Mar 28, 2024  
Graduate Record 2015-2016 
    
Graduate Record 2015-2016 [ARCHIVED RECORD]

Darden Graduate School of Business Administration: Information


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Affinity Clubs

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Asia Business Club at Darden (ABCD) increases awareness within Darden about Asia, and increases awareness about Darden within Asia. The club organizes and supports the following activities: cultural and academic activities; recruitment and professional activities; admissions activities. The club communicates and supports relevant initiatives of related committees and organizations within Darden, such as the International Business Society and the International Advisory Board.

Black Business Student Forum (BBSF) is organized and focused on bringing together the past, present, and future Darden African-American communities. For that pursuit, BBSF develops programs that promote academic excellence, provide safe environments for the discussion of issues around race, support professional development, offer a forum for social activities and participate in community service activities.

Darden Christian Fellowship (DCF) is a non-denominational fellowship group seeking to encourage and strengthen the faith of Christian students, faculty, and staff.

Darden African Business Organization (DABO) has a primary goal of contributing to the learning environment, diversity, and global leadership initiative at Darden by providing students and faculty an opportunity to learn more about African businesses, economics, cultures, and politics..

Darden Jewish Student Association (DJSA) serves to further awareness of Jewish Culture, tradition and history within the Darden community through educational and social avenues. The DJSA cultivates and supports a friendly community for students to congregate, converse, and network. As a social organization, membership is open to all students, not just those who practice a religious faith. Social activities are planned for both club members and Darden as a whole.

Darden Latter-Day Saint Student Association (LDSSA) is a club to help members of the Darden community (students, faculty and families) maintain balance between their professional, personal and spiritual lives and live consistently with the teachings of Jesus Christ. Darden LDSSA exists to represent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS or Mormons) within the Darden community. The club will be a resource to applicants, students and alumni interested in the LDS environment at the Darden School of Business. Darden LDSSA membership is open to all students, not just those who practice the LDS faith. Social activities are planned for both club members and Darden as a whole.

Darden Military Association (DMA) assists First Year students in making the transition from the military to the private sector, performs volunteer community service in Charlottesville, builds esprit de corps and camaraderie within the Darden community, and hosts lively leisure events.

Darden Partners Association (DPA) is an inclusive community for spouses, families and significant others of Darden Students. The DPA connects Partners to each other, Darden and the Charlottesville community.

Darden South Asian Society (DSAS) brings together members of the Darden community who are interested in business and cultural aspects of the South Asian geographical region. The club organizes seminars, speaker series, panels, recruiting events, cultural and sporting events distinctive to this region.

European Society has the mission of promoting awareness of Darden in Europe and appreciation of European culture, business and political affairs in the Darden community. It focuses on improving relationships between Europeans and students/alumni from all over the world.

Pride at Darden (Formerly GLAD) helps to create an environment in which gay, lesbian, and bisexual members of the Darden community are comfortable being open about their sexual orientation.

Graduate Women in Business (GWIB) Promotes the role of professional women by providing opportunities for women to express their role in today’s society and by establishing alumnae networking that lasts a lifetime. Provides a forum to discuss the issues and challenges women face in their careers and other activities that build awareness of women in leadership positions; allows both female and male students, who are interested in promoting the role of professional women, to share experiences, find support and develop constructive plans for action.

Hispanic American Network at Darden (HAND) represents the interests of Hispanic American students; creates awareness and promotes Darden to prospective Hispanic American MBA candidates; creates, maintains, and strengthens ties with Hispanic American Darden alumni; supports career development opportunities for its membership; and partners with the Darden community to promote a forum for exploration of diversity within the Darden, University of Virginia, and Charlottesville communities and businesses at large.

International Business Society (IBS) promotes the internationalization of business at the Darden Graduate School of Business Administration and the University of Virginia. Serves as a forum for students who are interested in international business ventures. It sponsors programs that support academic diversity, enhances professional opportunities for its membership, maintains ties with international alumni, promotes Darden to prospective students and offers cultural events to the entire Darden and University communities. IBS also includes the Global Speaker Forum which is an opportunity for Darden students to share their respective countries’ heritage, traditions, culture, food, etc. in a one hour presentation. These presentations are open to Darden students, faculty, and administration.

Latin American Student Association (LASA) is one the most active student-run organizations at Darden and its main purpose is to provide Latin American students and students interested in Latin American cultures with a forum to pursue cultural, professional, and social opportunities by maintaining and strengthening ties with Latin American alumni and by supporting career development opportunities for its members. LASA acts as an academic, professional, and social resource; promoting and supporting the efforts of the Darden Community to increase diversity in the curriculum, faculty, and student body. LASA’s efforts are aimed not only at increasing Latin American awareness in Darden but also at increasing Darden awareness in Latin America.

Middle Eastern and Islamic Student Association (MEISA) will help promote awareness and understanding about Middle Eastern and Islamic culture, particularly related to doing business with people from or in those communities, and work to increase the community at Darden through recruitment efforts in cooperation with admissions. MEISA will do this by holding social and cultural events for both members and non-members and by locating additional opportunities for Darden students to learn about this increasingly important region, culture, and religion.


Batten Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

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The Batten Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation was established in 2000 through the visionary support of Frank Batten, Sr. (Col ‘50), former chairman and CEO of Landmark Communications and co-founder of the Weather Channel, along with his children, Frank Batten, Jr. (MBA ‘84) and Dorothy Neal Batten (MBA ‘90). Previously known as the Batten Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, the Batten Institute has been charged with a mandate to support Darden as a preeminent educator and thought leader of entrepreneurship and innovation. To fulfill this mission the Batten Institute provides three main areas of support:

Inspired Education. The Batten Institute’s Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership supports a rich, experience-based approach to entrepreneurship and innovation, through a broad array of classroom and experiential opportunities for students. This includes a forward-thinking entrepreneurship concentration, an i.Lab and business incubator, full-time internships, competitions, boot camps, mentorship programs, over $1 million in MBA scholarships, and a university-wide entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Transformative Research. The Batten Institute’s Center for Entrepreneurial Studies advances knowledge in entrepreneurship and innovation through a diverse portfolio of research projects of consequence to business and society. Major initiatives include the Batten Research Grants program, which provides direct financial support to scholars, and the prestigious Batten Fellows program, which funds research by leading scholars and business thinkers worldwide. The Institute’s team of staff researchers also support faculty research, co-author books, develop cases, write journal and general interest articles, and contribute to the Institute’s regular series of Batten Briefings.
Energized Community. The Batten Institute fosters a diverse and collaborative community of scholars, students, alumni and practitioners around entrepreneurship and innovation. Major initiatives include the e-Conference, the Jefferson Innovation Summit, the Innovators Roundtable, and the Darden-Cambridge Judge Entrepreneurship and Innovation Research Conference. Batten-supported forums, such as Design@Darden and the Society for Effectual Action, are global communities built around Darden’s thought leadership in effectuation and design thinking.

Today Darden has become widely recognized for offering one of the very best entrepreneurial learning experiences in the world. Over the past four years the Darden School of Business has been ranked consistently among the top-ten entrepreneurship programs, earning a #5 ranking overall (2014) and a #1 ranking for faculty from Princeton Review/Entrepreneur Magazine (2008, 2009, 2011).


