Originally published Sept. 28, 2006.
A brief spat of hail and a full afternoon of rain drove me off the golf course today, but it didn’t stop Darden Dean Bob Bruner from meeting with me and the other 65 students in the Class of 2008’s Section D for an evening reception. In a room bedecked with shrimp cocktails, sushi rolls, chardonnay and longnecks, I had the good fortune to chat with the Dean about his strategic vision for Darden.
One of Darden’s most powerful traits is the quality of its teaching. The faculty here are driven to build students into “future leaders in the world of practical affairs,” as goes the Darden mission statement. As a studnet, this is one of my favorite features of the Darden experience. Professors are here to teach, and they provide an outstanding classroom and co-curricular presence around Grounds. To date, this has been a tradeoff against the quality and quantity of research coming from the faculty halls however. Darden’s partnership with Good to Great author Jim Collins is leading us to embrace the “Genius of the And” – to achieve great research while maintaining top teaching performance as well. (You can check the Darden BusinessCast after Friday, Sept. 29 for a podcast about Darden’s Good to Great partnership with Jim Collins.)
Darden is currently continuing a multi-year celebration of its 50 years of business education (2005 was the actual anniversary). Dean Bruner provided a very inspirational message envisioning our Class of 2008 arriving at the 100 year centennial anniversary, where the school leaders of that age will look back on the people of 2006 and say, “They did something right. They made smart choices, took wise risks, and succeeded in bringing Darden squarely into the global top ten business schools and a central feature of a lifelong learning environment.”
(Darden’s front steps: Saunders Hall)
We at Darden believe in the power of this school, in its dynamic teaching, in the rigor of the aggressive case method, and in the dedication of our outstanding Career Development Center. We have a Dean with an inspiring vision to ratchet up Darden’s global image and performance levels, and students and faculty who love what this school is and what it can become. If you’re ready to work harder than you ever have in your life, if you’re ready to make something more of your life and more of our school, if you’re ready to join us to lead throughout the world of practical affairs – then join us here at Darden.
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