “I’m not a believer in a compartmentalized life, and I’ve already traveled a bit,” he said — he and his wife, Patricia, have plenty to keep them occupied, with 12 grandchildren and several step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren. And while he’s stepping away from the classroom, he and Patricia live nearby, and the same campus walks that first attracted him to Maryville College will certainly be a part of his life after retirement.

“I think there is an aura about particular places, geographical places, and this is one of them,” he said. “Exactly what that aura is, I don’t know if I can put that into words … whether it’s the view of the mountains or whether it’s the symmetry of the campus, it’s a very welcoming space, and at the same time, it’s an expansive space.

“And then there’s the fact that it’s a college campus, and that’s always been a special environment to me. I almost always enjoy being on a college campus, knowing what goes on there, and I’m glad to have found a place for myself at Maryville College.” 

For those unable to attend Gallagher’s Last Lecture, the talk will be streamed live on the College’s Facebook page. A reception will follow in the William Baxter Lee Grand Foyer of the Clayton Center.

In lieu of congratulatory gifts, Dr. Gallagher has requested that donations be made to support global education. Gifts of any size are welcomed and can be made online at http://maryvillecollege.edu/givetoday. Be sure to add “Dr. John Gallagher’s retirement” in the comment box under “gift preferences.” If you would like to contribute in another way, please contact Eric Bellah at eric.bellah@maryvillecollege.edu or 865-981-8225.