Career Club Groups

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The Adam Smith Society is a community of business school students and alumni dedicated to exploring the links among the economy, government, and society. The Society believes that business, entrepreneurship, and commerce are wellsprings that keep this country vibrant, creative, prosperous, and free. Through debate and discussion, the Society aims to advance this idea on campus and among business leaders.

Business & Public Policy (B&PP) has the unique mission of promotinge cross-curricular education and discourse at the intersection of business and policy. The club works to engage in action-oriented discourse to cultivate a collaborative mindset and establish mutual responsibility for the societal effects of business and policy decisions. B&PP works to highlight professional opportunities among future policy and business leaders.

Community Consultants of Darden (CCoD) provides outstanding consulting service to small businesses and non-profits in the Charlottesville community; enables students to apply classroom instruction to real-world situations; offers experience in a variety of functional areas including operations, finance, marketing, business development/strategy, and consulting; and builds students management and leadership expertise.

Consulting Club has as its primary goal informing the Darden Community about the opportunities available in the consulting industry and then providing interested students with the resources and assistance necessary to fulfill these opportunities.

Darden Business Innovation and Design Club (DBIDC) exists to foster a community around, promote the ideals of, and encourage career paths that incorporate design methodologies in leading organizations, solving business challenges, and facilitating innovation.

Darden Capital Management (DCM) is a student-run club focused on promoting the interest and experience of its members in the investment management industry. One of the main responsibilities of the Club is managing the Darden Fund, Jefferson Fund, Cavalier Fund, Rotunda Fund, and Monticello Fund. The five Funds have approximately $7.5 million in assets and are part of the school’s endowment.

Darden Impact Ventures (DIV) is a student-run venture fund that partners with and supports innovative for-profit enterprises focused on generating financial and social or environmental returns.

Darden Private Equity Club (DPEC) seeks to build and develop a network of Darden students and alumni with common interest in private equity investing ranging from angel stage and venture capital to leveraged buyouts and turnaround situations, and to provide career training for students and continuing education for active alumni investors.

Darden Technology Club (DTC) is dedicated to connecting members to opportunities at tech companies, providing industry knowledge from thought-leaders, and offering hands-on skills training that is both approachable and relevant.

Education Club works to raise awareness of Education issues among future business leaders; present career pathways for business students interested in Education; and promote cross curricular opportunities with the Curry School of Education (Cross listed curriculum or even a Joint Masters Degree) As business leaders, citizens, and current or future parents, we are in a position to drive change in Education.

Energy Club assists students in gathering information about and facilitating employment in energy-related companies.

Entrepreneurial and Venture Capital Club (EVC) is Darden’s forum for sharing and gaining ideas about starting and building new ventures. The club provides an opportunity to meet successful entrepreneurs, sponsors educational lectures on the many facets of starting a business, helps students formulate business plans for the spring Business Plan Competition, and assists students in career searches.

Finance Club works to increase the visibility and understanding of various careers in Finance including investment banking, commercial banking, finance positions in corporations, money management and financial consulting; helps members to find jobs in various areas of Finance; increases members professional knowledge; and fosters friendship among the Finance Club, particularly First Years and Second Years, and with members of other clubs at Darden.

General Management & Operations Club (GMO) is the largest career-oriented organization at Darden. The GMO Club is committed to bridging the gap between the classroom and the job market. Club members gain access to a large group of students who work in a diverse set of industries, countries and career tracks. The club will help students decide which direction to take as they navigate the complexities of their career search.

Health Care Club (HCC) is dedicated to patients by promoting awareness of issues and opportunities in health related fields. HCC achieves its mission by closely partnering with both academia and industry to sponsor education and speaker programs focused on all aspects of the health care industry, provide information about career opportunities in health care, and join with communities and patients in supporting health-related causes.

J.D./M.B.A Society serves as a focal point for communication between MBA-J.D. students and the Law and Business School administrations, faculty, student body, alumni, and prospective students. It promotes the exchange of information and advice among MBA-J.D.s, improves the functioning of the program, lobbies on behalf of MBA-J.D. students, and sponsors events and activities which promote interaction among the law and business school communities.

Marketing Club establishes a strong marketing reputation for Darden within academic and professional circles, provides a forum in which to educate and enhance their understanding of marketing issues, assists club members in discovering and exploring diverse marketing employment opportunities, and stimulates interaction among students, companies, and faculty to enhance participation in marketing and community relationships.

Media, Entertainment, and Sports Club (MES) seeks to increase the awareness of Darden within these industries while also encouraging employment opportunities.

Net Impact at Darden strives to inspire, educate, and equip individuals to use the power of business to create a more socially and environmentally sustainable world. Net Impact members share a passion for corporate responsibility, social enterprises, nonprofit management, community and international development, and environmental sustainability. Net Impact at Darden is part of a global network with more than 240 chapters on six continents and thousands of student and professional members.

Real Estate Club strives to enhance students’ understanding of the real estate industry, build and strengthen Darden’s relationships with real estate firms, and provide guidance to its members in their search of careers within the field. As an end goal, the Real Estate Club is focused on furthering the Darden brand while further solidifying Darden’s reputable presence in the real estate community.

Retail & Luxury Goods Club (R&LG) increases awareness and interest in the retail, consumer products and luxury goods industries among Darden students, and to increase Darden’s presence in these industries. The R&LG Club is the hub for retail alumni networking and strives to connect Darden students with their desired companies for summer and full-time positions. Students in the R&LG club will attend a career trek to New York City, join the First Year/Second Year career mentor program (RLG specific), attend educational workshops on retail and the non-traditional recruiting process and receive up-to-date information on industry news, industry conferences, and industry specific job opportunities.

Turnaround and Restructuring Club (TRC) pragmatically dovetails the school’s strong finance, consulting, general management and leadership development curriculum with a natural industry fit. The club’s charter is to foster financial and operational restructuring careers by providing both a knowledge and skills development program coupled with professional networking and employment opportunities.


Darden Center for Global Initiatives

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The mission of the Center for Global Initiatives (CGI) is to enhance global education at Darden and to expand the Darden School’s visibility and influence around the world. The Center accomplishes this by enhancing Darden’s relationships and alliances with select top-rated business schools from around the world including in India, Spain, the United Kingdom, Argentina, Mexico, Australia, Belgium, China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Sweden; establishing and nurturing contacts with corporations and governments around the world; strengthening MBA student recruitment and placement globally; fostering faculty and student cultural exposure abroad through formal exchange programs, Global Business Experience courses, and visitors; supporting research with global content and/or with implications for international business practice and education; and communicating Darden’s global activities to the Darden community and to external audiences and constituencies.

CGI supports a range of curricular and co-curricular activities aimed at strengthening students’ global exposure and experience, including:

  • Exchange: Each year second year Darden students have the opportunity to study abroad at one of our partner schools; we also welcome students from those schools to Darden.
  • Global Business Experiences: One-two week courses led by Darden faculty in countries around the world focused on developing insight and knowledge of business cultures and markets outside the United States.
  • Student clubs: CGI funds student club activity that enriches the international experience at Darden, such as the International Food Festival, conferences, and International Case Competition.

CGI also supports the School’s global networks, partnerships and engagement with important constituencies around the world by building and maintaining relationships with top business schools around the world to facilitate exchange agreements, support for student programming, faculty and research exchange and other collaborative activities; hosting one-week programs at Darden for MBA and EMBA students from partner schools; and hosting senior leaders from business schools and corporations around the world to Darden for guest lectures, meetings with Darden faculty and administration, and discussions of areas of potential partnership.

