At Community Forum, Babson Looks Forward

Babson Community Forum
Listen

The outbreak of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) calls for leaders who can problem solve, said President Stephen Spinelli Jr. MBA’92, PhD, during a virtual community forum held Friday afternoon.

“We have a responsibility to solve problems and be leaders. That’s why when we have a crisis, we come together so quickly. This institution was built for this kind of problem. We will prove to be some of the great problem solvers of this time,” he said.

Some 650 students, faculty, and staff joined the forum, broadcast via WebEx, to hear updates on and ask questions about the university’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In these difficult and unsettling times, it is so important that we stay together even if we are physically apart,” said Kelly Lynch, chief of staff and vice president of strategic initiatives, who moderated the forum.

Spinelli and Lynch were joined by Lawrence P. Ward, vice president for student affairs and dean of students, and Ken Matsuno, dean of faculty.

“People believe in this community. If I had to be somewhere else, I don’t think I would feel as strong or as optimistic as I feel being a part of Babson,” Ward said. “We will absolutely get through these times and be a more innovative, and stronger, institution.”

The College has received an outpouring of support from its alumni network, says Lynch. Alumni have made contributions to the student emergency fund and offered to host students in need.

“You join a network of 40,000 global entrepreneurs,” Lynch said. “They want to help. Look for opportunities to rely on them on your journey.”

Two Imperatives

According to Spinelli, College leadership’s decisions in response to the COVID-19 crisis have been grounded in two imperatives: to protect the health and safety of the Babson community, and to maintain academic continuity.

During the one-hour forum, Spinelli, Ward, and Matusno shared updates on actions the College has taken to ensure those imperatives are met. Leadership recently announced the postponement of in-person Commencement ceremonies; undergraduates were given a pass/fail option for spring semester courses; and some 1,900 students moved off campus. The College’s first day of fully online course offerings was this past Monday.

The group answered viewer-submitted questions and reflected on the impact this global health pandemic is having on the Babson community. Questions ranged from how to stay connected with Babson’s resources in an online environment, to inquiries about the College’s financial state, and impacts on the strategic plan.

The Mission Has Not Changed

Despite the unprecedented disruption of the pandemic, Babson’s mission to change business education has not changed, said Spinelli.

“I am confident that we will emerge from the coronavirus outbreak stronger as an institution of higher learning and as a community of caring friends,” said Spinelli. “This community is ready to solve big problems.”

Dean of Faculty Ken Matsuno characterized the moment as a “great opportunity,” and said he has been encouraged and inspired by what he has already seen.

“When we are confronted with a challenge, we take a deep breath, then start to work,” Matsuno said. “That is the culture of Babson.”

“It’s our time to lead,” said Spinelli.  “I am hopeful for the future and confident in Babson.”

Posted in Community

More from  »

Latest Stories

Farrah Narkiewicz and Rob Major sit and talk at Trim Dining Hall
The Regular Crowd Shuffles In: Lunchtime at Trim  Trim Dining Hall may be a key part of everyday life for many Babson students, but a slew of faculty and staff members also make it part of their daily routine. At lunchtime, they file into the dining hall, seeking food and camaraderie.
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 4, 2025

Posted in Community

Babson Study Reveals the Power of Customer Kindness New Babson-funded research shows that customer kindness can boost employee satisfaction, reduce turnover, and spark a cycle of positivity in service industries.
By
Hillary Chabot
Writer
Hillary Chabot
Hillary Chabot is a writer for Babson Thought & Action and Babson Magazine. An award-winning journalist, she is known for her insightful reporting and dedication to detailed storytelling. With a career spanning over two decades, she has covered a wide range of topics, from presidential campaigns and government policy to neighborhood issues and investigative series. As a reporter for The Boston Herald, Hillary earned a reputation for tenacity and integrity. Her work at Babson College fuels her passions—to learn something new every day and conduct thoughtful, empathic interviews. She’s thrilled to be at Babson College, where students, faculty, staff members and classes provide compelling copy daily.
September 3, 2025

Posted in Community, Insights

Three photos in a side-by-side collage depict Michael Kopelman coaching, Brady Anderson in action, and the doubles team celebrating
Courting Success: How Babson Tennis Teams Transformed into National Powerhouses With championships and top-tier recruiting classes, Babson Director of Tennis Michael Kopelman has overseen the transformation of the men’s and women’s programs into national powerhouses.
By
Scott Dietz
Writer
Scott Dietz
Scott Dietz is Babson College's Associate Athletic Director for Strategic Communications. Dietz is responsible for the department's internal and external communications, including branding, campus engagement, marketing, social media, sponsorships and website management. Additional duties consist of event coverage, facilitation of interview requests, media pitching, video content, writing and editing. Before Babson, Dietz spent 13-plus years at fellow NEWMAC institution Wheaton College, worked for the NFL, New England Patriots, and in the media relations department with the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers. A native of South Park, PA, Dietz began his sports information career at Westminster College.
September 2, 2025

Posted in Community