From the
Dean
Dear Kellogg
School Alumni and Friends, "History
is the essence of innumerable biographies," wrote Thomas Carlyle,
expressing a sentiment that also applies to our school's own
journey over the last century. Truly, so many individuals
have lent their talents and enthusiasm to help build the modern
Kellogg School of Management, which began life in 1908 as
the School of Commerce at Northwestern University. To celebrate
them all - each student and every professor or staff member,
every friend who has ever contributed to our academic strengths
- obviously would prove impossible.
But as
we approach our centennial in 2008, we will indeed be sharing
some of this rich institutional narrative with you and telling
the stories of some of the people who have figured prominently
in advancing Kellogg. For instance, beginning on
page 16 in this edition of Kellogg World, we take
you behind the scenes for insights into two important moments
in the school's life.
As we
do, remember that your history and ours intermingle.
One of
the chief values of looking back is that doing so allows us
move forward more assuredly, having benefited from our collective
experiences. We have accomplished great things together, and
we must remain working together to enhance what we have created.
In this way, Kellogg grows increasingly vibrant, and our scholars,
alumni and friends can continue leveraging their knowledge
for the betterment of the larger community.
Fortunately,
we have an excellent foundation upon which to build.
Over
the last three decades, three mutually reinforcing initiatives
have been key to the Kellogg School's success: our student-centric
culture, our Executive Education program and our research-based
faculty. As the school's modern architect, Dean Emeritus Donald
Jacobs has proven central to bringing these strategies forward
with astonishing results.
Our student-centric
culture gave rise to the teamwork platform at Kellogg - a
major development in our ability to anticipate future market
changes. Through our Executive Education curriculum, we impressed
executives with the quality of the Kellogg offerings, and
hence with the quality of our full-time MBA graduates, creating
an immediate customer for those grads. The quality of teaching
in all our programs was a direct result of our investments
in research-based thought leadership. By hiring scholars who
applied academic rigor to business challenges, Kellogg became
known for creating valuable frameworks for problem solving.
These
three dimensions will continue serving as our strengths, but
we must build upon them to remain ahead of our peers.
Teamwork
will keep differentiating us, particularly in terms of engaging
alumni and friends worldwide so that we all can help shape
the school's future. We look to our graduates to support Kellogg
financially, as well as in a variety of meaningful ways that
strengthen the school's base. We enjoy a tremendously talented
alumni network whose generosity will play a critical role
in supporting the initiatives Kellogg is undertaking around
the world.
Indeed,
we are focusing our efforts globally. We continue to establish
Global Knowledge Centers in key strategic regions. I envision
unified Kellogg School programs that allow our students to
approach business education from an international perspective
and through a curriculum that is interchangeable, regardless
of whether students are conducting business in Chicago or
Hyderabad.
Importantly,
such global learning connects to our professors and how they
will continue as engines for thought leadership at Kellogg.
We intend for our faculty publications and case studies to
serve as sources of critical information to CEOs. Regardless
of industry, the crucial topics discussed in boardrooms should
be associated with the Kellogg classroom and professors, and,
by extension, with our students and alumni.
Looking
back over the development of Kellogg into a management leader,
we see much that fills us with satisfaction. Our innovative
spirit, however, compels us to look forward and never be content
with yesterday's successes. Like Henry Ford, we know that
the only history that truly matters is "the history we made
today."
We invite
each of you to join us in this journey forward, adding your
names to chapters in the Kellogg School story that we are
still writing.
Warmest
personal regards,
Dipak
C. Jain
Dean
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