"A prolific researcher, he brings current international issues and practices into his classes. One of his greatest gifts he brings to the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater (in USA) is an open, intelligent and kind mind,” it was officially announced at a ceremony on May 16, 2013 when Dr Yezdi H. Godiwalla was presented the 2013 W. P. Roseman Excellence in Teaching Award, reportedly the University’s highest award, by the University’s provost and vice chancellor Beverly Kopper. This honor that was presented with a citation, medallion and a cash gift of $ 1,000 entitles him to march, at the head of the parade, alongside the chancellor, provost and vice chancellor, and commencement speaker, carrying the University mace at the current academic year’s annual convocation ceremonies in December 2013 and May 2014.
Dr Yezdi Godiwalla with his teaching award
Professor of management at this University for three and a half decades Godiwalla is known to put his pupils ahead of his own schedule and commitments and give "all students an opportunity to excel in a welcoming but still challenging environment. His career is filled with thankful students and alumni – past, present and future,” it was acknowledged. The senior professor who is actively involved in research has presented over 125 papers to various academic and professional bodies, additionally published over 40 scholarly journal articles, conducted panel discussions and book reviews, and assisted in the publication of three treatises on strategy management authored by his then colleague at Oklahoma, Dr Kyamas Palia who is currently executive director of Godrej and Boyce Manufacturing Company Limited.
Prior to migrating to the USA Godiwalla had earned management experience at the Tata Iron and Steel Company (now Tata Steel) in Jamshedpur and at Godrej and Boyce in Bombay. Born in Bombay, Godiwalla studied at St Mary’s High School but always regarded Jamshedpur as "home,” his father Hoshang (better known as Minoo) having worked at Tata Steel there for 37 years. He earned his BA in English literature and economics from Jamshedpur Cooperative College that was affiliated to Ranchi University, MBA from the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad and PhD in business administration from Oklahoma State University. During his 45 years in this field his forte has been strategic management, international management, social responsibility, and organizational theory and behavior, often invited to conduct numerous professional conferences and seminars for executives and owners of small businesses.
The former chair of the Chicago chapter of the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce (WZCC), during the three-day silver jubilee celebrations of the Chicago Darbe Mehr in 2008, Godiwalla had taken the lead in organizing a day’s events that were under the auspices of WZCC.
Gas afarganiu in his prayer room
"Strategic management starts with strong ethical and social responsibility values,” believes Godiwalla who has a "strong faith” in the Zoroastrian religion. According to him, "It stands for the best values of humanity. I use much of its essence in teaching business ethics and social responsibility, using Tatas and Godrej and Boyce as strong and telling examples.”
He considers himself privileged to have an old, unused afarganiu from an agiary in Bombay at the prayer room at his residence that was installed when their house was built in 1999. "With natural gas flowing through the afarganiu so that we may light a fire at the flick of a switch,” it helps reinforce the family’s religious ties, states Yezdi whose wife Shirley, a pediatric urologist is daughter of Ervad Nariman and Dhun Dastus. Their son Yazad who is an MBA by training is also a priest. Elder daughter Roxana is studying medicine and the younger one Tinaz is one seeking a career in the health field.