Kellogg thanks its distinguished supporters at annual Alumni Awards and looks to continue valuable collaborations

By Matt Golosinski

"We are better than we think, not quite what we want to be."

The words of poet Nikki Giovanni served as a touchstone for David Spitulnik '80, the recipient of the 2007 Kellogg Alumni Service Award, in his May 3 remarks at the Kellogg School's Alumni Awards dinner.

Spitulnik, vice president of business development at Reef Point Systems, was among five honorees whose support was recognized during the annual event held at the James L. Allen Center. He emphasized the importance of remaining "focused on what is truly important," which for him included his family and giving back to institutions such as the Kellogg School.

A major fundraiser for his class' 25th Reunion, Spitulnik also advocated mentoring students and working with Kellogg administrators to enhance the school.

Other distinguished alumni and friends receiving awards were Clare Munaña '89, president of Ancora Associates Inc., a Chicago-based management consultancy; Robert P. Wayman '69, retired executive vice president and chief financial officer at Hewlett-Packard; Marshall M. Bouton, president of The Chicago Council on Global Affairs, an independent, nonpartisan organization that strives to advance discussion on global issues; and Ellis M. Goodman, chairman of Allied District Properties, an owner and developer of shopping centers and other real estate investments.

"It's easy for those of us with formal connections to Kellogg to feel passionate about the school," said Dr. Jeffrey Vender '98, chair of the Kellogg Alumni Advisory Board, indicating that two of the awards — the Schaffner Award and the Kellogg Alumni Service Award — recognize Kellogg graduates. But it is a sign of institutional strength, he said, when others also share this passion.

This year, those people were Bouton and Goodman, recipients of the Friends of Kellogg School of Management Awards, an honor bestowed on non-alumni whose efforts have helped build the school's success. Muñana and Wayman, meanwhile, were honored with Schaffner Awards, which recognize prominent Kellogg alumni who have provided outstanding service to the school.

Wayman enjoyed a 37-year career at Hewlett-Packard, moving through the ranks from cost accountant to chief financial officer. He praised Kellogg for helping him understand the value of teamwork, a skill that complemented his engineering training as a Northwestern undergraduate.

In introducing Muñana, Liz Livingston Howard '93, associate director of the Kellogg Center for Nonprofit Management, said she "truly embodies our vision of a socially responsible global leader." Howard cited the range of Muñana's service, including as vice president of the Board of Education for Chicago, trustee of The Aspen Institute, and board member of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, where Bouton is president.

Bouton noted how Kellogg had "extended friendship to me as a brand-new Chicagoan in 2001," when he arrived after 20 years at the Asia Society in New York, most recently as its chief operating officer. A political scientist, Bouton has frequently commentated on South Asian affairs and served as special assistant to the U.S. ambassador to India. In 2003, he collaborated with Kellogg on the inaugural World Trade Summit in Chicago.

This year's final honoree, Ellis Goodman, retired chairman of Barton Inc., had the "vision and tenacity" to create a relationship between Kellogg and the United Kingdom, said Associate Dean of Executive Education Stephen Burnett. For the last 15 years, the U.K.-born Goodman has overseen the U.S. Marketing Scholarship Programme, an initiative he began that brings 20 British executives to Kellogg each year for a week of management education followed by hands-on training at a noted U.S. company.

Kellogg Dean Dipak C. Jain lauded the award winners — pictured on the following pages — for their support. He looked to continue the relationship with the school's alumni and friends, saying "excellence has no bounds" and that together this team could lead Kellogg to many more accomplishments.

Photos © Nathan Mandell