For this month’s spotlight we had the opportunity to sit with Dr. Timothy L. Shaftel, professor of Corporate Financial Reporting. Dr. Shaftel is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Kansas. He has been part of the CIMBA faculty for over 20 years. During the conversation Dr. Shaftel shared some of his most memorable moments at CIMBA and what makes him passionate about CIMBA.

What is your most memorable story at CIMBA?

In the early 2000’s, back when we were in Asolo, the facility was located next to some people who had chickens, we had a high wall in the back but occasionally a chicken would fly over. So, one day I was teaching a class and suddenly a chicken walked in, which disrupted the class quite a lot. Finally, a kid from Kansas finally caught the thing, everyone else was just yelling “ahh chicken”.

It was a great place over in Asolo, many great memories. The top of the building had rooms and most of the students stayed there. There was a huge kitchen, and all the students would organize themselves for cleaning and cooking. It was a great set up.

When did you first start at CIMBA?

You know for that question I always have to go back and check with my spouse, but I believe it was in 1995. There have been many changes to both the country and the program in the last few years. It was pretty much a cash basis economy, and of course the currency was lira.

When we first came here, everything was chiuso on Sundays. It is still true that every restaurant is closed at least one day a week, it is also true that the day my wife and I decided to go to a restaurant is the day they are closed.

After retirement, what makes you want to come back to CIMBA?

Okay, why would I want to come back and sit here and have a prosecco or a spritz with a group of people like this? Really, the students who come to CIMBA are really great people, they are really fun, interesting, they are fantastic, I love coming over here and meeting them. My only sadness is that I don’t get to know you more.

The first time I came here I said to myself “oh my God, this is fantastic”. I don’t think most people realize how totally unique this program is, it is completely different from anything else that exists anywhere as far as I can say.

What is the main differentiator between CIMBA and other programs?

Well, any other place is a big University, and it has many things going around, you have no clue who is running the place. Here you have Dr. AL and Christina, if you need help, you can talk directly with them. Dr. Al has a vision for the students, and he sees the potential, to CIMBA it is more than just teaching you the course material, it is about what is around you, the “white spaces” who you are as a person, what do you want to be, how do you want to represent yourself to other people.

CIMBA also has LIFE, this program will really help you get a better understanding of who you are as a person and what you want for your future. Additionally, it will give you the necessary tools to create a plan for your future and take immediate action.