A new MBA scholarship will be available this September for MBA applicants looking to start at City University London’s Cass Business School in 2017. The Cass Extraordinary Leaders scholarship will be open to students who demonstrate a passion and drive to lead and make a positive impact.
The scholarship was created in honor of polar explorer Ernest Shackleton, who risked his life to rescue 22 crew mates who were trapped on Elephant Island. August 30, 2016, marked the 100th anniversary of his bravery and inspirational tale of extraordinary leadership.
Shackleton’s story began in August 1914 when he launched the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, a cross-continent trek. Shackleton was an experienced explorer, but six months into the expedition his ship, Endurance, was trapped in the Antarctic ice. They were caught for ten months until, in 1916, they were forced to abandon ship. They then spent another six months on the ice eating penguins, seals and even their dogs.
By April 1916, Shackleton and his crew were desperate. The ice was finally starting to splinter, so, in a last ditch effort, Shackleton guided his team to Elephant Island and left his colleague Frank Wild in charge. Then, he set out with only two other crew members to navigate the dangerous arctic waters to South Georgia. Sixteen days later, they landed and had to cross glaciers and a mountain range to reach help.
Finally, on August 30, 1916, Shackleton was able to return to Elephant Island and rescue all 22 remaining men. Not a single man was lost even after being stranded for 105 days.
In a blog from the university, Dr. Sionade Robinson, associate dean of the MBA program, said: “Shackleton’s story of leadership, resilience and determination inspires us to seek ways of supporting determined individuals with extraordinary leadership potential. That’s where an MBA scholarship can help. On the centenary of his rescue of his men, we would like to celebrate Shackleton’s achievements by launching a scholarship for extraordinary leaders.”
For more information about the scholarship, contact the Cass MBA recruitment team at Cass-mba@city.ac.uk.