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Home Life With Phil Talk Archives

Philanthropy Talks Video Archive

Each spring and fall, an Iowa alum or friend returns to the University of Iowa to share their story about how they give back and empower others. These programs inspire students and the broader campus community to incorporate philanthropy into their lives. Learn about other student philanthropy opportunities available on campus.

Hawkeyes Give Back: Combating Climate Change

Through research, education, and advocacy, Hawkeyes are responding to a growing environmental crisis. Watch the video of this previously recorded virtual event to hear how University of Iowa professors Gregory Carmichael and Jerald Schnoor are giving back to combat climate change.

Hawkeyes Give Back: Philanthropy for Social Change

Hear how community engagement manager Brett Burk (14BA), social impact executive Jonathan Chaparro (08BA), underserved populations program supervisor RaQuishia Harrington (05BS), and political activist and writer Stacey Walker (10BA) are using philanthropy for social change.

Fran and Margaret McCaffery

Iowa men’s basketball coach Fran McCaffery and his wife, Margaret, want to help find a cure for cancer. Learn more about their work with the American Cancer Society and Coaches vs. Cancer—and their role in creating a new cancer center for adolescents and young adults at Iowa. Watch their fall 2019 lecture.

Dave Dierks

Dave Dierks (70BA) is one of the most influential members of Iowa’s philanthropy community. Dierks began his career at the University of Iowa Foundation (now the University of Iowa Center for Advancement), where he has worked to garner support for Iowa for more than 45 years. Watch his spring 2019 lecture.

Kathy Dore

Media industry innovator Kathy Dore (72BA, 84MBA) is the senior advisor of vision and strategy for consulting firm Proteus Inc. Dore previously served as president of broadcasting at Canwest Media and president of entertainment networks for Rainbow Media, overseeing cable networks AMC, IFC, WE, and Bravo. She is vice chair for University of Iowa Center for Advancement Board of Directors and has given back to the University of Iowa’s Department of Communication Studies and the Henry B. Tippie College of Business. Watch her fall 2018 lecture.

Mark Kaufman

Entrepreneur and philanthropist Mark Kaufman (86BS) is the founder and president/CEO of Athletico, one of the largest physical therapy franchises in the nation. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training and Physical Education from the University of Iowa in 1986. After earning secondary degrees from the University of Arizona and Northwestern University, Mark opened the first Athletico clinic in August 1991. Watch his spring 2018 lecture.

Andy Code

Entrepreneur Andy Code (80BBA, 81MBA) is the founder and chairman of Promus Capital and Promus Equity Partners, a multifamily office created in 2008, with a concentration in alternative assets such as private equity, impact investing, hedge funds, managed futures, and real estate. He also established CHS Capital—a $2.9 billion private equity fund—in 1988 and was a partner there for 24 years. Watch his fall 2017 lecture.

Sheri Salata

Media powerhouse Sheri Salata (80BBA) is the former executive producer of The Oprah Winfrey Show and the former president of Harpo Studios and the Oprah Winfrey Network. Salata’s latest professional venture is the launching of STORY, a media company that produces print, television, film, and digital content. Watch her spring 2017 lecture.

Ted Waitt

Sioux City native Ted Waitt (17LHD) is the founder and chairman of the Waitt Foundation. At 22, he co-founded Gateway 2000 Inc., where he helped revolutionize the direct marketing of personal computers, and he became a Fortune 500 CEO and member of the Forbes 400 by the time he was 30. Since his retirement from Gateway in 2004, he has gone on to form multiple business and philanthropic enterprises. Watch his talk from fall 2016.

P. Sue Beckwith, M.D.

Renowned physician and philanthropist P. Sue Beckwith (80BS, 84MD, 15MBA) shared her personal and professional journey and spoke about why she is deeply committed to supporting the University of Iowa. Watch her talk from spring 2016.

John Pappajohn

John Pappajohn (52BSC, 10LHD) is a leading philanthropist and nationally celebrated entrepreneur and business leader. He and his wife, Mary, have contributed millions of dollars to state, educational, and fine-arts endeavors in Iowa and beyond. Among the Pappajohns’ many significant Iowa contributions include naming gifts for the Pappajohn Business Building, the Pappajohn Pavilion at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, the John and Mary Pappajohn Clinical Cancer Center, the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center, and the Pappajohn Biomedical Institute in the John and Mary Pappajohn Biomedical Discovery Building. Watch his fall 2015 talk.

Jerre Stead

Jerre Stead (65BBA) is a visionary business leader who has enjoyed a long and illustrious career leading high-tech and information companies. A native of Maquoketa, Iowa, he started out in the business world with the Honeywell Corporation and, during his 21 years with the company, rose from production control planner to head of the firm’s Homes and Buildings Worldwide group. In 1987, Stead left Honeywell for the Square D Company, where he ultimately became chairman, president, and CEO. Watch his spring 2015 lecture.

Henry B. Tippie

Henry B. Tippie (49BSC, 09LHD) is one of the University of Iowa’s most accomplished and generous alumni. Throughout the years, he and his wife, Patricia, have supported important university programs and made a tremendous impact on the university, its students, and faculty. In 1999, in recognition of the Tippies’ visionary giving, Iowa renamed its business college the Henry B. Tippie College of Business. Watch his spring 2014 lecture.

