DPU business school launch set

DePauw University has announced the official launch of its School of Business and Leadership.

The occasion will be celebrated over two days, Oct. 4-5, as DePauw underscores its pursuit of academic excellence and leadership development. Scheduled events include a distinguished panel lecture and a ribbon-cutting dedication ceremony.

DePauw is the only Top 50 liberal arts university in the Midwest -- and one of only four in the nation -- with a business school. Students in the School of Business and Leadership will explore decision-making and problem-solving individually and in groups, drawing on a liberal arts foundation of data analysis, ethical inquiry, global awareness and clear-thinking communication.

Within the School of Business and Leadership, students will develop and apply skills through coursework, case studies and independent research. That work is fortified by DePauw’s longstanding tradition of providing opportunities for leadership, internships, alumni connections and mentorship and magnified by School of Business and Leadership connections to the Sanger Leadership Initiative, the Prindle Institute for Ethics and McDermond Center for Management and Entrepreneurship, resources available to every DePauw student.

DePauw will host a School of Business and Leadership Launch Lecture, slated for Wednesday, Oct. 4, titled “Leadership, Philanthropy and the Liberal Arts.” Distinguished industry leaders, Steve Sanger, a 1968 DPU graduate and former chairman and chief executive officer of General Mills and Jeff Ubben, co-founder and chairman of ValueAct Capital, will share insights and perspectives on philanthropy, business and leadership. Serving as moderator for the event will be Jon Fortt, a 1998 graduate and co-anchor of CNBC’s Closing Bell Overtime, Working Lunch and his own Fortt Knox program.

The School of Business and Leadership launch and School of Business ribbon-cutting and dedication and tours include a Wednesday, Oct. 4 reception at 6 p.m. and a 7 p.m. lecture on Leadership, Philanthropy and the Liberal Arts venue in the Green Center for the Performing Arts.

Meanwhile, the Harrison Hall Dedication Ceremony will symbolize the official launch of the School of Business and Leadership and the opening of Harrison Hall after extensive restoration. The Thursday, Oct. 5 ceremony is scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m., followed by a reception with light refreshments and guided tours of newly renovated Harrison Hall. All are welcome.

“For nearly two centuries, a DePauw education with its focus on critical thinking, deep inquiry, ethics and leadership development has graduated leaders in a range of fields who have served as founders and CEOs of profit and non-profit organizations,” DePauw President Dr. Lori S. White said. “As we officially launch our new School of Business and Leadership, we continue and formalize this rich tradition and our commitment to creating leaders the world needs.

“In many larger business schools – students have to wait several years to be admitted to the school of business. At DePauw – all students regardless of major have access to classes in the School of Business and Leadership. This allows many students to get off to a running start versus other institutions – positioning themselves ahead of peers at other institutions as employers increasingly target students much earlier in their academic careers.”

Ken Coquillette, partner in Goldman Sachs & Co., and co-chairman of the School of Business and Leadership Steering Committee, said DePauw alumni are “remarkably engaged” as internship hosts, mentors, guest lecturers and employers.

“The support from this group is palpable to our students and is challenging for other schools to replicate,” Coquillette added. “Our talented faculty care deeply for our students, teach them to think broadly and laterally, and do so in a class size where all students are able to have constructive, interactive relationships with faculty members.

“When you step back and look at what is taking place at DePauw – the three-school model to include the School of Business and Leadership, the changes to the physical plant (Roy O. and Harrison), the curricular changes that are being made while staying true to our liberal arts roots – arguably at a very challenging time for higher education in terms of admissions, financial performance and demographic shifts – it underscores the importance of and our confidence in the Bold and Gold 2027 strategic plan,” he added. “None of this would be possible without the leadership and vision of Dr. Lori White and as an alumni, trustee, and parent I can confidently say that the changes we are making are critical to our long-term success. DePauw is a remarkable institution that has always been an incubator for leadership. Our graduates go on to achieve tremendous success in a variety of endeavors and remain very generous in acknowledging the role that four years in Greencastle played as a foundation. I know I do and I encourage all alumni to be supportive

in any manner possible – refer a student, host an intern, hire a DePauw grad, come back to campus to connect with

students and faculty, and take a moment to reflect on what DePauw made possible for you.”

Phyllis Barkman Ferrell of Eli Lilly and member of the School of Business and Leadership Steering Committee, said “the deeply ingrained values of a liberal arts education that will set apart the DePauw School of Business and Leadership.”

“This educational model develops critical thinkers and great communicators that can thrive and succeed in our rapidly changing world.”

“The Management Fellows Program has long been a standout opportunity for DePauw students,” she added, “but its structure has made it difficult for all students to benefit. The School of Business and Leadership leverages and builds on the Management Fellows concept in a scalable manner, without walking away from the high-touch of the McDermond Management Center.

“The decision to attend DePauw was life-changing and one of my best. I welcome anyone with a heart for service, a head for business, and a passion to make a meaningful impact on the world to become a Tiger!”

John Clarke, dean of the new School of Business and Leadership, said it “is unique as a business school in that its central focus is developing educational opportunities for every student at DePauw regardless of major or academic interest.”

“There are no end of chapter questions once students graduate from college,” Clarke added. “We prepare graduates for the rapidly changing and ambiguous world -- students who need little acculturation and are able to develop and evaluate multiple solutions to complex problems.”

The School of Business and Leadership strategies include Civic Engagement and Service Learning – creating responsible citizens ready for lives of purpose, Clarke noted.

“Sustainability – helping students balance our needs with those of future generations. Ethics – creating individuals who behave and make decisions according to their principles and values. Entrepreneurship – individuals who see problems as opportunities and can develop solutions that create and capture value. Information Literacy – developing research, critical thinking, problem solving and communication skills that ready our students for the future. And Leadership – developing principled, inclusive, self-aware, leaders – leaders the world needs – leadership is not only a strategy but also runs across and links the other five strategies.

“The School of Business and Leadership provides DePauw students with a framework to address the career-related outcomes of their curricular and cocurricular experiences regardless of their field of study or career aspirations,” Clarke added. “Students from non-business disciplines are excited to understand how their interests, values, motivators, passions, talents and skills can provide insight into future careers.

“The School of Business and Leadership strengthens DePauw’s business programs which allow students to create a personalized pathway as they explore the rich and diverse academic programs, collaborate with faculty and students from across the campus, while they develop a comprehensive understanding of business and master high-demand career skills. Students from across the campus are excited to hear that the SBL is open to all and that its programs are designed for all students regardless of major.”