Dipak C. Jain, the Sandy and Morton Goldman Professor of Entrepreneurial Studies, addresses guests at the Oct. 10 Centennial Gala.  Photo © Nathan Mandell

Letter from the Dean

Dear Kellogg School Alumni and Friends,

We share in celebrating a great milestone.

A century ago, Northwestern University launched a part-time evening business program in Chicago's Loop. The city was the nation's entrepreneurial center, a multicultural place filled with optimism and hardscrabble spirit that created many opportunities for economic advancement. And our school, one of the very first of its kind, was right in the middle of this dynamic landscape, driving innovation and excellence.

By applying scientific frameworks to business challenges, Northwestern developed a pathbreaking curriculum. This was especially the case in marketing, a discipline that Kellogg helped to create, but equally true across a range of areas. In the words of our first dean, Willard Hotchkiss, the goal was to provide an opportunity for "capable and ambitious employees to pursue business subjects from the point of view of foundation principles."

The ideas, and ideals, of the school's early visionaries, and their partners from the business community, gave rise to an institution that has become one of the world's finest. Since 1908, Kellogg has initiated critical discourse, strengthened managerial skill and produced leaders in all areas of public and commercial life. Our 100th birthday is testament to the enduring value created by generations who have contributed to and benefited from the school's culture and knowledge.

Today's market challenges make it clear that, now more than ever, the leadership training that Kellogg offers is crucial.  

As we begin the next part of our journey, Kellogg remains synonymous with academic distinction. This is reflected in our culture and curriculum, which goes from strength to strength. In fields as diverse as marketing, finance, and strategy (to name a few), Kellogg faculty and students are working to develop the intellectual models that meet the leadership challenges of today and tomorrow. In this edition, we highlight some of the school's academic accomplishments and show why Kellogg will keep making the discoveries that create value for every kind of organization.

We celebrated these achievements recently, both with a global ad campaign that appeared in top media outlets and with our Centennial Gala, when hundreds of our most enthusiastic supporters gathered to reflect on what makes Kellogg unique. The event was wonderful, and we owe special thanks to Chris Kennedy '94, Gala chairman. (See the story "A Century of Excellence") That evening we recalled the Kellogg School's past, but, importantly, I also shared my view for where Kellogg should go next as it continues to define excellence in management education.

We will keep focusing on leadership, teamwork and global perspectives, since the complexities of business will demand more from those who lead organizations. Yet we want to think "beyond" business, too, and produce graduates who channel their leadership in ways that offer broad social benefit. To that end, Kellogg will continue integrating social responsibility into the curriculum, as I truly believe that this component should become the "DNA" of management education in the 21st century. Whether the problem is poverty, hunger, pollution or other hurdles, Kellogg graduates, with their unique analytical and people skills, will be ready to step forward and solve the pressing issues of our time.

Together, we are engaged in great and important work, and we've been doing it for 100 years. From here, we go on to new heights. With your support, I truly believe our best days are ahead of us.

Warmest personal regards,

P.S. We look forward to seeing you at our special academic and social events throughout our yearlong Centennial. For details about our global celebration, visit centennial.kellogg.northwestern.edu.