$50M Innovation Challenge at Cornell's Johnson School

by Stacy Blackman Consulting, Apr 2, 2014

Galvanized by Dean Soumitra Dutta's vision for Cornell's Johnson School of Management as a leader in business education, five alumni committed $27 million to support Johnson programs, faculty, research, and scholarships, the school has announced.

These alumni have invited the Johnson community to participate in an Innovation Challenge and raise an additional $23 million, with the goal of reaching $50 million by June 30, 2015.

Dutta announced the challenge at the recent Johnson Alumni Awards and Recognition Dinner, where he addressed the opportunities for growth and innovation at Johnson in the years ahead.

Johnsons MBA in New York City will be unique, Dutta says, because it is integrated with a leading technology program. Graduates of the MBA program at Cornell NYC Tech will meet the needs of businesses that are driving disruptive change through the smart leverage of technology, he adds.

Meanwhile, on the Ithaca campus, Johnson has completed a major review of the MBA curriculum. These changes will include specialized instruction in critical thinking, a targeted, customized leadership program, and an enriched and expanded focus on data analysis and modeling, the school explains.

Additionally, Johnson is developing special partnerships with sister Cornell schools to bring the universitys numerous intellectual strengths to the Johnson School experience.

Innovative advances require commitment by the school and its graduates, Dutta says, in order to position Johnson as a global leader in graduate business education.

This is a game changer for Johnson and Cornell, says Jeff Parker, one of the alums who pledged a substantial gift. This is a serious opportunity to make a big difference in the world of business education.

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