Reunion 2012

5/4/2012 - John Macaulay ’72 of Dallas reconnected with classmates. Chicagoland resident Matt Kinnich EMP-52 reengaged himself in learning and continuing education. And Ashley Stubbins ’02 traveled from San Francisco with her family to renew old ties to her alma mater through a variety of adult- and kid-friendly activities.

These and other Kellogg alumni took advantage of everything a festive Reunion 2012 had to offer to the more than 2,000 attendees who came from 32 different countries to enjoy the weekend. Myriad activities spanned both campuses during the April 27-28 celebration, including an all-alumni reception, individual class gatherings, MBA Update mini-courses, and a BBQ hosted under a massive tent in Deering Meadow.

Alumni streamed into the Owen L. Coon Forum eager to hear the centerpiece of Reunion: Dean Sally Blount’s State of the School Address. Blount presented key elements of Envision Kellogg — a new strategic direction critical not only to the school’s future but also to shaping business education and thought leadership in the 21st century. Said Blount, “Our goal is to change the way the world thinks about lasting value creation.”

Blount detailed major areas of change that will help to maximize Kellogg’s leadership standing and move Northwestern in directions that other business schools have yet to imagine. Key goals involve re-envisioning thought leadership so that it crosses academic disciplines, creating new ways of delivering the school’s educational mission, building a more robust global architecture, and further cultivating our distinct culture and brand. Blount noted that Kellogg’s new lakefront facility will be constructed with flexibility in mind to incorporate ongoing technological advances and new teaching and classroom environments.

“After hearing her presentation, I am very excited about the future of Kellogg,” said Kinnich, vice president of international and business development at Becker Professional Education.

While alumni participation was clearly evident at Reunion 2012, so, too, was alumni support of the event in the form of in-kind gifts. Julia Stamberger ‘02, owner of boxed meals company GoPicnic, donated 1,500 snack boxes for the Reunion hospitality room. And several eateries owned by Chicago-based Levy Restaurants, founded by alumnus Larry Levy ’67, served as venues for alumni class parties during the weekend.