© Nathan Mandell Special K Revue shows why it’s “Still in Business” “Change and challenge” was the theme for this spring’s Special K Revue, the 23rd annual student-run spoof. As always, the irreverent song and dance and sketch comedy show delighted audiences during Reunion 2002 by providing a humorous look at the Kellogg culture and its students. Cellphones, teamwork, Fin-D, case studies, and a widget with an identity crisis (pictured) all figured prominently in the nearly 20 skits directed and performed by almost 30 Kellogg students. Dipak Jain’s first year as dean was celebrated in a number based on the song “Fame” by Irene Cara. “Jain!” was among the evening’s crowd-pleasing highlights, as were “Those Were the Days” and “(Not So) Easy Street,” which took nostalgic looks back at the salad days of the Internet boom in comparison to the leaner economic prospects of 2002. The performance closed with a touching tribute to longtime Special K friend, Associate Dean Ed Wilson. Wilson retired this year after three decades at Kellogg, during which time he made frequent Special K cameos.

Reunion Weekend ’02 continued a long tradition of excellence as Kellogg School alumni returned home to Evanston May 3-5. As is the case each year, Reunion afforded many opportunities for Kellogg alums to reconnect with one another while sharing their professional and personal accomplishments with their peers. And some 1,000 Kellogg grads, with their families and friends, did just that.

In addition to great class parties, the famous barbecue and Special K Revue’s inimitable brand of Kellogg-centric sketch comedy, Reunion offered alums a seminar organized by top Kellogg faculty and the Alumni Relations Department.

“The Future of Business” panel discussion provided alumni with insights on topics ranging from Enron to the Kellogg curriculum. The seminar took place in a packed Tribune Auditorium at the James L. Allen Center, where a number of Kellogg professors — including Philip Kotler, Sunil Chopra and Edward Zajac — addressed questions from alumni in a lively Q&A moderated by Associate Dean for Academic Affairs David Besanko that lasted two hours.

“Each department at Kellogg offered its perspective on major business issues, as well as on their research,” said Zajac, noting that alumni also expressed great interest in recent academic developments at Kellogg.

For Jim Corboy ’94, Reunion ’02 was his first as the Kellogg School’s new director of alumni relations. He said the past few months on the job have been a personal homecoming for him, so he could really appreciate the enthusiasm of the alumni during Reunion weekend.

“It’s great to be back at Kellogg,” said Corboy, a graduate of the Executive Master’s Program. “This is an extraordinary place filled with extraordinary people all following their passion. This spirit is part of what makes our alumni so special, and during Reunion we certainly saw many of them having a wonderful time reconnecting with the school and each other. We are looking forward to building on this tradition for next year.”

In fact, says Corboy, the Class of 2002 already has some 20 people who have committed to planning their Reunion ’03 activities. Led by Helena Cook and Laura Smith, the ’02 alumni want to set a new record for class attendance at Reunion next May. Corboy expressed his enthusiasm for what he calls this “unprecedented spirit” and said the Alumni Relations Office looks forward to partnering with all Kellogg grads as they build ever-greater value into this important annual event.

These photos reveal just some of the excitement Reunion ’02 brought to Evanston this year.