When Patricia Daugherty, B.B.A.'80, MBA'81, (now, Dr. Patricia Daugherty) stepped into her first marketing course as an undergraduate student, she had no idea that she was going to meet a professor who would be a mentor and friend though every stage of her career.
That introductory marketing course confirmed two things for her—that she had chosen the right field and that she had found a knowledgeable guide through the discipline in Dr. Zack Quraeshi.
“His enthusiasm and professionalism made a big impact on me,” notes Daugherty. “I could see how much he enjoyed what he did and how students responded. I stayed at Western to do an MBA and then taught at WMU as an instructor for two years. Zack and a few other faculty encouraged me to consider getting a Ph.D. I did go on to get a Ph.D. in marketing, advertising and supply chain management and chose the academic life. It was a great decision! Also, while I was teaching as an instructor at Western, I got to know Zack and his wife Nalini as friends. Their friendship and continuing support has meant so much to me.”
Choosing the academic life was a great decision for Daugherty, who is the Ivy Chair in Business at Iowa State University, and it was a great decision for the students she would impact with her own brand of enthusiastic mentorship.
“Pat is truly unique in terms of developing the skills of her students,” says Dr. Chad Autry, FedEx Corporation Endowed Chair and Chair of the Department of Supply Chain Management at the University of Tennessee – Knoxville. “I’m number 3 of 11 or 12 doctoral students she has mentored, and I’d wager that most of us were halfway to tenure or more the day we graduated because she helped us publish our earliest papers. Pat requires that students be equal partners in research, and I hit the ground running as a researcher when I arrived at my first job. It’s absolutely why I am a chaired professor today, no question. Her training methods are legendary in the supply chain management field.”
Reflecting on her own experiences with teaching, mentorship and student success, Daugherty recently established an endowed scholarship fund in Dr. Quraeshi’s name that will be awarded to WMU marketing students.
Daugherty wanted to honor Quraeshi’s long and successful career as a teacher and top researcher in global business. “He has contributed so much to the success of thousands of students, including my own. His hard work and dedication to both his students and to Western Michigan University’s Haworth College of Business deserve to be recognized.”
“As a student in my classes 40 some years ago, Pat stood out immediately,” says Quraeshi. “And of all the students I’ve had in the years since, she is unequivocally among the best of the best. Her distinguished career has taken her to many institutions where she has earned several endowed chairs. I’ve taken pride in following her progress as she’s made her mark in the profession as a respected thought leader. Throughout, she has remained a loyal WMU Bronco at heart.”
Quraeshi was humbled and honored by Daughtery’s decision to fund a scholarship in his name. “Pat broke the news to my wife and me one evening when she was in town. She left us both speechless, with the full impact of her magnanimity not sinking in at the time. All this was communicated in her very unassuming, gentle, yet firm and resolute way. But that is characteristically Pat, as all who know her will fondly attest.”
The first student awards from the fund are anticipated in spring 2021. “I hope that the financial award and recognition will encourage students to continue their education,” says Daugherty. “I look forward to the recipients exploring the wonderful opportunities that they will have as Western graduates.”
Individuals interested in supporting the scholarship can make a gift online. Or, mail your gift to:
WMU Foundation
1903 W. Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
If making a gift by mail, please write "Quraeshi Fund" in the memo line of your check.