April 9, 2008
Professor Jagdish Agrawal Dear Professor Agrawal, As a returning student with prior experience in the business world, I would like to describe my experience as a student of Mr. Bagwell. His Winter Quarter course, Marketing 3425, was the most useful and outstanding course I have ever had the pleasure of attending. Mr. Bagwell brings real-world knowledge and experience to the classroom, and makes it compelling to all students through a combination of approaches, challenging assignments and a mentoring (rather than lecturing) relationship with his students. At the outset of the course, I was embarrassed at the attitude of many of the younger students who approached assignments cynically, with no imagination, and with disinterest. Mr. Bagwell was undeterred by this. He took a highly interactive and mentoring approach with all students, and managed to gain the interest and attention of even those who seemed at first to regard their evening class as an opportunity to sleep in the back of the room. Ultimately, he challenged and excited the entire class. Mr. Bagwell embodies the style that he teaches students to employ. That is, the way an effective marketing executive presents material is the way he presents his course material. Thus students learn through role modeling as well as by following his description of how to conceptualize and present material. Mr. Bagwell teaches in many effective modes, including having executives of companies give guest presentations, and meeting with students outside of class in corporate offices where they rehearse their presentations for him and can experience the environment in which they aspire to function. After he had helped students polish their presentation and prepare for their final performance, he arranged for that performance to be held in the VBT Conference Room with executives from Caterpillar and Peterson Caterpillar present and asking questions. Because Mr. Bagwell challenges students to think, be creative, and perform new skills, they need his support and frequent feedback– which he provides in abundance. He is always available by email and phone outside of office hours. He also works extensively with students in person outside of office hours. In short, he is a brilliant and caring mentor. Mr. Bagwell’s class presentations are full of examples from industry of the way executives need to think and perform. In my estimation one of the key ideas and skills he conveyed had to do with selling one’s marketing budget. How does a marketing manager arrange to be taken seriously by upper management? … by being able to sell a marketing budget to his superiors. We learned the elements of a marketing budget and how to present it. Mr. Bagwell’s personal manner is outstanding. He shows a serious interest in all of his students. He listens, gives advice and guidance, and enables students to become confident and believe in their ability to succeed. Wish that all teachers were like him.
Joseph P. Creighan |