Wendell Dunn:
CLASS OF 1963
Newark High SchoolClass of 1963
Newark, DE
University of Pennsylvania - Wharton SchoolClass of 1996
Philadelphia, PA
University of Michigan - BusinessClass of 1980
Ann arbor, MI
Los angeles, CA
Johns Hopkins UniversityClass of 1966
Baltimore, MD
Wendell's Story
LIFE
Having lived and worked in Australia for a few years in the late '60s and early '70s, I just couldn't resist the opportunity to return 'down under'. So, after being recruited for a unique professorial chair at New Zealand's best-known university, we all -- three Dunns plus pets. -- packed up and moved the lot to the North Shore of Auckland in early 2003. We now live just 200 meters off beautiful Takapuna Beach on the Hauraki Gulf of the South Pacific.
Friends and colleagues in Virginia thought we were crazy to leave the Shenandoah/Blue Ridge. True, it is a very lovely place (arguably one of America's best) and I do miss my 'toy' airplane. But New Zealand is, without question, a quieter, gentler nation and one of the world's most beautiful. Life here most is most enjoyable, especially sailing, fishing, and water sports - provided you have and take the time to enjoy them (see photos).
New Zealand isn't all 'Lord of the Rings' and Hobbits. Taxes (in addition to US) are relatively high and work hours quite long, for a variety of reasons. That said, we're relatively corruption-free and you don't have to look over your shoulder constantly, suffer the lunatic fringe, 'ambulance-chasers', or worry about some idiot with a gun. (Most NZ police are still unarmed.) We have, of course, our own issues but far fewer these days, it seems, than the rest of our World.
'Godzone', as it is called, is generally a peaceable kingdom (with a new King) and a great place to raise kids — and to retire. Ours is an extraordinarily diverse society (140+ languages spoken in Auckland) and we are very much an outdoor-sports-BBQ culture with LOTS of entertainment — and fine wine-drinking. We know and are known by many of our neighbours, with whom we socialise regularly.
New Zealand is a relatively expensive place to live: low wage levels, eye-watering housing costs (non-deductible mortgages), and a 'meh' currency. Yet, the beauty of the land and its peoples more than make up for these challenges. Our married (to a great Kiwi bloke) daughter says she's never been happier - and we have a two-year old grand-daughter to prove it!. Her Mum and Dad LOVE this place, too, and we all are now NZ citizens — dual with US: the best of both worlds!
Assuming you can now afford to travel abroad, don't mind long flights (~18+ hours from the US East coast), and can accept a bit of 'carbon guilt', come see for yourself. Bring your credit cards, sun block (we have seriously bad UV), and a smile. You just might not want to leave!
ON WAR,,,
Less-than-perfect vision kept me from all but civil flying and out of most of the military. Still, I've held a pilot's license since 1962 and flew 'bush' in Australia in the early '70s. It's a good thing I couldn't join-up during the Vietnam era: I have always loved flying and probably would have done near-anything (napalm?) at age 21 to get 'high' at someone else's expense.
Upon fatherhood at age 43, I sublimated my militant instincts, becoming deeply involved in emergency medical services, including near seven years on the street as an "ambo" and squad captain in Haddonfield, Camden County, New Jersey...Expand for more
. On one ambulance call, having watched helplessly as my patient bled to death on a sidewalk -- 5 bullets in his back -- I concluded that ALL violence is repugnant and utterly unacceptable. War is violence, cubed. Period. As the old Pennsylvania Dutch adage goes: "ve grow too soon alt; too late schmart..."
PROFESSIONAL (University of Auckland)
"Now in retirement, Wendell Dunn was from 2003 to 2012 the Foundation Professor of Entrepreneurship at the University of Auckland Business School. During his tenure, he held New Zealand's first privately funded university chair and the additional posts of Head, Graduate School of Enterprise (now Management) and Associate Dean for Academic Development. Among his principal contributions during these years were the complete re-development of The Auckland MBA™, a new Executive MBA, and an all-new Master of Bioscience Enterprise programme integrating science, business, and law. The latter became one of the "best-in-class" worldwide in just 6 years.
Prior to joining the faculty in 2003, Dr. Dunn was Professor of Business Administration and founding director of the Batten Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (now the Batten Institute) at the Darden School of the University of Virginia USA. Previously, he was Academic Director of the Sol C. Snider Entrepreneurial Center at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania USA.
Dr. Dunn's academic qualifications include a BA, an MBA, and the PhD from Johns Hopkins University, the University of Southern California, and the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor) respectively. He has taught strategy, entrepreneurship, and science commercialisation at the postgraduate and executive levels for over thirty years and held, in addition, adjunct faculty appointments in both Fine & Performing Arts (Columbia University) and Emergency Medicine (George Washington University).
Beyond academics and management consultancy, he has had direct operating experience in electronics, mineral processing, equity investments, healthcare delivery, and intellectual property management. He has, in addition, some 20 years' service on the boards of various small- and medium-sized enterprises, non-profits, and professional organizations,
Described by colleagues as an innovative, "archetypal educator", Dr. Dunn has been recognized internationally for expertise in curriculum and institutional development. His professional interests include innovation, technology transfer, and venture and economic development. A former president of the American Society of Inventors, he has, in past years, been a senior advisor to New Zealand's Ministry of Economic Development and a member of the Growth and Innovation Advisory Board which advised the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Born in the USA and reared in its Chesapeake Bay region (Maryland, Delaware and Virginia), he and his family reside just off Takapuna Beach on Auckland's North Shore. He serves currently as a Justice of the Peace for New Zealand and, whenever possible, can be found 'flying' in his simulator, listening to classical music, or tending his in-house server 'pharm' crunching molecular models for fun.
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