Students praised C.T. Bauer College of Business Dean Arthur D. Warga for his willingness to work with students and for bringing real world experience to the college. | Steven Oster/The Houstonian
Arthur D. Warga didn’t set out to become dean of the C.T. Bauer College of Business when he first came to UH, but since taking over in 2001, he has helped the college become one of the most prestigious business schools in the country.
“Being a dean was not necessarily something I aspired to,” Warga said. “(But) I will be dean at least for a few more years … I would hope.”
Warga came to UH in 1997 as the Judge James A. Elkins Endowed Chair of Finance and Banking. He went on to teach banking and finance and served as associate dean from 1999-2000.
He said he was named dean by chance, but he calls the opportunity an honor and a joy.
“When I took a job at UH, I ended up on a dean search committee, and when they couldn’t find anyone for about four years, they asked me,” Warga said. “(And) as it turned out, I had a few talents that made it possible for me to make a dramatic difference.”
There is not one thing he enjoys the most of his job, as he said he likes all aspects, including working with students, alumni, faculty and making Bauer one of the nation’s best colleges.
“What do I like about my job? Almost everything. I like building great schools and building the Bauer College,” he said. “The most rewarding thing for me is watching our students graduate and get jobs in the real world of business.”
In his time as dean, Warga has gained the respect of Bauer faculty and students alike, for his work ethic and his willingness to work with others.
“(He is) a dean that actually cares about the students and is willing to listen and take input,” finance and marketing senior Carlos Reyes said. “Someone who is always willing to take time aside and help out the little guy. The type of leader you want to have taking charge of the most successful college at UH.”
Students praised him for continuing to help the college become one of the premiere institutions in the business world.
“Warga has done an outstanding job bringing the corporate world as close to Bauer as possible. This enables us to be more prepared when we graduate,” accounting junior Feliks Starikov said.
Warga brought much experience to UH. He taught at the University of Wisconsin, University of Michigan, University of California, Claremont Graduate School and Columbia University.
He assisted the U.S. Treasury Department with studies on income and finances. He is well noted for founding a Fixed Income Research Program that provides research databases on bond pricing and he has been the Director of it since 1997.
He also serves as a consultant to major corporations such as Citigroup, General Dynamics, Morgan Stanley and J.P. Morgan Chase.