History The Center for Global Initiatives is supported by the W. Tayloe Murphy endowment, which was established in 1962 with a $1,000,000 gift from an anonymous donor. The gift honored prominent banker and legislator W. Tayloe Murphy in “recognition and appreciation of his unfaltering support of the Graduate School of Business Administration.”


Darden Student Life

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Outreach Clubs

Building Goodness in April of Charlottesville (BGiA) is part of a national organization dedicated to keeping low-income, elderly, and disabled homeowners living in warmth, safety, independence, dignity, and decency through home repair and rehabilitation volunteer services. Each year, the group repairs and rehabilitates 12-14 homes during a one-day event.

Community Consultants of Darden (CCoD) provides outstanding consulting services to small business and non-profits in the Charlottesville community; enables students to apply classroom instruction to real-world situations; offers experience in a variety of functional areas including operations, finance, marketing, business development/strategy, and consulting; builds students’ management and leadership expertise.

Toastmaster is a club whose mission is to support members as they craft stories and hone communication skills needed to become future business leaders. Events focus on providing a forum to practice recruiting skills, preparing members for the Darden classroom dynamic, and creating a fun, supportive environment to practice verbal communication.

Social Clubs

Cold Call Chorus is an Acappella singing group, celebrating the Darden culture through music and comedy. It is committed to providing high-quality entertainment for Darden and the community as well as to improving the musical abilities of its members.

Darden Music Club will enrich the Darden community with musical arts and bonding opportunities while helping its members develop their musical abilities, well-rounded minds and self-confidence.

Outdoors Club provides members with opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and develop friendships in a non-academic environment. Activities include hiking, biking, spelunking, rock climbing, sailing, skiing, fly fishing, and white water rafting.

Photography Club is a place where photographers of all skill levels can interact, improve their craft and share their art through various club sponsored activities.

Wine and Cuisine Club (WACC) seeks to educate members about a broad range of cuisine and beverages including beer, wine, and spirits. They help to facilitate the responsible enjoyment of food and drink through socially and culturally engaging events. Finally, they look to promote industry interaction and career development within these targeted areas.

Student Government

Darden Student Association (DSA) is a group of 15 students, elected by their classmates as a representative body, who advocate on behalf of clubs and individuals representing the interests, concerns, and desires of the student body. The Darden Student Association President, Executive Vice President, Vice President Finance, Vice President Honor, Vice President Diversity, Vice President International, Vice President Athletics, Vice President Outreach, Vice President Technology, Vice President Social, Vice President Career, and Student Council Representative, comprise the DSA Executive Team. In this role, they serve on the boards of various Darden (faculty and student) and University of Virginia committees and organizations, representing the interests, concerns, and desires of MBA students. Additional DSA representatives include representatives to the University Honor Committee and the University Judiciary Committee. All students registered for courses at Darden are members of the DSA.

DSA-Appointed Committees:

  • First Week Orientation Committee is responsible for the social aspects of orientation, team building for the learning teams, as well as encouraging early faculty-student interactions.
  • Social Committee is responsible for hosting and coordinating a variety of non-academic social activities throughout the year. The committee is comprised of representatives of both the first and second year class.
  • Graduation Committee plans and executes events relating to graduation, including selection of the class speakers and faculty marshals.
  • Health Insurance Committee represents the insurance needs and interests of Darden students to the University-wide Student Health Insurance Committee (SHIC).
  • FY/SY Peer Committee designs programming to help foster relationships between students. Early in the year, activities will be planned in order for the students from the two classes to get to know each other better and to assist in continuing their relationships throughout the school year.
  • Tutoring Committee coordinates all aspects of peer-led tutoring at Darden. This involves weekly group sessions as well as individualized attention.
  • Outreach at Darden seeks to help students get involved in the Charlottesville community. It encourages the spirit of giving, contributes Darden’s diverse talents to Charlottesville, and fosters community involvement in future business leaders.

Degree Programs

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The Darden Graduate School of Business offers three MBA program formats, a doctoral degree, and a wide selection of dual-degree programs.

  • Master of Business Administration
  • MBA for Executives
  • Global MBA for Executives
  • Doctoral Program
  • Dual Degree Programs

Endowed Chairs and Special Gifts

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Endowed Chairs

John Alden Purinton, Jr., Visiting Professorship in International Management was established by former faculty member John A. Purinton, Jr. After retiring as a Vice President of G.D. Searle International in Chicago, John Alden Purinton, Jr. served as a lecturer in international business management at Darden from 1976 to 1982. The professorship is used to attract non-tenure faculty or business executives with expertise and actual experience at the upper management level and who are focused on how to best lead and manage global operations. The intent of the fund is to provide new educational experiences relevant to today’s changing environment with a full commitment to the case pedagogy. Special emphasis is given to attract or retain current or retired business practitioners to the Darden faculty.

Robert F. Vandell Research Professorship was established from the estate of Robert F. Vandell and gifts from faculty, alumni, and friends of Professor Vandell and the Darden School.

The Almand R. Coleman Professorship of Business Administration honors Almand R. Coleman, a founding faculty member of the school. For 21 years, Mr. Coleman guided the area of management accounting and control with a firm insistence on professional standards of conduct by colleagues and students. This chair reinforces a memory of him that is indelible. The professorship, established by an anonymous donor, has been supplemented by the Class of 1960.

The Bank of America Research Professorship of Business Administration was made possible by a gift from Bank of America (formerly NationsBank) to attract and retain eminent scholars in the field of leadership.

The Charles C. Abbott Professorship of Business Administration honors Charles C. Abbott, the first Dean of the Graduate School of Business Administration, whose leadership brought the school to a position of national prominence. As the Converse Professor of Banking and Finance at the Harvard Business School, Charles Abbott was first consulted by the University and the Sponsor Trustees regarding the establishment of the Graduate School of Business Administration. His cogent advice in these formative stages convinced the sponsors that he should be the school’s first dean. Established by an anonymous donor, the professorship has been supplemented by the Class of 1959.

The C. Stewart Sheppard Professorship of Business Administration was established to honor the second dean of the Darden School. Mr. Sheppard served as a member of the faculty from 1961 to 1972 and as dean from 1972 to 1980.

The Dale S. Coenen Professorship in Free Enterprise was made possible by Mr. Harry E. Figgie of Figgie International and The Figgie Foundation to support the area of finance

The Distinguished Professorship of Business Administration was established by the Board of Visitors to be granted to a distinguished faculty member.

The Eleanor F. and Phillip G. Rust Professorship of Business Administration enriches instruction in the Graduate School of Business Administration with courses, seminars, or points of view that otherwise might not be available in the School. In furthering this purpose, persons from the business world as well as from the academic world shall be eligible for election.

The Elis and Signe Olsson Professorship of Business Administration, established in 1966, is dedicated to high concepts of integrity and ethical conduct in public and private life. Elis Olsson founded Chesapeake Corporation in 1918. His son, Sture G. Olsson, retired chair of Chesapeake Corporation, shaped the business into a Fortune 500 company.

The E. Thayer Bigelow Research Professorship in Business Administration is designed to attract and retain eminent scholars in the area of leadership. It was made possible through the generosity of Mr. E. Thayer Bigelow, Jr., (MBA ‘67) and is one of the several professorships initiated by the Batten Family Leadership Challenge. Mr. Bigelow previously served as a Darden campaign chairman, member of the Darden School Foundation Board of Trustees, and chairman of the Darden Alumni Council Executive Committee. He was the former President and Chief Executive Officer of Time Warner Cable Programming, Inc., and the former President of Home Box Office.

