The University of Wisconsin School of Business appointed alumnus Dan Olszewski to be director of the Center for Entrepreneurship Thursday.

The center helps business students pursue potential job opportunities, reserves speakers and organizes trips for students to visit various companies.

According to Olszewski, his job as director will entail working with students and the business community to find students the best possible job opportunities.

Michael Knetter, dean of the School of Business, said Olszewski's educational background at UW as an undergraduate and at Harvard Business School, as well as his business experience, makes him perfect for the position.

"[He has helped] build and turn around companies, so we think he's a really good fit for this," he said.

In addition, Olszewski said his wide variety of experiences in the business world since graduating from Harvard Business School will bring many benefits to the Center for Entrepreneurship.

He says he has established a "network of people and businesses" throughout his professional career.

When asked what he did before accepting the position as director, Olszewski said, "I had been CEO of a couple companies."

Olszewski was president and CEO of Katun Corporation, whose revenue increased $60 million during his tenure.

Knetter showed confidence Olszewski will continue to make progress in the 10-year-old entrepreneurship program.

"We have extraordinary practitioners working with our students, so we are always open to try to fuse great faculty with great practitioners," he said.

Olszewski said he is excited to return to his alma mater as a faculty member and that UW is a fun place to be, even later in life.

"I have a huge affinity for this school," he said. "It's been really neat to run into some of my old professors and see them after almost 20 years."

Knetter said the business school is lucky to have Olszewski return to Madison as a part of the UW faculty.

"He's an extraordinary person who [can] share his wisdom with students," he said.

Gaylord Nelson Distinguished Professor

Jonathan Foley — director of the University of Wisconsin Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment — was awarded the first Gaylord Nelson Distinguished Professor award by the UW Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies yesterday.

According to Foley, his research focuses on the effects of human activities on the planetary environment.

For the next four years, Foley will hold the title of Gaylord Nelson Distinguished Professor award winner and will receive $19,000 annually for research support.

In an e-mail, Foley said it feels "amazing" to be the primary recipient of such a prestigious award.

"Gaylord Nelson was a real hero to me," he said. "A visionary, honest leader — someone we could really use today."

Though Foley has won various other awards — including the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers in 1997 from former President Bill Clinton — this award holds a special significance in his life.

"It's always an honor to be recognized by your colleagues, but it is especially humbling to be associated with such a great human being," he said. "I just wish he were still with us today, fighting the good fight."