Chicago Booth Celebrates Two Decades in Europe
In the last 20 years, Chicago Booth’s presence in Europe has seen its share of change in an ever changing continental economy. Looking to the future, nearly 500 guests, including faculty, staff, students, corporate employers, government representatives and nearly 300 alumni gathered to celebrate the business school’s 20 years of influence in Europe and ponder what the next two decades will hold. The four-day event included panel discussions, “A European Identity for the 21st Century,” keynote speakers, and presentations from faculty, alumni reunion class dinners, and networking events.
“There was a lot of excitement—alumni came together who hadn’t seen each other for years,” said John P. Gould, Steven G. Rothmeier Professor and Distinguished Service Professor of Economics who as dean in the early 1990s led Booth’s expansion to Europe. “The community took stock of where the school has been and where it’s going.”
Sunil Kumar, dean and George Pratt Shultz Professor of Operations Management, led the celebratory toast at the Milestone Reception, which was hosted by the Alumni Club of the United Kingdom and moderated by Stephen Barter, co-chair of the Global Advisory Board Europe, Middle East, and Africa Cabinet.
“To the next 20 years and more!” Kumar said.
Rolf Friedl, ’96, managing partner, Capvis Equity Partners AG Zurich a Global Advisory Board (GAB) member, and a graduate of the first class in Barcelona, recalled the rewards of being a pioneer in breaking into educating students within the European economy.
“Joining the school’s inaugural European program was a bit of a risk, so I thought everyone would be quite adventurous and entrepreneurial,” Friedl said. “What I didn’t expect was the incredible diversity of our class. No two backgrounds were the same, so we learned a lot from each other.”
He also credited Gould and Harry L. Davis, Roger L. and Rachel M. Goetz Distinguished Service Professor of Creative Management, and former deputy dean who also was instrumental in Booth’s expansion to Europe, for the classroom diversity. “It gave us a ready-made network that was very special—and still is.”
Participants at the four-day celebration agreed that Europe’s dynamic economy offers myriad opportunities for Booth to further extend its influence.
Information used in this post comes from a press release from the Chicago Booth website.
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Max Pulcini
Max Pulcini is a Philadelphia-based writer and reporter. He has an affinity for Philly sports teams, Super Smash Bros. and cured meats and cheeses. Max has written for Philadelphia-based publications such as Spirit News, Philadelphia City Paper, and Billy Penn, as well as national news outlets like The Daily Beast.