The George M. Kaufman Chair, established in 1998 is designated for the dean of the Darden School.

The Henry E. McWane Professorship of Business Administration honors a former president of Lynchburg Foundry Company who served on the Board of Visitors from 1954 to 1962. Mr. McWane was one of the five original incorporators of the Darden School Sponsors and served as president of the Trustees from 1955 to 1958.

The Isidore Horween Research Professorship was established by Ralph Horween in honor of his father and in memory of his wife, Genevieve B. Horween, to attract and retain eminent scholars in the field of small manufacturing enterprises.

The James C. Wheat, Jr., Professorship of Business Administration honors James C. Wheat, Jr., who served as an active Sponsors trustee of the school from 1969 to 1978. Mr. Wheat was founding chairman of Wheat, First Securities, Inc., of Richmond.

The J. Harvie Wilkinson, Jr., Professorship of Business Administration honors a former president of United Virginia Bankshares who served on the Board of Visitors from 1966 to 1970. Mr. Wilkinson was a founding member of the Darden School Sponsors and served as a trustee from 1952 to 1964.

The John L. Colley, Jr. Research Professorship in Business Administration was made possible by an anonymous gift from a graduate of the school to recognize the many contributions to the Darden School by John L. Colley, Jr., who served on the Darden faculty for nearly 40 years. The chair supports research and writing by a faculty member during the summer months with an emphasis on writing cases and new curriculum. This research chair was formerly called the Alumni Research Chair.

The John Tyler Professorship of Business Administration honors the 10th president of the United States. Born in Virginia in 1790, Mr. Tyler served as Virginia’s governor and was a United States Senator, a member of the House of Representatives, a Virginia State Senator, and a member of Virginia’s House of Delegates. The Class of 1971 has supplemented this chair.

The Johnson and Higgins Professorship of Business Administration This professorship was established in honor of Henry W. Johnson and A. Foster Higgins of the firm of Johnson and Higgins, founded in 1845.

The Killgallon Ohio Art Chair Professorship of Business Administration, funded by Martin L. Killgallon (MBA ‘72) and William C. Killgallon (TEP ‘76) , is one of several endowed professorships initiated as a result of the Batten Family Leadership Challenge. Created to honor their late father, W. C. Killgallon, a man described as dedicated to the pursuit of lifelong learning, the objective of this professorship is to attract and retain outstanding scholars in the field of business administration.

The Landmark Communications Professorship of Business Administration was established by Landmark Communications, Inc., a newspaper, radio, and television company based in Norfolk, Va.

The Leslie E. Grayson Professorship in Business Administration was established in 2002 to honor retired Darden professor Leslie E. Grayson. The Chair was generously funded by over seventy of Professor Grayson’s friends and former students. Professor Grayson taught at Darden from 1971 to 1998 and among his many accomplishments were serving as the first director of the joint MBA/M.A. program in East Asian studies and as a founding faculty advisor of the International Business Society. The Chair allows Darden to hire a preeminent international business scholar to focus exclusively on international business issues. It has the distinction of being the first endowed international chair at the Darden School.

The MacAvoy Professorship in Business Administration, established in November 1996, was made possible by Mr. and Mrs. Thomas C. MacAvoy. Named in honor of Mr. MacAvoy’s family, the chair demonstrates a commitment to improving business education for future corporate leaders.

The MasterCard Professorship of Business Administration, funded by MasterCard International, allows a distinguished professor to create and integrate a climate of innovation and entrepreneurial spirit into the Darden curriculum.

The Morris Plan Chair of Consumer Credit honors Arthur J. Morris, the banker and financier who created the Morris Plan. His 1901 Morris Plan system launched the practice of making small installment loans to working persons on the basis of their character and earning power. Later known as First American Bankshares, Mr. Morris’ corporation was purchased by the Charlotte-based First Union Corporation in 1993.

The NewMarket Corporation Professorship of Business Administration, established in 1984 by the Ethyl Corporation, is to be held by an individual who is teaching a required course in the MBA degree program.

The Oliver Wight Professorship of Business Administration was established by the Oliver Wight Continuing Trust for Manufacturing Professionalism with funds given by friends and business associates at the suggestion of Joan W. Wight, widow of Oliver Wight.

The Paul M. Hammaker Professorship of Business Administration honors Paul M. Hammaker, who served on the faculty of the School from 1962 to 1973, after achieving national recognition as president of Montgomery Ward. This chair is a lasting expression of the respect and gratitude accorded him by his students.

The Paul Tudor Jones II Research Professorship, established in 1996 in both the McIntire School of Commerce and the Darden Graduate School of Business Administration, was created with a gift from Mr. Jones (College ‘76). The chair supports a professor who specializes in the technical analysis of financial and commodity markets and who exposes undergraduate and graduate business students to the concepts of this field. This professorship alternates between Darden and McIntire every three years.

The Richard S. Reynolds Professorship of Business Administration honors Richard S. Reynolds, former president and chair of the Reynolds Metals Company, an illustrious and respected Virginia businessperson.

The Ronald E. Trzcinski Professorship of Business Administration is named for a 1971 Darden alumnus, and was established by the Wuliger Foundation of Cleveland, Ohio, the philanthropic arm of Ohio Mattress Manufacturing Company.

The Ruffin Professorship of Business Ethics was funded by the Ruffin Foundation to be given to a distinguished scholar of business ethics.

The Samuel L. Slover Research Professorship This professorship was made possible by a Leadership Challenge from the Batten Family. Its purpose is to attract and retain eminent scholars in the field of business leadership.

The Sponsors Professorship of Business Administration was established by an anonymous donor and the Trustees of the Darden School Foundation.

The Tayloe Murphy Professorship in Business Administration was established by an anonymous donor to honor the memory of W. Tayloe Murphy of Warsaw, Virginia, in recognition of his support for the University of Virginia’s Graduate School of Business Administration.

The Tipton R. Snavely Professorship of Business Administration honors Tipton R. Snavely, who, as chair of the James Wilson School of Economics and the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia, made the first suggestion to establish the Graduate School of Business Administration and whose energy and imagination led to the creation of the Sponsors, the school’s founding organization.

The United Technologies Corporation Professorship of Business Administration was established by the United Technologies Corporation in 1995 to support the school’s leadership and entrepreneurship programs. Many members of the United Technologies management team have attended the Darden School, including George David, former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of UTC. Mr. David was instrumental in the establishment of the UTC professorship. He is a 1967 Darden graduate, past member of the Darden School Foundation Trustees, and a participant in the school’s Distinguished Speakers Series.

Special - Endowed Gifts

John S. Alfriend Memorial Fund is a matching fund donated by the Sovran Bank and friends of Mr. Alfriend to be used at the Dean’s discretion for such purposes as the development of guest lectureships, case writing, and special research projects in areas of interest to the student body. The fund was established in 1974 to honor John Alfriend, the first Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Virginia National Bank. Through his personal dedication, the Darden School was started with strong financial support from the Virginia business community.

The Annelise L. Tew Fund for International Studies was established in 2011 by visiting professor, Larry Franklin, and his brother, Sterling Franklin. It’s primary purpose is to provide financial support to Darden MBA students who participate in Darden-organized Global Business Experience trips outside the United States. Secondly, the fund provides financial support to Darden MBA students who participate in Darden-organized international academic exchanges.

