For These Fans, a Day With Buffett Offers Wealth of Photo Opportunities

The following is an excerpt from an article in the Wall Street Journal that quotes two Mendoza College of Business MBA students, Antonio Espinosa and Pat Ryan, during a day spent with Warren Buffett. To read the entire article visit: A Day With Buffett


Clutching a diamond engagement ring, Warren Buffett got down on one knee and asked for Alexa Tavasci's hand in marriage.

"Please take me. Please have me," the 81-year-old billionaire begged at an Omaha, Neb., restaurant as cameras snapped around him.

Ms. Tavasci, a 21-year-old junior at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, accepted the fake proposal, which was her idea. Then she gave the diamond ring back to her friend, who was hovering nearby.

"All I heard around me was laughter," recalls Ms. Tavasci, an accounting student who prepared for the visit by reading Mr. Buffett's biography.
When it comes to investing, the Berkshire Hathaway Inc. chief executive is a serious man. But put Mr. Buffett in front of a camera with a future generation of business leaders and the Oracle of Omaha turns into quite a funny guy.

Several times a year, Mr. Buffett invites business students from around the U.S. to Berkshire's headquarters in Omaha for a day's visit. He spends two hours answering their questions, and they tour local businesses owned by Berkshire, including the sprawling Nebraska Furniture Mart and Borsheims jewelry store.

Mr. Buffett takes them out to lunch for favorite foods like chicken parmesan and root beer floats. A few lucky students join him in his Cadillac for the ride.

Throughout the day, Mr. Buffett doles out lessons on life, telling the students to choose the right spouse and surround themselves with people who are better than they are.

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