Babson Commons Opens at Horn Library

Babson Commons
Listen

Not long ago, President Kerry Healey had a vision for a new convening space for Babson’s community—one that would help transform the center of campus and bring everyone together in conversation and creativity.

“For years, I have seen our students gather at Horn Library, studying and socializing. … It was clear to me that they needed more space to do so,” said Healey.

On May 16, 2019, President Healey watched her vision unfold at a packed ribbon-cutting ceremony for Babson Commons at Horn Library.

“At its heart, this is a place for our community to come together—for chance encounters and shared experiences,” she added. “In this space, we will discuss ideas and extend learning beyond the classroom.”

Bala Iyer Garden

One of the most stunning aspects of the new Babson Commons is its centerpiece: the Bala Iyer Garden. This four-season garden is named in honor of the late and beloved dean of faculty and professor, Bala Iyer.

“Recalling some of Babson’s most impactful leaders, Bala Iyer immediately comes to mind,” said Mahd Sharif ’19, Babson Posse scholar, co-president of the Babson Muslim Student Association, and brand new Babson alumnus. “Bala dedicated his mind and body to help us all believe in a better Babson. He believed in the power of community and wanted nothing more than to see Babson students succeed. In this space, they will do just that, in the light of his loving memory.”

The Iyer family was in attendance, including his wife, Priya, and his daughter, Varsha. Each speaker thanked them for being such supportive and active members of the Babson community.

A Hub for Academic and Extracurricular Achievement

“Babson Commons creates an opportunity for us to better invest in important elements of the academic experience,” said Larry Ward, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at Babson.

With three technology-enabled classrooms, a new home for the Stephen D. Cutler Center for Investments and Finance, additional group and informal study spaces, centralized locations for academic and extracurricular resource centers and offices, and a student-named Centennial Café, Babson Commons allows the “College and community to continue on its tremendous trajectory of accomplishment and distinction,” said Ward.

Babson Commons is part of a larger physical transformation on campus, including new buildings like Park Manor West and the Weissman Foundry, the move of both Roger’s Pub & Grille, and Babson’s historic World Globe and Fountain of Flags to Kerry Murphy Healey Park, and the soon-to-be reinvigorated Babson Recreation and Athletics Complex.

Casual Collaboration

Sharif added that he’s excited for Babson Commons to become a connector of like-minded people, and an extension of this place he calls home. “Here, students will gather and foster their own communities,” he said, much like he did over the course of his four years on campus.

“I would like to thank everyone who worked so hard to bring this project to life,” closed Healey, including Babson’s many campus, construction, and design partners. “In particular, I want to thank Bob and Jan Weissman for their support … and for being so passionate about the space.”

Babson Commons has been made possible by the continued generosity of Robert (Bob) Weissman ’64, H’94, P’87 ’90 and his wife, Jan Weissman P’87 ’90, as well as Stephen Cutler MBA’61.

Unveiled at the ceremony was a portrait of the Weissman Family to be hung above a fireplace in Babson Commons—a wish of the family’s so that students would see this space as a comfortable home away from home.

Pictured above from left to right: Larry Ward, Bob Weissman, Priya Iyer, Kerry Healey, Marla Capozzi, and Mahd Sharif

Posted in Community

More from Community »

Latest Stories

a row of electricity meters
The Price of Power: What’s Driving Rising Electricity Rates? Electricity rates have been steadily increasing. Ryan Davies, a Babson professor of finance, unpacks the many reasons for that, including the massive data centers popping up across the country.
By
John Crawford
Senior Journalist
John Crawford
A writer for Babson Thought & Action and the Babson Magazine, John Crawford has been telling the College’s entrepreneurial story for more than 15 years. Assignments for Babson have taken him from Rwanda to El Salvador, from the sweet-smelling factory of a Pennsylvania candy maker, to the stately Atlanta headquarters of an NFL owner, to the bustling office of a New York City fashion designer. Beyond his work for Babson, he has written articles and essays for The Philadelphia Inquirer, Notre Dame Magazine, The Good Men Project, and other publications. He can be found on Twitter, @crawfordwriter, where he tweets about climate change.
September 30, 2025

Posted in Insights

The Babson community and mascot celebrate at the Roger Babson statue last year
No. 2 Again: Wall Street Journal Ranks Babson the No. 2 Best College for the Second Year in a Row For the second year in a row, The Wall Street Journal ranked Babson as the No. 2 Best College in the United States, lauding the College for its impressive student outcomes.
By
Eric Beato
Editor / Writer
Eric Beato
Eric Beato is the Editor of Babson Thought & Action and Babson Magazine. A native of Chicago and a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, Eric has worked as an editor and writer at newspapers across the country, including the Chicago Sun-Times and Boston Herald. Eric joined Babson College in 2019 after working as the communications director for a private educational travel company and as the managing editor of six regional sports publications.
September 29, 2025

Posted in Community, Entrepreneurial Leadership, Insights, Outcomes

First row (left to right): Laura Bautista ’29, Ezel Bhatty ’29, Sydney Fojas ’29; Second row (left to right): Lucas Lebrija ’29, Tia Malhotra ’29, Remy Witt ’29
Class of 2029 Blank Leadership Scholars Bring Excitement to Campus The Class of 2029 Blank Leadership Scholars arrive at Babson equipped with entrepreneurial spirit and social impact experience, from launching nonprofits and tech solutions to championing environmental education.
By
Melissa Savignano
Writer
Melissa Savignano
Melissa Savignano, a content marketing manager at Babson College, has worked in higher education for almost a decade, where she tells authentic, compelling campus and community stories. Before Babson, she managed communications for Boston University’s largest college, the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. She previously worked in client relations, helping brands of various sizes launch content marketing strategies and storytelling initiatives. When not at work, you will find her in the city of Boston, probably at the movie theater.
September 25, 2025

Posted in Community