Home > Update > March 2008

From the Dean

I remember when I was thinking about the challenges and opportunities
that I would face as a new dean six years ago. Many things were uncertain. One Wisconsin memory that was always etched in my mind was the sea of red in the stadium when Wisconsin took on UCLA in the 1994 Rose Bowl game. It was clear that Wisconsin fans outnumbered hometown UCLA fans by a wide margin. If that passion and energy for supporting Badger athletics could some how be translated to our educational mission, the possibilities seemed endless.

Thirteen alumni demonstrated that passion and energy for our mission by making the Wisconsin Naming Gift possible. Their selflessness and commitment is truly inspiring. Each partner made a minimum unrestricted gift of $5 million. I know not one of them took that decision lightly and for me, that makes their gift even more meaningful. Each partner took a careful look at the school and concluded that it was a great investment opportunity.

Our job now is to invest our resources wisely.

The partners considered our strategy and they considered recent investments made by those who know our programs best – our students. Several of the naming gift partners indicated they joined the partnership because they were impressed by our students’ dedication to the school. Our undergraduate business student leaders voted last year to support a differential tuition, adding $1,000 to their cost of tuition each year. At the same time, 99 percent of our graduating MBA students made a gift at commencement.

The Wisconsin passion doesn’t end there. The Wisconsin naming gift, by design, reminds us that the school belongs to all of us. Following the naming gift announcement, we launched a matching campaign to encourage all alumni to join our effort. We set an ambitious goal and with only two months remaining in 2007, called on many of you around the world to help us spread the word. Once again, alumni showed their enthusiasm and support by giving to the annual fund. Many committed to making annual gifts every year.

Faculty and staff within the school recognize and appreciate the magnitude and importance of the support from our alumni and students.

Our job now is to invest our resources wisely. By attracting and retaining the right people and by investing in programs with the greatest impact, we will ensure Wisconsin School of Business students enjoy a transformational experience and will be well prepared to lead the businesses of the future. By doing so, we hope to continue to earn your support in the years ahead.

I hope you share my pride and enthusiasm for what we have achieved together. The leadership, innovation and teamwork implicit in our unique naming gift is a reflection of the qualities that I see in our alumni. Your collective support ensures that we will be able to continue to produce graduates who bring these invaluable qualities to the workplace and to society.

On Wisconsin,

Michael Knetter
Dean