Reese Hathaway (BSM, MANA '26)

Name: Reese Hathaway

Hometown:  Dallas, Texas

Program: BSM Finance + Master of Business Analytics

Following graduation, what’s on the horizon for you professionally?

After graduation, I’ll begin my career as a Business Analyst in strategy consulting at Kearney. I’m looking forward to getting exposure to a range of industries and working through different types of business problems early in my career. More than anything, I’m excited to continue developing my problem solving skills and learning how to take complex, ambiguous situations and turn them into clear, practical recommendations.

Who was your favorite business professor and why?

My favorite business professor was Osman Kazan. I had the opportunity to take multiple classes with him during my time at Tulane, and he consistently stood out for his genuine investment in his students’ success. He brought a unique combination of enthusiasm, humor, and energy to every class, which made even the most technical material engaging. Beyond that, he pushed me to think more analytically and introduced me to a wide range of data centric problem solving techniques that I use constantly. His ability to challenge students while remaining approachable created an environment that made you want to improve, which is what made him such an impactful professor.

What was your favorite business course? Why was it your favorite?

My favorite business course was my undergraduate capstone. It felt like the natural culmination of my undergrad time at Freeman, bringing together everything I had learned across finance, analytics, and strategy. What I appreciated most was how applied the course was, with a strong focus on working through real business situations and presenting our thinking clearly. It was a great opportunity to refine how I communicate ideas and build confidence in delivering recommendations in a structured, professional setting.

What’s the most important thing you learned at Freeman?

The most important thing I learned at Freeman was how to look at business challenges from different perspectives and bring those ideas together into a clear, well-reasoned conclusion. Through the combination of my Finance undergraduate degree and the 4+1 Master of Business Analytics program, I was exposed to a wide range of disciplines and ways of thinking. This helped me develop a habit of asking better questions, testing ideas with data, and refining my thinking along the way. Just as important was learning how to communicate those ideas clearly so others can understand and act on them. Having hands-on, experiential learning throughout this process will be incredibly valuable as I begin my career.

What’s your favorite New Orleans memory?

My favorite New Orleans memory has to be the “Great Snow Day” of 2025, when the city saw multiple inches of snow for the first time in nearly a century. Classes were cancelled, and the entire Tulane community came together in a way I had never seen before. People were sledding down the levees, having snowball fights, and just enjoying a moment that felt completely unique to the city. It was one of those rare days when everything stopped, and everyone was fully present, which made it unforgettable.