A former international fugitive and convicted felon discussed business ethics in the University Center Ballroom Wednesday night.  The College of Business Administration , Beta Alpha Psi and Delta Sigma Pi sponsored the event.
Patrick Kuhse , former financial planner, stockbroker and entrepreneur, told his story of how “seemingly unimportant decisions” turned him into a federal inmate.  Kuhse closed with a motivational message to “follow your passion” and “don’t follow the money.”
Kuhse’s presentation titled “Why Smart People Do Such Dumb Things,” explained eight critical thinking errors that helped to place him in position for indictment.  The errors mentioned are entitlement, super optimism, affection disconnection, seemingly unimportant decisions, rationalization, laziness, “victimitis” and situational ethics.  Kuhse concluded with three questions one should ask before becoming involved in a questionable action:  “Is it legal, is it balanced and how will I feel about myself afterwards?”
With humor, Kuhse told of his adventure in the business world and how he became a fugitive, hoping to teach business students a lesson he learned the hard way.
Kuhse was convicted in 1994 for felony and illegal business practice charges.  “It’s so easy to fall into that trap,” Kuhse said.  After fleeing to Costa Rica where he stayed for four years, Kuhse turned himself in to authorities and served six years in prison.  
“I’m doing the right thing,” Kuhse said of turning himself in, “and because of that, I felt the weight of the world off me.”
During those six years, he only saw his two sons three times.
“They told their friends their dad died,” Kuhse said.“They told their friends their dad died,” -Patrick Kuhse
Kuhse described his time in prison as “nothing but missed opportunities,” until he became determined to earn his masters degree while in prison.  For 90 days Kuhse held study groups with 100 other prisoners, studying for his degree.
Kuhse mentioned one collect call to his mother he would never forget.
“Mom and dad were crying on the phone.  They told me they received my degree in the mail,” Kuhse said.
When Kuhse was released from prison in 2001, he had nothing.  Divorced and living in a halfway house in Phoenix, his parents were still there for him.
“They told me, ‘We know you’ve learned a lesson and that’s all we care about,’” Kuhse said.
Kuhse began giving speeches for community service and decided he liked it.  Today Kuhse travels around the nation to college campuses sharing his story with students.  He encourages students to do what they love to do, and the money will come.
Puja Thakurdas, a senior in accounting, thought the presentation was great.  “It’s very interesting.  He’s for real; telling his story is a great lesson for everyone to hear,” Thakurdas said.