The Bruce Lauritzen Unrestricted Endowment Fund was established in 2006 by Bruce Lauritzen, (MBA 1967), an emeritus member of the Darden School Foundation Board of Trustees. Mr. Lauritzen is the Chairman of First National Bank of Omaha, its holding, First National of Nebraska, and Lauritzen Corporation. The fund is to be used at the discretion of Darden.

The Class of 1974 Reunion Darden Internship Fund was established by the Class of 1974 at their twentieth reunion in 1994. The endowment is to supplement the summer salaries of student interning in the non-profit/public sector.

The Class of 1979 Reunion Darden Internship Fund was established by the Class of 1974 at their fifteenth reunion in 1994. The fund provides two annual stipends of equal value to supplement the summer salaries of two students interning in the non-profit/public sector.

The Class of 1984 Reunion Darden Internship Fund was established in 1994 to the class of 1984 to supplement summer salaries of Darden students interning in the non-profit/public sector.

The Class of 1987 G. Robert Strauss Marketing Award was established in 1989 by the members of the Class of 1987 in memory of their classmate, G. Robert Strauss, Jr. This award is given to a student who in his/her First Year demonstrated innovative thinking, the ability to develop unique solutions to real world problems, flair and charisma in presenting ideas, proactive insight when challenging classmate’s viewpoints, compassion for his/her fellow students, solid skills at case analysis, and a requisite understanding of basic marketing concepts. The recipient exhibits the attributes of team spirit and a willingness to help other classmates, which suggests a well-balanced approach to the Darden experience.

The Colgate Darden Trust was established by Mr. Colgate W. Darden, Jr. in 1971. Colgate Darden is the namesake of the Darden School and one of its earliest proponents. He served as delegate in the Virginia General Assembly, a Congressman in the U.S. House of Representatives, Governor of Virginia, Chancellor of the College of William and Mary and President of the University of Virginia from 1947 to 1959. The Colgate Darden Trust was created to provide unrestricted support for the Darden School Foundation.

The Craddock Fund was established in 1996 by the estate of Charles G. Craddock to advance interests of business, medicine and society at the Darden School.

The C. Ray Smith Fund for Academic and Professional Excellence was established in 2002 by Darden alumni to honor and recognize the breadth of C. Ray Smith’s (MBA ‘58) contribution to the Darden School and alumni. C. Ray Smith, the Tipton R. Snavely Professor Emeritus of Business Administration, generously gave his time, energy, and talent to Darden for nearly 45 years in various capacities including as professor, interim dean on three occasions, executive director of the Darden School Foundation, associate dean for Executive Education, associate dean for MBA Education, associate dean for Administration and Darden School Foundation Trustee. The fund is used each year at the discretion of the Dean to fund the most pressing needs for people and programs of the Darden School.

The Dana R. Clyman Darden Internship Fund was established in 2008 by Lisa Clyman and family and friends of Dana Clyman in his memory. Dana Clyman was an associate professor at Darden. The fund provides financial assistance to First Year students pursuing summer internships in a non-profit or public service field. Students are responsible for securing their own internship position. The employer must make a contribution to the intern’s appointment (normally salary but may be in-kind) and the proposed position must offer the student the opportunity to develop the student’s managerial skills and apply the learning of the First Year of the MBA program.

The Darden Partners Association Fund was established in 2000 by William Utt (MBA ‘84) to support the Darden Partners Association. The Darden Partners Association (DPA) is an active support group for spouses, families, and significant others of Darden students. The DPA helps new members make a smooth transition to Charlottesville and business school life through hospitality, job networking, family resources, community service, and social events.

The Entrepreneurial Studies Fund was established in 1983 through the generosity of David C. Walentas (MBA 1964), his classmates, and other alumni interested in promoting the study of entrepreneurship at Darden. The gift funds a series of activities annually to expose Darden students to issues and prominent personalities associated with entrepreneurial business ventures. Some of these activities include an entrepreneurial speakers program and summer research by faculty, doctoral students, and research assistants on how to educate and motivate students in entrepreneurial studies.

The Theo Herbert Award was established in 1999 by the Class of 1999 in honor of Theo Herbert (MBA ‘59), Darden’s first international student. The purpose of the fund is to recognize a member of the Darden community for exceptional contributions toward the promotion of the Darden School as an international business school.

The Everard Meade Fund for Creativity was established by the Class of 1970 at their fifteenth reunion in recognition of Everard Meade, a retired Darden School Lecturer. The endowment provides scholarships to Second Year MBA students who have exemplified qualities of creative leadership and management and have demonstrated need. Additionally, the endowment allows for the designation of a national business figure to receive the Meade Award for Creative Management annually.

The Frederick S. Morton Awards were established in 1995 by John Sinwell (MBA ‘60) in honor of Frederick S. Morton who taught at Darden from 1957 to 1989. This award is given to a Second Year MBA student in recognition of the student’s exceptional leadership within the Darden community. Leadership may be interpreted to include such academic activities as classroom and group project experiences as well as extracurricular activities involving Darden organizations. The award should highlight a student’s leadership, vision, and insight in expanding on or improving the Darden experience. Award recipients must be members of the graduating class. The second element of the award is the recipient’s selection of the teaching faculty member who best fostered the recipient’s leadership ability while at Darden by stimulating the recipient to act upon ideas for evolution and improvement.

The H. B. Turner Reading Fund was established in 1992, in honor of H.B. Turner, a visiting lecturer at Darden. The income of this fund is devoted to purchasing books for recreational reading that will entertain and broaden the perspectives of Darden students.

The Herman Crown Memorial Fund was established in 1965 by the Arie and Ida Crown Memorial. The fund initiated the operation of a College Investment League through which students actively participated in the decisions involving investment of the funds. The program was named after the late Herman Crown, the brother of Colonel Henry Crown who established the College Investment League at numerous colleges.

The Reynaldo Roche Fund for GLAD at Darden was established in 2012 by Reynaldo Roche (MBA ‘07), to provide financial support to the student club, Pride at Darden (PAD), formerly named GLAD (Gays, Lesbians and Allies at Darden.)

The Robert F. Bruner Dena’s Fund for Faculty Excellence was established in 2013, to promote the strategic advancement of the Darden School’s faculty, in terms of skills, intellectual strengths and special “pillars” of outstanding competence.

The Robert & Suzanne Ranlet Dean’s Discretionary Fund was created in 1993 to be used at the Dean’s discretion for the benefit of the school.

The Ruffin Lecture Series Fund brings leading scholars to the Darden School to give public lectures on business ethics. The lectures are published, and manuscripts representing the best thinking in business ethics will be included in the monographs.

The TeleCable Faculty Fellowship was established in 1995 by Larry Brett (Class of ‘79), Richard D. Roberts, Gordon Herring (Class of ‘70), and Conrad M. Hall (Class of ‘70) as part of the Batten Family Leadership Challenge. TeleCable Corporation built cable TV systems in 15 states and merged with Tele-Communications in 1995. Many members of the Darden community have ties with TeleCable Corporation including the fellowship’s benefactors and Frank Batten, Sr., who purchased TeleCable Corporation, his first cable franchise, in 1964.

