UI students spend time with Warren Buffett

Samantha Lane not only got to meet Warren Buffett, she rode shotgun in his Cadillac.

He wasn't quite what she expected - he was better, she said after traveling to Omaha on Friday with 26 other University of Iowa MBA students to spend the day asking questions, eating lunch, and touring local businesses.

“I thought he would be a very formal, uptight businessman. But it was like sitting down with my grandpa.”

Lane, 26, a second-year MBA student from Johnsburg, Ill, said she the group had the opportunity to learn about the “old school” business tactics he follows, as well as more humorous antidotes - like learning that Bill Gates is a bad dancer, according to Buffett.

“I felt like I'd known him for years,” she said.

Justin Block, who has spent many years living all around the world meeting many people said Buffett was among one of his favorites.

“He loves what he does, and it's so evident,” said the 34-year-old second-year MBA student. “He is a really fun guy to be around. I was really blown away.”

Block said he was expecting a trip focused around solely economics, but instead he was pleasantly surprised to have the chance to hear numerous witty stories from Buffett about his life.

Lane said what struck her unique about Buffett was how he liked how always closed a business deal with a handshake, and believed that contracts shouldn't be more than 2 pages long - something she said was vastly different from what's typically seen today.

“He believes in making connections with people. I think his approach has been the way to his success,” she added.

Lane said the meeting was rather casual, and with Buffett speaking whatever came to mind, she said the entire experience is something she won't soon forget.

“It was the trip of a lifetime,” she said.