Arthur A Volk Symposium Hosts Best Selling Author
Speaking to an audience of almost 400 students, faculty and alumni, Roam discussed how to map out and solve complex problems using drawings.
"It was a pleasure having Dan Roam on campus explaining how anyone can use visual thinking to improve communication and problem solving,” said Venky Venkatachalam, dean of the Beacom School of Business. "This creative approach offers individuals a way to visually break down complex problems into simple elements, allowing them to easily interpret the situation they are presented with."
Dan Roam is the author of two international bestsellers, "The Back of the Napkin: Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures," and "Unfolding the Napkin: The Hands-On Method for Solving Complex Problems with Simple Pictures." His book "Unfolding the Napkin" was selected as Business Week and Fast Company’s best innovation book of the year, and Amazon’s #5 selling business book.
The Volk Symposium honors the legacy of Arthur A. Volk, who joined the USD faculty in 1948. During his 36-year tenure at USD, he taught every accounting course offered by the school as well as other business courses. The Symposium was established as a fund to bring together students, academics and business leaders for discussion of current topics of interest.
“Art Volk would have been proud of this impressive gathering of students, alumni, faculty and staff,” stated Tom Davies, chair of the division of accounting and finance. “Dan Roam was an excellent choice to honor Professor Volk’s legacy this year.”