The TVA Faculty Fellowship for Business in Society was established in 1996 by the Tennessee Valley Authority, a Federal agency. The TVA’s primary focus was to produce academic research that provides public sector officials and private sector senior executives with a conceptual framework and a practical understanding of alternative public/private partnership structures that will forge mutually beneficial partnerships in the 21st century.

The Ukrop Family Values-Based Leadership Fund was established in 2000 by Robert S. Ukrop (MBA ‘72) and the Ukrop family to support the values-based leadership work of the Olsson Center. The fund provides for the values-based leadership work of the Olsson Center of Applied Ethics and the development of students’ understanding and articulation of their own personal values.

The Unrestricted Endowment Fund was established in 2003 to be used at the discretion of the Darden School.

Wells Fargo Award For Excellence, originally established by Wachovia Bank & Trust Company in 1982, supports any purpose approved by the governing body of the school. Through this fund, annual awards are given to recognize outstanding research or teaching materials developed by Darden faculty.


Endowed Scholarships, Foundation Scholarships, and Fellowships

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There are numerous scholarships available to students.

http://www.darden.virginia.edu/web/MBA/Financial-Aid/Scholarships/Home/


Executive Education

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The Darden School was founded with the dual mission of developing leaders in the world of practice through a full-time MBA program and professional graduate-level development through Executive Education. Darden continues the nearly 60-year tradition of educating professionals via open-enrollment and customized programs, corporate university design, consortia and unique industry-specific and association partnerships. Each year, successful executives from virtually every industry participate in Darden programs to enhance their management and leadership skills, attain the tools and mindsets to help drive their organizations’ visions and learn to help move their businesses toward sustainable growth. Year after year, these participants rank Darden Executive Education as a top-five global provider of programs in the annual Financial Times rankings.

Designed with an emphasis on understanding and analyzing current business challenges, Darden open-enrollment programs cover topics in the areas of Advanced and General Management, Leadership and Change, Marketing and Sales, Financial Excellence, Innovation and Operations Excellence, Strategy, Growth and Influence. On average, Executive Education welcomes 63 new business representatives to Charlottesville and the Darden School each year, helping to mature relationships that extend across the enterprise and Grounds.

Professionals may earn a Certificate of Specialization following three tracks of study in Executive Education:

  • Certificate in Leadership
  • Certificate in Management
  • Distinguished Certificate in General Management

Certificates are non-degree and are earned by completing the required four weeks of programs in a four-year period.

Darden programs attract executives from around the world and have been delivered in international locations including Australia, Bahrain, China, Dubai, Israel, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Vietnam and the United Kingdom. To learn more, contact us: +1.434.924.3000 ∙ Darden_Exed@darden.virginia.eduwww.darden.virginia.edu/exed.


Facilities

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Computer Facilities
The Darden School has a state-of-the-art technology infrastructure. The classrooms are equipped with power outlets and wireless network access at every seat. Darden classrooms also contain large-screen projection systems as well as audio/video and microphone connectivity. Additionally, study group rooms are outfitted with power outlets, wireless network access, printers, and large screen TV’s that can be used with student laptops. To ensure the best compatibility with Darden’s technology environment, students require a Window-based laptop computer (Windows 7 or 8 professional) and must install the following software: Adobe Acrobat Writer Professional, Oracle’s Crystal Ball, and Microsoft Office 2010 or 2013. A walk-up IT service desk is located next to the classrooms for students to work directly with technicians.

Access to the network is accomplished through both traditional wired connections and wireless access points. Students have the capability to connect from virtually anywhere on Darden Grounds including the classrooms, computing labs, library, and café. Free VPN capability is also available for remote users.

The school provides interactive access to many databases and information services, such as Dow Jones News Retrieval, Bloomberg, and Compustat. Students can access the school’s e-mail system remotely for electronic mail and course-related materials. The school’s portal, myDarden, provides easy access to information systems that support all aspects of student life, including course pre-registration and drop-add, career services, announcements, curriculum resources and a community calendar.

Darden is host to a full-sized, professionally equipped video production studio designed to facilitate faculty pedagogical aims through digital video and audio, both internally for classroom instruction and externally as marketed case-study video and multimedia products. In addition, a brand new smaller Studio E has been built to facilitate single camera live and recorded productions. Video content is produced and acquired at Darden or “in-the-field” as the project dictates. Material gathered can then be assigned to Darden’s in-house digital editing facility to be professionally edited and encoded to one of many digital formats, including web-accessible streaming and audio/video podcasting, for further processing and distribution as necessary. The Abbott Center Auditorium can also serve as a video production facility with multiple broadcast-grade video cameras and audio systems designed to capture large-scale student, faculty, or UVa community educational and social presentations. Professional-quality, high-bandwidth video and audio conferencing can be facilitated to and from the studio, Abbott Center Auditorium, or any of the 18 electronically connected classrooms. Supported student services include video and web conferencing to assist with student projects and interviews. Audiovisual resources, including video acquisition/still camera equipment is available for checkout in the Darden Media Classroom Support area. A host of support staff is on hand to help with any classroom or video-related project or question.

Darden’s Student Information Systems is comprised of Admissions (Slate by Technosolutions), Career Services, Registration, and Alumni Services (Encompass by iModules). The Career Services and Registration software modules were developed and written in-house in a collaborative effort between the administrative staff and the Enterprise Systems technology team. These systems have proven so successful that, at one time, 17 top-tier business and professional schools licensed one or more of these systems for their own use. Currently, the Registration system is licensed by five other top-tier business schools and is used in-house by Darden. The systems go through a review every two to three years to determine if the system still provides students with the needed functionality.

Information technology is highly integrated into the Darden curriculum. First Year students make heavy use of the spreadsheet, word processing, data analysis, and presentation graphics software installed on their notebook computers. Use of computers in both the First and Second Years is designed to provide an understanding of the role of information technology in information-gathering and decision-making contexts.

Library
The Camp Business Library of the Darden School is a research library that provides vital support to students in their course work, classroom preparation, research projects, and career search. The library facilities have spaces for 150 students and researchers to accomplish their work. There are fifteen computer workstations that feature access to financial and business datasets including Bloomberg, WRDS, FactSet, Datastream, CapIQ, SDC as well as other datasets.  The library has a current collection of materials that is focused on business and the social sciences. It contains basic reference works, a broad selection of periodicals that cover subjects related to business, finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship, selected government documents, statistical resources, and access to over 150 online databases. The collection includes unique subscriptions to 600 business journals as well as electronic access to thousands of journals through library databases. The library staff is headed by a professional librarian and a reference librarian who are both members of the Darden faculty. The librarians and library staff are available to assist students with the development of research strategies and the use of information services that are available at the Darden Camp library and other UVa libraries.

The Darden School
The Darden Graduate School of Business Administration is located on the North Grounds, about a mile from the central University Grounds, as part of a graduate-professional complex that also includes the Law School and the Judge Advocate General’s School. Darden’s Goodwin Grounds include the Abbott Center, Saunders Hall, the Camp Library and student services building, twin office and classroom buildings, a parking garage, and the Inn at Darden and gatehouse, used extensively for executive education and the School’s MBA for Executives. The Inn at Darden offers 180 private bedrooms, as well as additional classrooms, meeting rooms, a fitness center and recreation rooms.

Institute for Business in Society

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The Darden School’s Institute for Business in Society aims to be a leading global catalyst and convener of thought, information and action on the role of business in society and to promote the development of leaders who positively impact society through their roles in business.

