Dean’s Message

I was having lunch at the University Club when the call came. Israel Asper had passed away earlier that morning. Like many of us, I refused to believe it until I heard it directly from the family. Later, as the sad news sank in, I felt utter sadness for the Asper family and also realized that a gaping hole and been left in all our lives at the I.H. Asper School of Business. His presence, though not always visible, was nevertheless there. It was comforting to know that Izzy really cared about the School and the students, and that if we needed anything, he was there to help. I tried not to impose on him too much because I knew his answer would always be “yes.”  The naming of the I.H. Asper School of Business is, without a doubt, the single greatest event in the history of the business school. With that name came instant recognition and respect across the country. Everyone knew Izzy was a “winner” in every sense of the word and we immediately became winners as well. My commitment to Izzy upon naming the School was that we would continue to strive to be known as one of the best business schools in Canada. For some reason, I feel an even stronger commitment to that promise now that he is gone. Izzy took great pride in the School that bears his name. He revelled in the fact that in international business plan competitions our students regularly beat student teams from the so-called big name schools in the U.S. It was just one more piece of evidence that supported his belief that you could live in Winnipeg and be world-class. I want you to know that I, along with everyone at the I.H. Asper School of Business, am extremely proud to be associated with an organization that bears Izzy’s name. Izzy was one of a kind and will be greatly missed, but the legacy he leaves behind will ensure that his values and principles will live on. We at the Asper School are proud to be a part of that legacy and will always strive to do it justice.