Gies Business News and Stories
Explore the ideas, people, and impact shaping Gies College of Business. From faculty research and student experiences to alumni achievements and donor impact, these stories highlight how our community is advancing business knowledge and creating real-world change.
PODCAST: The problem with treating your organization like a machine
Oct 27, 2026
Organizations work more like living systems than machines. Elizabeth Luckman’s research suggests leaders get better, more ethical problem-solving by building conditions where employees feel safe to speak up, contribute meaningfully, and learn through experimentation.
Why the bananas you love could be in a bunch of trouble
Oct 26, 2026
Gies Business professor Marcelo Bucheli, a leading expert on the banana industry, traces how the Cavendish became a global staple through United Fruit’s supply chain, marketing, and political influence in Latin America. Now Tropical Race 4 threatens the genetically uniform Cavendish worldwide.
Historical marker honors impact of Art Wyatt
Oct 23, 2026
A new historical marker outside Wohlers Hall honors Art Wyatt, an Illinois alumnus and professor whose leadership helped bring U.S. and international accounting standards closer together.
Larry Gies pledges $100 million matching gift to Gies College of Business
Oct 20, 2026
Larry Gies has pledged $100 million to match the next $100 million in qualifying donations to Gies College of Business, potentially generating $200 million for scholarships, student experiences, and faculty support. The pledge brings his lifetime giving to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to $350 million, making him its largest benefactor.
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New access point monitor provides Beacon of hope for dialysis patients
Oct 19, 2026
Physician and Gies Business iMBA graduate Kevin Volkema partnered with vascular surgery resident Richie Li to develop Beacon, a wearable ultrasound device that helps dialysis patients monitor their fistulas and detect failures early.
US drinking water is getting cleaner, Gies Business research finds
Oct 15, 2026
A sweeping study of US drinking water finds pollution has fallen by half and federal infrastructure loans reduce pollution and improve health.
What flourishers do differently: Three habits for handling workplace stress
Oct 14, 2026
Flourishing employees manage stress through three learnable habits: Reframe setbacks by putting them in perspective, Reach Out for advice and emotional support, and Reset through movement, nature, mindfulness, or deliberate breaks. These habits can help keep stress from compounding.
PODCAST: Navigating AI in accounting firms
Oct 13, 2026
Research finds that experienced auditors may discount sound AI advice when they feel their expertise is being displaced and how organizations can help professionals embrace AI as a partner.
Drug shortages, social media, and nursing home care highlight healthcare conference topics
Oct 12, 2026
The Midwest Healthcare Management Conference hosted by Gies Business and Carle Illinois College of Medicine highlighted research on three healthcare challenges: mapping pharmaceutical supply chains to address rural drug shortages, using social media to support mental health, and tackling nursing home staffing shortages.
Artificial intelligence and its impact on creative content
Oct 10, 2026
Generative AI can help creative marketplaces deliver more personalized content and increase profits, potentially allowing platforms to charge a premium. These benefits rely on work contributed by human creators, who may receive little or no compensation when their content is used to train AI.