Institute activities focus on the relationship of business and society, addressing wide-ranging issues including leadership in the current regulatory environment, public-private partnerships, health care, new business models of stakeholder engagement, and trust in business and markets.

The Institute is guided by an advisory committee of Darden faculty, chief executives, and highly-regarded thought leaders who support the Institute in identifying strategic business in society issues, building new knowledge, and proactively developing leading practices and competencies.


Loan Funds

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More than 70 percent of Darden students obtain loans to finance all or part of the cost of their Darden education. Loans are available to enrolled graduate students and range from short-term emergency loans to long-term loans intended to finance major educational costs. Loan money is available to all students who qualify for it, and prospective students should not be deterred from applying for admission if they are willing to undertake long-term loans. For further information, contact the Darden School Financial Aid Office, (434) 924-7739.


Olsson Center for Applied Ethics

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The Olsson Center for Applied Ethics, an international leader in the field of business ethics, serves as a critical resource for scholars, students, and Darden alumni focused on connecting business and ethics. It is widely recognized as one of the top centers for the study of business ethics in the world.

The Olsson Center has a dual mission: to be one of the leading sources of thinking about the role of ethics in business and to enhance the intellectual life of the University of Virginia by contributing to a University-wide conversation about the role of ethics in modern society.

The Olsson Center engages in a wide array of activities to carry out its mission. It supports the research activities of Darden faculty; it holds nationally recognized research gatherings that push the frontiers of knowledge generation; it hosts the Olsson Fellows – a group of distinguished scholars who work jointly on research projects with Darden faculty, it supports Darden’s Ph.D. degree program in Management with an emphasis on Business Ethics; and it partners with other organizations, such as the Business Roundtable Institute for Corporate Ethics, on initiatives such as The Project on Public Trust in Business.

History
In 1966 the Elis and Signe Olsson family of West Point, Virginia, founded an agency to focus on “efforts to improve standards of behavior in both public and private business” at the University of Virginia’s Darden Graduate School of Business Administration. Over the past three decades, the Olsson Center has helped heighten the awareness of ethical and moral issues in business.


Richard A. Mayo Center for Asset Management (MCAM)

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MCAM Advisory Group: The MCAM Advisory Group was convened in late 2012 to advise the Dean on MCAM objectives and activities, and to assist with generating support for MCAM. The Advisory Group consists of founding MCAM supporters, faculty, staff and asset management professionals. The Group supports the continued advancement of the Center. Learn more about the MCAM Advisory Group members.

MCAM Activities: The research center’s activities will include:

Research: Publishing leading-edge research in top journals
Conferences: Hosting highly regarded conferences such as Darden’s International Finance Conference and the University of Virginia Investing Conference (UVIC). The UVIC conference has been hosted at Darden since 2008.
Best Practices: Identifying best practices in asset management through research and interaction with practicing managers in the field with venues such as the CAM roundtable event, which began in 2012.

Cases and Educational Materials: Developing asset management cases and other educational materials, to be published by Darden Business Publishing
Student Programs: Enhancing Darden Capital Management (DCM), the student-run investment fund, and creating new educational programs in the field of finance at Darden

Mission: The Richard A. Mayo Center for Asset Management (MCAM) advances the study and practice of asset management through top-quality research, regular conferences and activities, support for the students of Darden Capital Management, and the development of educational programs.

Vision: Richard A. Mayo Center for Asset Management (MCAM) will become a global leader in the field of asset management by producing market-facing research and by preparing skilled future asset managers. MCAM will serve as a hub of thought leadership and professional development for faculty, students, alumni and business practitioners in the field of asset management.


Student Awards

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C. Stewart Sheppard Distinguished Service Award
An honorary award established by the Darden School Foundation, the C. Stewart Sheppard Distinguished Service Award is open to students in all three MBA program formats and recognizes Darden students for exceptional service to the School or the University of Virginia that is of a nonacademic nature. Service is to be interpreted broadly to mean all activities that benefit the School or any of its constituencies, other than those activities that occur in the classroom during regularly scheduled classes.

Current administrative practice is as follows:

Recipients of the award shall be determined by the C. Stewart Sheppard Distinguished Service Award Committee.  The committee shall include four students (two from the residential program, two from the executive formats), three faculty members (including the chairs of the Residential MBA and Executive MBA Program Committees), and the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs, who shall serve as chair and appoint the committee.

Each December and March, the chair of the committee shall conduct a call for nominations from Darden students, faculty, and staff. Nominations may be in the form of an e-mail or letter, and must contain evidence to support the nominee’s qualifications for the award. The chair will also maintain a description of the award and nomination link on the Darden Portal throughout the year. All Darden students who are in good academic standing at the end of the spring semester (i.e., not under the jurisdiction of the Academic Standards Committee) are eligible to receive the award. In the case of second-year students who received the award as first-year students, the second-year nominations shall be based on second-year activities only.

Once the nominations are collected, the chair will solicit commentary on the nominees from student and faculty leaders (including Section Reps, DSA Executive Team members, club presidents, first-year course-heads, section faculty coordinators, program administrators, and other individuals the chair deems appropriate). The chair will require the student and faculty leaders to maintain strict confidentiality with respect to the nominee’s identities.

Upon collection of commentary, the chair will assemble a packet that includes each nominee’s recommendation letter(s), commentary, and resume. The packet will be distributed to the selection committee one week in advance of its meeting. The committee will review and discuss the information presented in the packets and determine the award recipients by a simple majority vote.

Selection of the recipients shall be based on the information provided to the committee by Darden students, faculty, and staff. The number of awards given each year shall be determined by the committee. No minimum or maximum number is required.

The award shall be presented to graduating recipients at the School’s annual graduation ceremony. The award shall be presented to first-year recipients (rising second years) at the time the Hyde and Shermet awards are announced (the beginning of the fall semester). The names of the C. Stewart Sheppard Distinguished Service Award recipients shall be included in the Darden School’s Final Exercises program in May (at the time of each recipient’s graduation).

Faculty Awards for Academic Excellence
Approved by the faculty in 1980, these awards are open to students in both program formats and recognize contributions to the MBA program of those students who demonstrate outstanding academic performance throughout their entire career at the School. Selection is to be based solely on a student’s cumulative academic performance in the MBA Program, and the award is presented to the top 10 percent of the graduating class as determined by their cumulative grade-point average. Recipients of the Faculty Awards for Academic Excellence will be formally acknowledged at Darden School’s Final Exercises. Academic performance is determined by the Registrar in consultation with the chair of the Academic Standards Committee.

Frederick S. Morton Leadership Award
This award is given to a Second Year MBA student in recognition of the student’s exceptional leadership within the Darden community. Leadership may be interpreted to include such academic activities as classroom and group project experiences as well as extracurricular activities involving Darden organizations. The award should highlight a student’s leadership, vision, and insight in expanding on or improving the Darden experience. Award recipients must be members of the graduating class. The second element of the award is the recipient’s selection of the teaching-faculty member who best fostered the recipient’s leadership ability while at Darden by stimulating the recipient to act upon ideas for evolution and improvement.

Current administrative practice is as follows:

Recipients of the award shall be determined by the Frederick S. Morton Leadership Award Committee. The committee shall include a student member, the chair of the MBA Program Committee, the Assistant Dean for Career Services, the Director of Student Affairs, and two additional faculty members. The Director of Student Affairs shall serve as chair and appoint the committee.

