A Message to Alumni

from Dean's Desk, Alumni E-Newsletter
November 21, 2003

Dear Yale SOM Graduates,

On September 19th and 20th we celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the Charter Class of 1978 in a memorable two-day gathering of classmates, faculty, and distinguished guests, which included the founding Dean of Yale School of Management (and current Chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission), Bill Donaldson, and Richard C. Levin, President of Yale University.

By all accounts, the reunion weekend was an enormous success. The turnout was tremendous. Nearly 80% of the class, and many ‘charter’ faculty and staff, returned to New Haven -- and to the opportunity to re-experience together that special time when they all were actively involved in forging the vision which remains at the heart of the school today.

One of the most poignant moments of the weekend came when the Charter Class announced its intention to endow The Memorial Loan Forgiveness Fund in memory of classmates Jeffrey McNally and Donald Olgivie. Once fully funded, this new endowment will lend critical support to the school’s current Loan Forgiveness Program which was launched in 1986 to enable graduates to pursue career opportunities in lower paying public and nonprofit jobs without the burden of repaying financial debt incurred during their education.

As many of you know, the Yale School of Management was the first business school in the country to offer this kind of financial assistance. The Class of 1978 enthusiastically embraced the idea for this gift because it so clearly focuses on the spirit and values of the school and its mission to educate leaders for business and society, and because it provides a fitting and lasting tribute to Jeff and Don, both of whom were committed to the nonprofit and public sectors.

Many of those who came and participated in the reunion also expressed a willingness to connect with the current generation of students. Toward that end, and in an effort to share some of their “professional” life lessons, members of the Charter Class, along with Professor Garry Brewer and current students on the school’s Professional Code Task Force, are organizing a conference at the end of January entitled “Professionalism: Linking The Generations.” This promises to be a very dynamic exchange as alumni and students examine together critical professional and ethical issues which are just as relevant today as they were 25 years ago. You will hear more about this in the next e-newsletter.

Until then, warm wishes for a wonderful holiday season,

Jeffrey E. Garten, Dean