Some sad news out of Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management — Don Jacobs, Kellogg’s dean from 1975 until 2001 and professor of finance since 1957, recently passed away.
Jacobs is credited with transforming Kellogg into one of the world’s premier business schools thanks to implementing the team-based learning model that has become the standard in almost every Kellogg course, and business schools around the world.
“Don Jacobs was a transformational leader for Kellogg, for Northwestern, and for American higher education. To a great extent, he created the model for business education through the combination of a dynamic MBA curriculum, outstanding Ph.D. programs and intensive executive education,” said Northwestern University President Morton Schapiro. “Under Dean Jacobs’ leadership, Kellogg achieved extraordinary success and international recognition that continues today. We will miss him greatly.”
Jacobs is also credited with bringing Kellogg to the global stage, and introducing global education and perspectives to business students. In the 1990s, he built lasting partnerships institutions like the Guanghua School of Management at Peking University in Beijing, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Leon Recanati Graduate School of Business Administration at Tel Aviv University, Schulich School of Business at York University in Toronto, and WHU-Otto Beisheim School of Management in Vallendar.
In addition to his important time as dean, Jacobs was named the Gaylord Freeman Professor of Banking in 1979. From 1960 to 1975, he was director of Kellogg’s Banking Research Center, and chairman of the department of finance from 1969 to 1975. Even after retiring, Jacobs remained an involved at Kellogg. He taught multiple courses, managed the Zell Center for Risk Research and traveled extensively for the school.
“A man of high standards and great warmth, Don Jacobs shaped the careers of thousands of Kellogg faculty, students and staff. In addition to his work at Kellogg, Don sat on numerous boards. Combined, he quite literally influenced a generation of business leaders in a way that no one person will ever be able to do again,” said Sally Blount, the current dean of the Kellogg School of Management. “For me, he was both a mentor and friend. The bravery he modeled in the choices he made on behalf of Kellogg over his 26 years as dean has been and will continue to be a daily source of inspiration to me and countless others.”
In partnership with Don’s children, Kellogg has established the Donald P. Jacobs Memorial Fund in his honor. According to the school, the Kellogg and Northwestern community will celebrate Jacobs’ life and legacy in the near future.
The 90-year old former dean passed away peacefully on October 30, 2017 surrounded by family.