This Founder’s Day, We Make Our Mark (And I Present a Challenge)

UPDATE: as of midnight, on Founder’s Day 2020, the Babson community not only met, but well exceeded, the College’s goal of reaching 2,020 donors in 24 hours. 

The total amount given was a record-breaking $724,674—including an incredible $100,000 from President Stephen Spinelli Jr. MBA’92, PhD and his wife Carol. This is more than double the amount ever raised during Babson’s annual giving day. 

Thank you to the 2,358 of you who supported Make Your Mark, from 41 states and 41 countries, and, to the 142 of you who became loyal Babson Defenders with a recurring gift that is so vital to the College. 

On Founder’s Day 2019, we celebrated 100 years of educational excellence. Babson College turned 100 years old. There was a noticeable energy on campus. It was the start of a new academic year, our historic Centennial Celebration was just days away, and we were engaged in a collaborative planning process to prepare for our future. Two months into my presidency, I remember feeling inspired by our community, motivated for our future, and thrilled to be home at Babson.

One year later, the world has transformed in ways we could never have imagined. Babson’s mission to empower entrepreneurial leaders is urgently needed. I continue to be inspired by our collective leadership, resilience, and strength.

First-year students are preparing to start their FME businesses in a virtual environment that was completely reworked this summer by our faculty. Graduate cohorts are discovering new ways to collaborate and participate in a virtual environment. Scholar athletes are training in safe and creative ways. Faculty have embraced technology to enhance the Babson experience, and staff continue to support our students and community. From Wellesley to Miami to Shanghai—and hundreds of places in between—we remain connected, engaged, and moving forward together.

Yesterday, we shared exciting news. For the 24th consecutive time, Babson College was named the No. 1 undergraduate school for entrepreneurship by U.S. News & World Report. We are proud to be recognized for our ongoing leadership in entrepreneurship education. We are even more proud of the action we have taken in pursuit of our strategy to advance entrepreneurial leadership, and, in particular, the launch of Babson’s Arthur M. Blank School for Entrepreneurial Leadership last year. Our partnership with Arthur Blank and his foundation team represents the best of Babson.

In tandem with our No. 1 ranking, we announced several milestones for The Blank School, including the impressive new leadership team of Donna Levin as CEO and Scott Taylor as the inaugural Arthur M. Blank Endowed Chair for Values-Based Leadership. Together, they will accelerate The Blank School’s vision to advance and amplify values-driven entrepreneurial leadership on a global scale.

Make Your Mark

As we forge ahead in uncertain times, I remain certain of one thing: we are entrepreneurial leaders. We are agile problem solvers equipped to tackle complex problems and innovate solutions, and we are embracing our next normal with characteristic Babson spirit.

The support of our community is more necessary now than ever. Your support and partnership are critical to our mission.

When we reach 2,020 donors on September 17, we will personally donate $100,000 to the College.

President Stephen Spinelli Jr. MBA’92, PhD and his wife, Carol

This year, we are dedicating millions to enhanced health and safety measures and resources for testing, personal protective equipment, and additional safeguarding needs. More than $46M in grants and scholarships and $600K in emergency aid have been provided to our students. We have made a multimillion dollar investment in technology enhancements for hybrid and virtual learning. And, we continue to invest in integral components of the Babson experience—our centers and institutes, career development, student life, experiential learning, and the scholarly pursuits of our faculty.

That’s why on Founder’s Day, September 17, we also host Make Your Mark—our celebration of philanthropy and annual day of giving. This is our most important fundraising day of the year and we have set an ambitious goal: to reach 2,020 donors in 24 hours.

To motivate and inspire the Babson community to be bold and give generously, Carol and I will offer a challenge. When we reach 2,020 donors on September 17, we will personally donate $100,000 to the College.

I ask you to join us and Defend the Dam. Together, we can ensure Babson’s continued innovation, leadership, and impact. As we mark Babson’s founding with pride and reflection, let’s also rally, as One Babson, for Babson, in action and support.

Posted in Community

Tagged Alumni, Babson Together, Commentary

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