Kellogg World Alumni Magazine Spring 2006Kellogg School of Management
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Letter from the Dean
Theory: A delicate balance of self-confidence and humility defines true leaders
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  Dean Dipak C. Jain
  Photo © Evanston Photographic
Dean Dipak C. Jain
   

Letter from the Dean

Dear Kellogg School Alumni and Friends,

Nothing is more essential today than making a positive difference in the world.

At the Kellogg School of Management, we honor this important goal through our academic mission, which is to develop socially responsible global leaders. We achieve this with a rich combination of academic rigor, practical relevance and a culture of inclusion that provides our students with abundant opportunities to refine and practice their leadership skills in a collaborative environment.

Students here have long worked with each other in teams; in fact, Kellogg invented the team leadership model in modern management education. But this collaborative model also extends beyond the student body to include our faculty and administration, both of which welcome students as key partners in the school's life. In this way, students become catalysts for innovation and knowledge creation — another central part of our mission.

As you will see in this edition of Kellogg World, which focuses on the Full-Time MBA Program, students indeed enhance the Kellogg experience inside and outside the classroom by creating opportunities to strengthen their leadership skills.

Students contribute to our curriculum not only by participating in courses of interest to them, but by bringing their professional experiences to bear on our offerings and by working with faculty on research projects as co-creators of knowledge. One instance among many that illustrates how they have stepped forward in partnership with our professors is the Global Issues in Management course, begun in 1990 as a student-driven initiative. Given the market's competitive landscape, it is imperative that students learn to reason like researchers and truly "dig deeper" to discover business and leadership solutions. 

Many additional avenues are open for students to strengthen their thought leadership, including managing conferences and clubs, which add vitality and diversity to the Kellogg culture. Dozens of such opportunities exist, including in areas like social enterprise. Another example of student initiative is seen in the tradition of Special K!, our annual theatrical revue written, directed and performed entirely by Kellogg School students. The story "Dramatic presence" reveals some of this popular event's history.

Another way that students help define our culture is through its governance, specifically via the Kellogg Student Association (KSA). This group of talented individuals has demonstrated the enthusiasm and ability to set the tone for student etiquette throughout the school. KSA also partners with the Kellogg administration to exchange ideas about many areas of the school's curriculum and culture.

Clearly, these collaborative relationships among our faculty, staff and students are sustaining the Kellogg experience, continuing to innovate and add value. We view our students as genuine partners, not as passive participants or mere customers during their tenure here. And this framework extends more broadly: It is a responsibility shared by all members of the Kellogg community, including alumni.

This is why we reach out to our alumni, inviting them to share in the life of the Kellogg School. By lending their talents, support and resources to our mission, they help ensure not only our continued success, but they also maintain their own personal "brand."

We believe that no one succeeds alone. When Kellogg wins, our alumni benefit. And when our alumni succeed, their efforts reflect well on the Kellogg School.

This is a virtuous circle that sustains and benefits us all.

Warmest personal regards,

Dean Jain's signature
Dipak C. Jain
Dean

©2002 Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University