The Babson community—on campus and around the world—came together in person and virtually in May to celebrate the Class of 2021 and the culmination of a year unlike any other. These joyful events brought a sense of accomplishment—and relief. We made it. Finally, there is hope on the horizon for a return to normalcy. Hugs are making a comeback, lunches are being shared, and parties are being hosted once again. We eagerly await the return to a lively campus, when fans will once again pack the stands to Defend the Dam.
But, a return to normal does not mean we revert to a pre-COVID mindset. The world has irrevocably changed. The pain and uncertainty of the past year—marked by pandemic, social injustice, climate disruption, and political turmoil—and the remarkable societal response it fueled, creates opportunity for a new Age of Enlightenment, powered by knowledge and learning.
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Society now demands that everyone be included in the right to solve problems, create value, and flourish. For the first time in human history, all people, no matter where they live or how old they are, can access learning where, when, and how they demand it. Economic and social networks have transformed the way we live and work, and the pace of change continues to accelerate. Commensurate knowledge and learning are essential.
The past 16 months have demonstrated that entrepreneurial leadership is more needed and relevant than ever before. The world requires leaders who think and act boldly, with limited data and constantly changing variables, to create sustainable and purposeful value.
Babson is building those leaders. We are re-emerging into the post-COVID world prepared to educate a society of lifelong learners eager to reinvent the world around them for the better.
The graduates of the Class of 2021 are those leaders. They are entering the post-COVID world ready to innovate, seek opportunity, solve problems, lead with empathy, and catalyze change.
As an institution, as individuals, and as a community, we are poised to thrive. The era of entrepreneurial leadership is upon us.
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