A world of thanks 

The Kellogg School recognizes exceptional alumni and friends at the 2008–2009 Kellogg Awards

Alumni and friends of the Kellogg School give back to the institution in countless ways. Whether they are sharing their expertise in the classroom, mentoring students or providing networking opportunities, their efforts are fundamental to the school's success.

Each year, the Kellogg School recognizes outstanding service to the school during the annual Kellogg Awards ceremony, hosted this year in the Grand Ballroom of Evanston's Hotel Orrington on April 30. More than 200 Kellogg alumni and friends convened to thank those who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to the school.

Schaffner Award
Established in 1984, the Schaffner Award honors preeminent alumni who have provided outstanding service to the Kellogg School.

Grant Gund '97 and Zachary Gund '00 are managing partners at Coppermine Capital, a Waltham, Mass.-based private investment firm that acquires small and mid-sized manufacturing and service companies.

Though the brothers' time at Kellogg did not overlap, they have said their common Kellogg experience provides a crucial foundation for their success. "There are so many lessons that we apply every day," Grant has said.

"Kellogg is not just a two-year experience," Zachary added. "It's good at fostering that family feeling, especially if you meet with your professors and get to know them and talk to them. You can have an ongoing relationship with the school."

The brothers have nurtured that relationship with a continued willingness to engage with the Kellogg School and its students, said Steven Rogers, the Gordon and Llura Gund Family Professor of Entrepreneurship.

"Kellogg students will call them, and they spend time advising those students," Rogers observed. "They come back and serve on panels and conferences. They hire Kellogg students as interns; they hire Kellogg alums to work for their firms. They are hardworking men who are also very humble."

Also honored with the Schaffner Award was Leland Pillsbury '82, the founder, co-chairman and CEO of the real-estate investment firm Thayer Lodging Group. He is also the co-founder and chairman of Internet marketing company TIG Global and co-founder and chairman of the marketing-representation firm EMC Venues.

Pillsbury has credited Kellogg with supplying the knowledge he needed to pursue his wide-ranging career. Since receiving an executive MBA degree in 1982, he has recruited a number of Kellogg graduates for internships and full-time positions.

"The faculty is the lifeblood of the school here," Pillsbury said. "Kellogg continues to set the bar for business education, and [Dean Dipak C. Jain's] vision of moving from success to significance has moved all of us."

Kellogg Alumni Service Award
The Kellogg Alumni Service Award recognizes graduates who have promoted Kellogg throughout the world and are dedicated to the continued progress of the Kellogg School and its community.

A former member of Spencer Stuart's financial officer practice, Virginia Clarke '84 spent 10 years in real-estate investment management with Jones Lang LaSalle and Prudential Real Estate Investors. She is the former president of the Kellogg Black Management Association and has been a frequent guest speaker at the association's conference. She visits the Kellogg School on a regular basis to participate in industry and alumni events.

Roxanne Hori, assistant dean and director of the Kellogg Career Management Center, presented the award to Clarke. "Even as a soon-to-be-minted MBA student, Ginny was very impressive," Hori said. "She impressed people with her intellect and style, and she continues to do that today."

Janet Froetscher '83 is the president and chief executive officer of the National Safety Council, a public advocacy group that helps prevent injuries in workplaces, homes and communities. From 2000-03, she was chief operating officer of the Aspen Institute; from 2003-08, she served as chief executive of the United Way of Metropolitan Chicago.

"We really want to produce graduates who can achieve this magical combination of intellectual depth and credibility and great values and ability to think beyond their own self interest," said David Besanko, senior associate dean and the Alvin J. Huss Professor of Management & Strategy. "Janet really embodies that sweet spot. She participates as a panelist and speaker; she mentors our students; she's really been a patriot of the Kellogg School."

Friends of the Kellogg School of Management Award
This award honors individuals who, though not graduates of Kellogg, have loyally served Kellogg over the years. These recipients have often served as partners in conferences, student programs, executive education and/or recruiting.

W. James Farrell is the retired chairman, president and chief executive officer of Illinois Tool Works Inc., a $16-billion manufacturing company based in Glenview, Ill. After joining the company in 1965, he also served as general manager and executive vice president.

Farrell met Kellogg Dean Dipak C. Jain and Dean Emeritus Donald P. Jacobs when he joined the Northwestern University board of directors, shortly after he became the CEO of Illinois Tool Works. Jain and Jacobs later asked Farrell to join the Kellogg School's advisory board, which he chaired for a number of years. Farrell is currently the lead volunteer for the school's fundraising efforts.

A lawyer with a degree from the University of Miami, Joel Ronkin AEP-103 originally joined Elizabeth Arden as the company's in-house legal counsel, but soon found he was interested in sales. After earning a Kellogg certificate, he was appointed executive vice president and general manager of Elizabeth Arden. Ronkin partnered with Kellogg faculty to develop an Elizabeth Arden case study that is used in the Advanced Executive Program.

"Joel attended Kellogg in 2003, and was promoted to executive vice president [at Elizabeth Arden] in 2004 — there is some correlation there," said Stephen Burnett, associate dean of executive education and professor of strategic management. "Since that time, Joel has helped us enormously in executive education at Kellogg. He has been our go-to guy."

Also presented: the Kellogg Alumni Club Award of Excellence to the Dallas/Fort Worth Alumni Club; and the Kellogg Alumni Club Volunteer of the Year Award to Kevin Bourke '05, president of the Alumni Club of Atlanta (see page 51).

In addition, 43 alumni and Kellogg friends were inducted into the Pete Henderson Society, which honors those who have helped make Kellogg a leader in management education. For a full list of inductees, please visit kellogg.northwestern.edu/News_Articles/2009/alumniawards.aspx.