Harry Wright began his career at Northern Illinois
University in 1971, after earning his B.A. degree in 1967,
and his J.D. in 1970, from the University of Illinois. Over
his 37-year tenure at NIU Harry held various positions
including professor, associate dean, and program director.
However, he is perhaps best remembered as teacher,
mentor, and friend to the many students he taught.
Beginning as instructor in the Department of Management, Harry taught business law in the College of Business and in 1973 he became involved in the CPA Review. He is the author of the scripts for the law portion of Wiley’s CPA Examination Review Audio Tapes. He has taught numerous CPA Review courses for NIU, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Arthur Andersen. He was a frequent speaker on various legal topics including contracts, bankruptcy, wills, trusts and estates. He has made presentations to such organizations as the National Contract Managers Association, the National Association of Accountants, the Illinois Agricultural Leadership Foundation, the Illinois CPA Society, the Association of Financial Planners, as well as countless businesses.
In 1988, Harry became acting associate dean of the College of Business and served as associate dean from 1989 to 1995. In 1989 Harry was appointed director of the Executive MBA program. He held this position until his retirement, as well as teaching in the EMBA program. Throughout his NIU career Harry served on many University and College committees, most recently chairing the University Honors Committee.
Without a doubt, it is Harry’s classroom lectures and the infamous ‘Herb Huskie’ and ‘Ike Illini’ that his students fondly remember. His passion for teaching is most evidenced through the numerous teaching awards he has received during his NIU tenure; among these are the Executive MBA Golden Apple Award and the University Excellence in Teaching Award.