Merit scholarships that retain top first-year students. Fellowships that allow faculty to pursue their interests and bring emerging knowledge back into the classroom. Physical improvements to the Whitman School, including Flaum Grand Hall, a centralized gathering place welcoming students and the entire Whitman community.

These are just some examples of the impact that has come from the newly launched Whitman Leadership Circle (WLC), a philanthropic giving society created to transform the educational experience by harnessing the power and support of the Martin J. Whitman School of Management community.

The WLC was created as an opportunity for alumni, parents and friends to directly support Whitman through multi-year leadership commitments. In return, WLC members receive a personalized stewardship experience, that includes special recognition, exclusive communication from the dean, invitations to speak at events and attend receptions, seminars and virtual meetings; unique gifts and apparel, and opportunities to interact with students and faculty that not only thank them for their generosity but continue to enhance their commitment to the Whitman School’s mission and vision.

“The launch of the Whitman Leadership Circle coincides with an exciting transformational time in our history,” says Alex McKelvie, interim dean of the Whitman School of Management. “The energy around the Whitman School is palpable, as we have seen our rankings reach the highest level in over 15 years, and, more importantly, have witnessed our students and faculty continue to succeed in the classroom, in their careers and in their communities.”

This official roll-out of the WLC comes one year after the Whitman School restructured its advancement and external engagement team, including the hire of Assistant Dean of Advancement and External Engagement Michael Paulus. The team’s goal over the past year has been to recharge alumni, parents and others in an effort to raise the level of support for the Whitman School through new strategies and initiatives. The WLC is one example of how these new initiatives are coming to life, as it targets three essential pillars at the Whitman School: enhancing the student experience, providing faculty support, and improving the learning environment and facilities.

Commitments to the WLC begin at $25,000 or more ($5,000 per year over five years) and can be designated to any restricted or unrestricted fund, ensuring a genuine connection to the area of education each chooses to support. The program encompasses six levels of commitments and extends up to $1 million or more.

“As I have had the opportunity to meet with more alumni, parents and other supporters from across the country, I am struck by the important role the Whitman School has played in their lives and how much they value Whitman as such a special place,” says Paulus. “The goal of the WLC is to harness that value into providing outstanding programs, as well as initiatives that make Whitman stand out and ensure that our students continue to get the best possible educational experience both in and outside of the classroom.”

To date, 70 donors have been recognized in the WLC cohort, including 32 who have pledged their support in the last six months during the silent phase of the WLC’s launch. Together during this time, these donors have generated over $4.7 million in new support for Whitman.

“Our goal for the future is to build a storied legacy and create an environment that is as vibrant as the students who enroll at Whitman and the faculty who teach here,” says Mike Haynie, Syracuse University’s vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation and executive dean of the Whitman School of Management. “Our objective is bold, but our plan of action is specific, measurable and achievable. To ascend to excellence in business education will take a united Whitman community ready to commit to our shared vision— and the Whitman Leadership Circle is a vital component to that success.”

To learn more about the Whitman Leadership Circle and opportunities to make an impact, visit Whitman.syr.edu/WLC or complete the WLC interest form to speak with a member of the advancement and external engagement team about how to become an essential part of the legacy of the Whitman School of Management.

###