Carthage promotes Joseph Tenuta to distinguished business professorship

KENOSHA, Wis. – Carthage College has affirmed its commitment to blend real-world experience with academic excellence, appointing Joseph Tenuta as the next Rogers Palmer Distinguished Professor in Business.

Tenuta began teaching at Carthage as an adjunct business professor in 2017 and joined the faculty in 2021. He contributed to launching the School of Business and Economics in 2023 as a center of excellence by inspiring students, building partnerships with regional businesses, and collaborating across academic disciplines at Carthage’s lakeside campus.

“It is a privilege and a responsibility to catalyze change in a meaningful, measurable way,” said Tenuta, chair of the Management Department. “My goal is to bring both my personal and professional experiences into the classroom to add value to my students.”

Tenuta helped to introduce Carthage’s degree program in healthcare administration in fall 2024, and his impact extends beyond the classroom. He also supports students by advising Pi Sigma Epsilon, a business fraternity. He championed the innovative Carthage Spark program, which delivers education in the workplace.

Carthage recognized Tenuta’s appointment on April 24 in the A. W. Clausen Center for World Business, with his wife, Jennifer, and their five children among those in attendance.

Jim Padilla, dean for the School of Business and Economics, praised Tenuta’s deep commitment to student success, community roots, and dedication to mentoring students, making him an exceptional match for this distinguished role.

Tenuta holds an MBA in finance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Lubar College of Business and a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the Milwaukee School of Engineering. He has had unique experiences in industries ranging from manufacturing to healthcare, with various roles including C-suite. Last year, he published a book for emerging entrepreneurs, “The Starting BluPrnt: What You Can Expect When Starting Your Own Business.” Tenuta’s deep ties to the Kenosha area — where his parents settled after immigrating from Italy — strengthen his connection to the community.

He is the fourth faculty member to hold the Rogers Palmer Distinguished Professorship, following Victor LaBelle (1984), Don Johnson (1990-2001), and David Brunn (2004-2012). Established in 1983 by Snap-on executive Rogers “Rod” Palmer and his wife, Mary, it was Carthage’s first endowed chair supporting faculty excellence in perpetuity.

“When you think of tools, there is no more prominent name than Snap-on,” said Tenuta. “Rogers Palmer supported this professorship to foster the creative programming that would develop students into leaders in a manner consistent with the values Snap-on was built on.”

Tenuta promised to be a steward of this professorship and its resources, saying, “I will work to maintain the integrity and demonstrate the values on which it is based.”

About Carthage
Carthage College is raising expectations for a private college experience. It blends the best liberal arts traditions with desirable degree programs, transformative learning opportunities, personal attention from distinguished faculty, and a focus on career development, which makes its graduates competitive in the workforce. Carthage has undertaken a $100 million fundraising campaign, “Light that Travels,” to deliver a radiant future for students through access, program innovation, and sustained excellence. Founded in 1847, Carthage is located on an idyllic shore of Lake Michigan in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in the thriving corridor between Milwaukee and Chicago. Grow with us: www.carthage.edu

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.