I interviewed the most popular guy on campus, Professor Carl Ackermann

Carl Ackermann, one of Notre Dame’s most beloved Professors, is not a dork, though he may tell you otherwise. That is, unless you think hilarious stories, candid pictures of your friends drinking too much, “random stogies,” free candy, and projectile beverages launched at you in the middle of class are boring.

I was fortunate to be able to take his Introductory Corporate Finance class last semester, and had the privilege of being able to sit down and discuss life with him a few days ago. Professors like him are the kind of people who make Notre Dame a better place (and traditionally boring finance a limited-enrollment major due to it’s popularity).

So, here’s what came out of my interview with Carl (he won’t let you call him anything else, except dork).

What is one of the most valuable lessons you learned in your experience as a student?

One of the things I learned in the PHD program was to think about problems much more deeply and in a much more sophisticated way. That was great training because after that, I found that I could win approximately 6% of the arguments with my wife… as opposed to only five percent before getting my PhD.

What lead you to the decision to be a full-time college professor?

I think I was partly predestined, since my dad was a professor of philosophy and my mom was a high school teacher. But of the things that I sampled as a young person, teaching was the one thing I felt that I could really contribute to the lives of other people. Particularly in a field like finance, there is so much opportunity to help young people get off to a good start. Developing enthusiasm in the subject matter has served to be a springboard for a lot of successful careers.

You are renowned for learning the names and interests of all 400-something of your students in a matter of weeks. How long does it take you to memorize this information, and how do you do it? Do you still remember some/most/all of the names/interests? What is the strangest or most memorable piece of information you ever read on the back of one of those cards?

A lot of people have asked if I use memory techniques. I don’t, though I’ve read about some of those… but I don’t implement any. I just care deeply about the people. I think that Notre Dame students are incredible people that will do so much to improve the state of the world and will also be enormously successful. I have such a biding respect for them; the least I can do is do everything I can to show them how important they are. I think that includes getting to know each of them as well as I possibly can, I also find by doing that, I make myself more approachable so they are comfortable asking me any questions they may have.

Sometimes I think that gets a little bit too close… so I’ve had students for example ask me about dating advice. That’s usually the point where I draw the line and refer them to their Rector.

You should probably just refer them to du Lac. What is the strangest or most memorable piece of info you’ve ever received. Does anything jump out?

When I was younger, I used to receive all kinds of things that made me laugh and probably wouldn’t be appropriate for the Tab. Now that I have grey hair and am much more advanced in age, I don’t get nearly as much and I’m comfortable with that.

If you were named president tomorrow, what would be your first order of action?

I don’t have anything specific because I think the students here are very happy. But to me, the most important part of the university is the quality of student life. I think there’s a tremendous amount of learning and social maturity that goes on outside of the classroom. I think I would do some things that would enhance the fun that students are experiencing here.

Maybe annex Club Fever to campus a part of the Campus Crossroads project?

[Carl laughs]. You said it!

What is the most and least exciting thing you did over winter break?

Most exciting thing was definitely going to New York City. My wife and I are both from Western Massachusetts, and we had the good fortune of growing up together in our hometown of Amherst. So we decided we would visit  briefly but also swing down to NYC for a couple of days. I had promised my daughters that they could shop and then experience the bright lights in Times Square.

In your youth, did you have a favorite bar in South Bend? (Asking for a friend)

Actually, I arrived here in my 30s, and at that point I made the vow to not drink alcoholic beverages with my students, which has certainly limited both my options and consumption, so I have not been to a bar in South Bend!

That’s probably our fault because we are everywhere and always drinking. So let me get this straight, you’ve never actually witnessed someone reading the Finance Textbook inside of Club Fever?

So let me say this: I went to Club Fever once, but it was during the day, just so I could see the layout and inquire about some things I’ve heard about, like the Cage. I often wake up and start working at 2am, so sometimes on a Friday morning between 2-3 am I’ll shoot a student a message and say “Hey, is that you in the cage?” and they’ll be shocked and say “You’re here?!” and I’ll say “No of course I’m not there!” I try to have a have a little fun with the students without being there. I’m aware that they are usually quite busy between those hours.

There have been numerous eyewitness reports this year of people reading the textbook at the bar, so I’m pretty sure those pictures you show in class are totally candid and legitimate.

I do have one photo of a guy holding the textbook inside the cage. That was probably a very productive study session.

Most people of your tender age I know flock south for the winter, yet you choose to stay in South Bend even though you aren’t teaching. Why?

It’s entirely a professional decision. I view myself as a member of the service industry, and part of it is when you’re in that industry, there’s no limit to how you can try to serve your client. My opinion is if I’m in the profession, and if I’m not giving everything I can, I should give someone else a chance. The weather doesn’t even occur to me anymore because I get very locked on to my mission and what I do.

One of the things that students love most about you is your open personality (offering out your phone number and calling students just to chat) and your humor and willingness to make fun of yourself. But what is one thing that most ND students don’t know about you?

One thing they probably don’t notice is that I’m pretty well-versed in talking sports. I’m interested in sports and keep up with it, and tend to find that it’s a fun topic to talk about with students. It’s a great way to break the ice in a new conversation.

I’m also someone who tries to play a lot of sports, and since I enjoy talking about them, people tend to think I might be decent at something. I actually stink at everything. I try really hard, but I’m pretty much awful at about everything I try.

Favorite sport?

Running. I’ve taken it up and I think it’s the most efficient form of exercise. That’s something I enjoy doing when I have time… But I’m slow! And it’s getting worse over time. Despite making the effort, it’s just something that I don’t have naturally.

Any advice for the incoming Notre Dame or Mendoza Class of 2020?

Work in community. What makes this school different from all the other elite business programs is that the students, faculty, and staff, work more cohesively than anywhere else. Here, the students work together. They don’t hold anything back in exchanging information. You will grow so much more in an environment like that.

And you also have upperclassmen who have gone through the very same thing and felt the very same way you feel now. You have these expert seniors who have had all these experiences along the way. You can learn tremendously from their advice, and apart from being a tremendous time-saver, it will help you lead a more complete and balanced life. Seek out and utilize the advice of these members of our community.