Janice Ellig

Janice Ellig (68BBA) is the co-CEO of Chadick Ellig Executive Search Advisors in New York City and co-author of two books. She also serves as chair of the University of Iowa Center for Advancement Board of Directors. Watch her spring 2013 talk.

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Philanthropy in Motion

From Big Brothers Big Sisters to the Chicago Bulls, UI grad spreads mentorship and rehabilitation services. Relaxing in Hillcrest Hall on a Sunday night, Mark Kaufman (86BS) could have easily skipped the meeting that changed his life. But the UI sophomore was intrigued by a recent letter he received about a gathering, and that was enough to send him out the door. Kaufman walked inside the recently completed Carver-Hawkeye Arena and uncovered an interest that eventually led him to build one of the largest physical therapy franchises in the country. Moments after the athletic training orientation began, Kaufman was hooked. ?A lot of that was dumb luck. I could have blown off that meeting, but something told me to go,? Kaufman says of the fall 1983 meeting. ?It was a little decision at the time that impacted my life in a big way.? Kaufman was accepted into the UI athletic training program later that year. He earned his certificate and a bachelor?s degree in 1986, completed secondary degrees at the University of Arizona and Northwestern University, and worked two years at a Chicago-area physical therapy clinic. In August 1991, Kaufman opened the first Athletico center in Chicago with only the help of a receptionist to get his business started. Today, the orthopedic rehabilitation provider has more than 400 locations in 11 states and its clientele includes the Big Ten Conference, U.S. Soccer, and several major Chicago sports franchises. Kaufman, the CEO and president of Athletico, will return to the UI to give a "Life with Phil" talk on April 26 at the Old Capitol Senate Chamber. The event is part of Phil?s Day, which celebrates philanthropy and all the ways UI?s people, buildings, and programs benefit from it. Students, faculty, and staff will sign thank-you cards for donors at various spots around campus and wear ?I am Phil? stickers that symbolize their connection to these acts of generosity. Black and gold bows and signs will also be placed on campus buildings to represent Phil?s impact. Black and gold were the only colors Kaufman considered for his college choice. Raised in Olds, Iowa, a town of less than 200 people located 38 miles south of Iowa City, Kaufman developed an early affinity for the UI and its athletics?attending Hawkeye football, basketball, and wrestling. A multi-sport athlete at WACO High School, Kaufman knew he wasn?t talented enough to compete in Division I and figured he?d teach or coach at a small high school. That vision changed after his athletic training orientation. Kaufman wanted to understand athletic injuries, help athletes recover, and stay immersed in sports. A new door had opened. ?[The UI] changed my career path, changed my life, and changed my direction,? says Kaufman. Philanthropy sat in the back of Kaufman?s mind initially as his duties at Athletico, and as a husband and father, made him hesitant to get involved. ?I didn?t appreciate the opportunities they provided to meet people, step outside the business, support things that were important to me, and the benefits you get from that,? says Kaufman. He?s since shared his gifts with many, including local underserved communities. As an executive committee member of Big Brothers Big Sisters Metropolitan Chicago, Kaufman advances the organization?s mission to pair mentors with children who are facing adversity. He also serves on the board for Operation Walk Chicago, an organization that helps homebound people with debilitating joint diseases walk again. Kaufman has not forgotten the place that launched his successful career?and has given back to the UI to help other aspiring athletic trainers. Most notably, Kaufman helped sustain the UI?s athletic training program through the Danny T. Foster Professorship in Athletic Training Education. Foster (74BS, 77MA, 96PhD) taught and mentored Kaufman at the UI, and sparked his interest in athletic training when Kaufman attended a Hawkeye wrestling meet as a high school senior. Inside the Field House, Kaufman watched Foster tend to a wrestler. ?I didn?t know what an athletic trainer was,? Kaufman says. ?We didn?t have one at my high school.? Foster exemplified everything an athletic trainer should be. He could answer nearly any question, set high expectations for the program, and displayed a calm and stoic demeanor that Kaufman wanted to emulate. John Streif (70BS) and Ed Crowley were also influential members of Iowa?s athletic training staff, who along with Foster, developed Kaufman?s work ethic, raised his attention to detail, and first connected him with Big Brothers Big Sisters. Athletico grew organically for 20 years, and in recent years has rapidly expanded its reach through several acquisitions of other physical therapy and rehabilitation companies. Kaufman?s clinical duties shifted to the business side, and he plans to further spread Athletico?s range by seeking opportunities in health care beyond outpatient and physical therapy. The UI remains a special place for Kaufman. He met his wife, Mary Ann, here as a senior, and his middle daughter, Margaret, is pursuing a degree in marketing. And over 30 years ago, Kaufman?s journey to success started in Iowa City at a Sunday night meeting, where he discovered an opportunity to help others. Says Kaufman: ?Look for opportunities to give back wherever you get energy from, because they?re out there. You just have to look for them.? If you go: Life with Phil Who: Mark Kaufman, Athletico founder and CEO What: Kaufman will reflect on his UI experience and how philanthropy has affected him in the ?Life with Phil? talk. When: Thursday, April 26, at 10:30 a.m. Where: Senate Chamber, Old Capitol Museum

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