Winter 2020–2021

From the President: Welcoming Arthur M. Blank Home

Stephen Spinelli Jr. MBA’92, PhD and Arthur M. Blank ’63, H’98
Listen

Before The Home Depot, before the packed stadium, before the best-selling book and the tremendous success of The Blank Family of Businesses, Arthur M. Blank ’63, H’98 was a Babson College student. This October, it was our pleasure to welcome him home.

Mr. Blank described his visit as both intellectual and emotional. Although things look different this year—with COVID-19 health and safety protocols in place throughout the day—our visit was an important reminder that the value and impact of the Babson experience extends far beyond graduation day.


MORE: The Blank Blueprint for the Future of Entrepreneurial Leadership


Mr. Blank visited his old residence hall and stopped by the Babson World Globe in its new location. One of the most inspirational parts of the day was our lunch with The Arthur M. Blank School for Entrepreneurial Leadership Scholars. We talked about educational opportunities, Mr. Blank shared stories from his days as a student, and—because Babson students are trained to seize opportunity—several students pitched their business ideas directly to Mr. Blank.

The day was anchored by two virtual events attended by 1,200 members of the Babson community. Our conversations centered on Mr. Blank’s new book, Good Company, and the six core principles that have guided his life, career, and the success of The Blank Family of Businesses—values that also serve as the founding principles of Babson’s Arthur M. Blank School for Entrepreneurial Leadership.

President Stephen Spinelli Jr. MBA’92, PhD
President Stephen Spinelli Jr. MBA’92, PhD

I have long been inspired by Mr. Blank’s vision and leadership. He is an icon of business and entrepreneurship, a strategic philanthropist, and a dedicated Babson College champion and benefactor. I am energized by our collaboration and the unparalleled momentum it generates for Babson’s continued innovation and leadership.

Our shared vision for The Blank School will amplify entrepreneurial leadership on a global scale and inextricably link values-based leadership and entrepreneurship education. Together, we are connecting social and economic value and building leaders who will improve the human condition and change the world.

Posted in Community

More from Babson Magazine »

Latest Stories

Juan “JC” Grullon ’27 and Ty Bradford ’29 shake hands outside Publishers Hall
Publishers Hall Welcomes First-Year Students to Its Cozy Confines During move-in day, a new crop of first-year students made Publishers Hall their home. The small residence hall, built over a century ago, is known for the tight-knit communities that form there.
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.
August 28, 2025

Posted in Community

College mascot and family move in a new student to college.
Parents, Siblings, and New Students Come Together for Babson Move-In Day Families shared stories of packing, pride, and the promise of entrepreneurship as they helped the Class of 2029 settle into campus life.
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.
August 27, 2025

Posted in Community

Students holding Welcome to Babson signs at the frontgates
Move-In Day Brings Babson’s Global Campus Together More than 600 new undergraduate students move into Babson each year. The Class of 2029 brings people from nearby and thousands of miles away to celebrate new beginnings on campus.
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.
August 22, 2025

Posted in Community