This fall, Babson welcomed the Class of 2022 to campus and kicked off one of the most significant academic years in the institution’s history—a year that will mark the launch of our Centennial celebrations and lead us into our second century. As we prepare to commemorate this historic milestone, excitement is building on campus and beyond, and the Babson community has so much to be proud of.
Photo: Webb Chappell
Babson President Kerry Healey
In September, U.S. News & World Report ranked Babson the No. 1 undergraduate program for entrepreneurship a remarkable 22nd consecutive time. This is an unprecedented achievement and a testament to Babson’s continued leadership in entrepreneurship education.
Some four decades ago, Babson pioneered entrepreneurship as an academic discipline, based on the revolutionary belief that entrepreneurs can be made and are not just born. We redefined entrepreneurship to mean more than simply starting a business. Instead, we educate leaders who think and act entrepreneurially in all settings, from family enterprises and startups to social ventures and established corporations.
Today, we are preparing entrepreneurs of all kinds to lead in a new way, creating social and economic value simultaneously and, in doing so, transforming lives, businesses, and communities for the better. And we are working hard to make Entrepreneurial Thought & Action accessible to everyone, everywhere.
Last year, Babson awarded $44 million in institutional grants and scholarships, and, for the first time in nearly two decades, met 100 percent of demonstrated need for incoming domestic undergraduates. Babson is enriched by the presence of our extraordinary Global Scholars, Posse Scholars, Diversity Leadership Scholars, Center for Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Scholars, Presidential Scholars, and many others. We know that everywhere on campus, in every situation, there are aspiring leaders with the potential to change the world for the better.
A significant portion of scholarship dollars comes from philanthropy. The generosity of the Babson community enables us to recruit globally, have impact locally, increase selectivity, and offer financial support to the world’s most talented and promising entrepreneurial students.
Babson’s fundraising and alumni engagement reached historic levels in fiscal year 2018. With more than $67 million raised in support of Babson’s people, programs, and campus, we surpassed 10,000 donors for the first time in College history, and we exceeded our participation goal to end the year with a record 30.5 percent of alumni giving to the College.
Since 2012, alumni participation has increased an incredible 135 percent. This is thanks to all of you. Our exceptional global network of 41,000 alumni in 119 countries is among our greatest strengths, and I am incredibly grateful for the ongoing commitment of our community.
Looking ahead to our Centennial, we have so many exciting plans in place. Babson is poised for a second century of innovation and leadership. Our campus is transforming, our community is growing, and our reputation is stronger than ever. I hope you will join us on campus soon and experience the excitement with us in person.
Kerry Healey