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$425 Million
Campaign for
Sustained Leadership Sets Sail
At a high point in the Wharton School's success,
more than 600 alumni and friends of the School gathered on October 26 to raise the
bar. "I'm proud that we've been named Number One four times in a row, but it also
doesn't matter," Dean Patrick Harker said during a kickoff celebration for Wharton's
Campaign for Sustained Leadership. "What got us there is our willingness to take risks.
And that never stops."
Wharton's commitment to taking risks has been demonstrated by the more
than $295 million that was raised before the big event, which took place at the U.S.
Navy Base's Cruise Ferry Terminal in Philadelphia. From huge banners on one wall,
an image of the School's founder, Joseph Wharton, looked out through a cascade of
17,000 names of donors who had already contributed to the Campaign. Many of
these leading donors were present at the black-tie dinner celebrating the Campaign's
progress, and they recommitted themselves to its successful completion.
Defining Wharton's Future
Dean Harker stressed that the Campaign will define Wharton's future.
"I see the Campaign for Sustained Leadership as our shared opportunity to build
the foundation for the next generation of Wharton's leadership. We have set
an ambitious goal: we will raise $425 million for Wharton's future – by
far the largest fundraising initiative in our history. And I am confident we
will achieve this goal with the help of the people in this room tonight and the
worldwide Wharton alumni community."
Lift Our Sights Dramatically
Campaign Chairman Jon Huntsman, who was unable to attend the Campaign kickoff,
commented in a letter that was read by his son-in-law, Richard Durham, W'87: "During
the next two years, we must lift our sights dramatically and far surpass our rather
modest goal of $425 million."
Sailing toward the goal: 17,000 donors,
295 Million raised so far.
A Legacy of Giving
When Jon Huntsman made his unprecedented 40 million gift
to Wharton as a cornerstone of the campaign, he was carrying on a tradition of giving that
affected him personally. As a student, Huntsman received a scholarship established by the
Zellerbach family, which enabled him to attend Wharton.
Panel Discussion: Creating Leaders for the Global Community
The day of the Campaign kickoff was a time to celebrate leadership
and to consider what it means to be a leader. In a panel discussion before the dinner, a
group of distinguished global business executives assembled in the Annenberg Center's
Zellerbac Auditorium to offer their views on leadership.
Why Do
We Need a
Campaign?
What is it that drew this
distinguished group of alumni
and friends to Philadelphia
to celebrate the School's
Campaign kickoff?
During a reception before
dinner, we asked some of
the attendees why they believe
the Campaign is necessary.
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