To the editor:

I was surprised at the story printed in the May 7 Journal-World about the Kansas University business students’ visit with Warren Buffett. The generous offer from Mr. Buffett to give a share of stock to each student was far from the real point of the visit. The point was to ask questions and gain sound wisdom on investing and life. This was the “field trip of a lifetime” that very few business students have a chance at.

Here are some points we learned from Mr. Buffett: 1) Success in life is not measured in financial terms. 2) How essential (not just important) the role of parents are in the lives of children. 3) The social responsibility of wealth and how leaving his billions to his children would not be a wise choice. 4) The importance of loving what you do in life and more importantly, loving those close to you.

Additionally, he gave sound wisdom from a close friend of his who is an Auschwitz survivor. He was a lesson in humility by joking about his appearance, eating ice cream with students and willingly posing with students for pictures while handing them his wallet or allowing them to reach into the breast pocket of his blazer. Why wasn’t one of the many digital pictures with KU students chosen? I called the Journal-World to offer a digital picture for free and was turned down. The picture in the Journal-World of Mr. Buffett playing bridge did not capture the personal visit that each student will remember.

Todd Chipman,

Lawrence