Each March, the chair of the committee shall conduct a call for nominations from Darden students, faculty, and staff. Nominations may be in the form of an e-mail or letter, and must contain evidence to support the nominee’s qualifications for the award. The chair will also maintain a description of the award and nomination link on the Darden Portal throughout the year. All Darden students who are in good academic standing at the end of the Second Year (i.e., not under the jurisdiction of the Academic Standards Committee) are eligible to receive the award.

Once the nominations are collected, the chair will solicit commentary on the nominees from student and faculty leaders (including DSA Executive Team members, club presidents, program administrators, and other individuals the chair deems appropriate). The chair will require the student and faculty leaders to maintain strict confidentiality with respect to the nominee’s identities.

Upon collection of commentary, the chair will assemble a packet that includes each nominee’s recommendation letter(s), commentary, and resume. The packet will be distributed to the selection committee one week in advance of its meeting. The committee will review and discuss the information presented in the packets and must determine the award recipient by a unanimous vote.

Selection of the recipients shall be based on the information provided to the committee by Darden students, faculty, and staff.

The award shall be presented to the student recipient at the School’s annual graduation exercises. The student recipient shall choose the faculty recipient over the summer, and the latter shall be recognized in the fall at the first faculty meeting.

G. Robert Strauss Marketing Award
This award is presented annually by the marketing faculty to a student who, in his or her First Year, has demonstrated (1) innovative thinking, (2) the ability to develop unique solutions to real world problems, (3) flair and charisma in presenting ideas, (4) provocative insight when challenging classmates’ viewpoints, (5) compassion for fellow students, (6) solid skills at case analysis, and (7) a requisite understanding of basic marketing concepts. The ideal candidate will exhibit the attributes of team spirit and a willingness to help other classmates, suggesting a well balanced approach to the Darden experience. This award is open to students in the Residential Format Program.

The winner will be announced by the Marketing Area Coordinator at the fall awards ceremony. The winner will receive a small cup or plaque, will have his or her name engraved on the Strauss Cup (which will be kept at the Darden School), and will receive a check for half of the income earned on the Strauss Cup fund from the previous year.

MBA for Executives Faculty Award

The award is given to a member of the graduating MBA for Executives class whose attitude and high engagement contributed positively to a classroom experience that reflected a supportive and equitable learning environment and an integrated, enterprise perspective.

The Selection Committee will consist of the Associate Dean of the MBA for Executives Program and Core Term Faculty Leaders. The Assistant Dean of the MBA for Executive program will serve as a non-voting member. A call for nominations will be made by the Associate Dean of the MBA for Executives Program to the Core and Elective MBA for Executives faculty.

Samuel Forrest Hyde Memorial Fellowship

Each year, the faculty shall award by vote the Samuel Forrest Hyde Memorial Fellowship to the student who has successfully completed his or her First Year at Darden and who has contributed most to the welfare of the School during that year and, by personality and devotion to the objectives of the School, shows the greatest promise of achieving a useful career. The award is open to students in the Full-Time Format Program and will entitle the recipient to the income of the Hyde Fund without regard to financial need.  

Current administrative practice is as follows:

The Hyde Fellowship will be voted by the faculty at its first meeting of the academic year (normally, late August or early September) based on a nomination presented by the chair of the MBA Program Committee.

A Hyde Fellowship Committee shall be formed to include the chair of the MBA Program Committee, the Assistant Dean for the MBA Program (who will chair the Hyde Committee), and the faculty who served as first-year section coordinators during the year. The committee shall accept nominations through three processes. In late April, the chair shall make an open invitation for e-mail or written nominations from the faculty, staff, and first-year students. In addition, at the end of the spring semester each first-year section faculty member may nominate up to two candidates. Finally, recipients of the Shermet Award will automatically be considered nominees for Hyde recognition.

Over the summer, the committee shall gather data and opinions from faculty, staff, and students in the Darden community. The Assistant Dean for the MBA Program will collect commentary from first-year Section Reps, FY teaching faculty, program administrators, and a random sample of 30 rising second-year students. The commentary will then be combined with the nomination letter(s) and resume into a packet for each nominee. The chair will provide the packets to the committee one week in advance of its meeting. The meeting should occur during the summer and no later than 1 August. The committee will review each packet and propose a nominee for approval by the faculty.

William Michael Shermet Award

Each year the faculty shall give the William Michael Shermet Award to the student or students who have demonstrated academic excellence in the First-Year program and who, by their determination and constructive attitude and service, have provided an example of responsible competitive spirit for their classmates. This award is open to students in the Residential Format Program.

Current administrative practice is as follows: 

At the end of each quarter of a required First-Year course, the faculty member will submit no more than three candidates as nominees for the Shermet Award. These candidates will be nominated based on their determination and constructive attitude, and their responsible competitive spirit. If possible, these students should be identified before their written exams are graded. All First-Year Program teaching faculty will be required to submit these names. 

All faculty teaching First-Year Electives will also be required to submit no more than three names for each of their sections of elective courses.

At the end of the First Year, grade point averages for required courses will be calculated for all students who have successfully completed the First-Year Program. The top 10% will automatically be considered as nominees for the Shermet Award. In addition, those students nominated at least once by the individual faculty members will be considered nominees.

At a meeting of the entire First-Year Faculty in August, the nominees will be discussed and at most 15 will be selected as winners of the Shermet award, taking into account both academic performance as indicated by grade point average and determination, constructive attitude, and competitive spirit as indicated by their individual faculty nominations. The August meeting will be led by the chair of the MBA Program Committee.


The Darden School Foundation

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The supportive relationship between the school and the Darden School Foundation began with the initiative of the southern business leaders who, under the guidance of former University President Colgate W. Darden, Jr., secured the initial endowment funds necessary to found the school in the early 1950s.

Today, the role of the foundation continues as a nonprofit, tax-exempt corporation that manages current endowment funds for the exclusive benefit of the Darden School, operates the school’s prominent executive education programs, and promotes the support of the school by alumni, friends, and corporations. An elected Board of Trustees works closely with the Senior Executive Director, Darden School Foundation and Strategic Relations to manage the Foundation.

Funds provided annually to the school contribute to all phases of life at Darden. The Darden School’s rapid rise to prominence on the strength of its MBA, MBAE, GEMBA, and Executive Education programs is, in large part, due to the initial and continuing generosity of the many alumni, friends, and corporations who support the Darden School Foundation.


The Darden School Alumni

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Darden recognizes that its greatest strength lies in the success and involvement of its alumni. Since the first class graduated in 1957, Darden has relied on its alumni to assist the School in a variety of ways. Today Darden has more than 14,000 alumni from the MBA and TEP programs, and is renowned for the strength of its alumni network.

The continuing interests of Darden alumni in the affairs and governance of the School and with fellow alumni and students are fostered by the Darden Alumni Association, which is managed by the Office of Engagement Strategies and the Alumni Board. The School has approximately 600 alumni in volunteer roles including chapter leaders, class agents, class secretaries and others who serve on committees for student recruitment, career development, corporate relations, and fundraising. There are 27 alumni chapters worldwide.

Alumni activities are organized by chapters in the U.S. and abroad. Volunteers in each chapter plan events for alumni, prospective students, and friends of Darden, with support from the Alumni Services Office. Darden faculty travel to alumni events, presenting current research and discussing business topics relevant to their work. Darden also organizes two major alumni events on Grounds each year: Alumni Reunion is held in April, followed by Alumni Leadership Roundtable in the fall.