Letter from the Dean

Dear Kellogg School Alumni and Friends,

Ideas, action and people — these are the heart of the Kellogg School experience. And it indeed is an experience: vibrant, dynamic, unlike any other.

In the century since Kellogg first began teaching managers how to use frameworks to solve real business problems, we have pioneered a unique and unparalleled leadership curriculum founded on collaboration, experiential learning, global perspectives and intellectual depth. We still combine theory and practice, but we go well beyond that, taking students out of their comfort zones and challenging them to dig deeper, in partnership with our extraordinary professors whose expertise has redefined their disciplines.

As a result, Kellogg students learn not only what happens, but how and why it happens too. And they get these insights by working together in diverse teams that prepare them to thrive in the modern global economy.

They also gain critical knowledge and leadership skills by putting their ideas to work — right away. At Kellogg, we offer hundreds of opportunities for students to test what they learn in the classroom. In fact, with some of our offerings, like Global Lab, M-Lab and Medical Innovations, the classroom itself is redefined, becoming the testbed for breakthrough insights that can have an immediate impact.

Really, though, action learning is suffused throughout the very culture of Kellogg, in our curriculum and in the desire of our faculty and students to take big steps, tackle big problems, expand the limits of what management education must be in our world. Whether winning case competitions against other top schools, producing conferences that bring senior leaders to campus to create and share knowledge, or driving innovation to combat HIV/AIDS, Kellogg students are eager to make a difference.  And we give them the tools to do that.

This edition of Kellogg World highlights some of the ways that experiential learning makes Kellogg and its students unique. You will also see that alumni play a role in keeping our curriculum dynamic, rigorous and relevant. They contribute insights or philanthropy to initiatives like our Asset Management Practicum, enrich our Global Initiatives in Management classes, mentor students, and help Kellogg recruit the best and the brightest. In these and many other ways, alumni remain key to our success. You will meet a few of those exemplary graduates and friends in 'Leading lights' celebrated at Kellogg Awards, where we highlight this year's Kellogg Award recipients, but we believe each of us can lend an effort to make Kellogg even stronger, with exciting results that benefit all our constituents.

In fact, we have long seen the power of what we can do together. Kellogg and its community of students, scholars, alumni and staff have distinguished themselves over the last hundred years. This year, beginning in October, we celebrate our Centennial. We invite you to explore the Kellogg School's history and achievements online at centennial.kellogg.northwestern.edu, and to remember that you are part of our success — part of our past, present and, with your continued support, our very bright future.

Warmest personal regards,

Dipak C. Jain