Giving

Letter from the Dean

Dear alumni and friends of the MIT Sloan School of Management,

It is a privilege to share with you the 2008 MIT Sloan Annual Report on Philanthropy which will, I hope, offer you a sense of the transformations occurring on campus and how you have played a part in them. MIT's motto, mens et manus, or mind and hand, is central to each of the stories in this report, as is MIT Sloan's mission — to develop principled and innovative leaders who improve the world and to generate ideas that advance management practice. Your generosity is at the heart of our ability to keep pace with constant evolutions and revolutions in business practice globally. Thank you for supporting us in this endeavor.

MIT Sloan is uniquely positioned to influence business practice globally though our educational offerings and research practices. During this time of rapid global change, we must consider how we educate our students, while seeking further partnerships with individuals and organizations external to our Cambridge campus. One of the hallmarks of the education we provide is its inherent adaptability and flexibility. We have programs which match the needs of undergraduates, research scientists, MBAs, and senior executives. Our fleet of programs is customizable and our size continues to allow us to be nimble and proactive in creating new curricular offerings to meet today's needs. As one of the School's supporters, you understand the value in this innovative approach to curriculum — likely because you experienced it when you were here.

Within each of our degree programs, our faculty have created courses which partner theory and practice. Our concept-based action learning program allows students to learn theory in the classroom and then to use that knowledge at more than 100 corporations, non-profits, and NGOs each year. Whether our students are working on a project in New Zealand, China, or here in Kendall Square, they are taking the knowledge they learn at MIT Sloan and applying it in the real world. With more than 55% of our graduating MBAs participating in lab courses, this unique partnership between theory and practice is a key component of our students' educational experience and also of MIT Sloan's global relevance.

Our fleet of degree programs could not be successful without the constant creation of real knowledge by our faculty. This knowledge is relevant now and will stand the test of time because it considers major business challenges and offers solutions for them. Your commitment to the School, through faculty and research support, allows these innovative and timely research projects to progress which in turn allows us to bring knowledge to the world.

When our students arrive in Cambridge, they are full of innovative and entrepreneurial ideas. We give them the tools to translate those ideas into reality — either through the creation of new companies or through the organizations they work for upon graduation. Along with these ideas and their newfound skills, our students leave here carrying a vast amount of real and useful knowledge, and a network of individuals and organizations committed to the same goals. This knowledge and network become embedded in the ways that they work, furthering MIT Sloan's global impact. As business leaders, you understand better than most that organizations are the way that ideas change the world.

We have seen the global economy transform rapidly before and we know it will happen again. What was e-commerce ten years ago, is now sustainable business practice. What will the next challenge be? You can rest assured that with your continued support, MIT Sloan will be at the forefront — not only identifying the challenge but working hard to identify solutions.

During the past year, I have truly enjoyed meeting alumni and friends whose commitment to the School is unwavering. Your partnership is essential as we continue to expand MIT Sloan's global presence. On behalf of our faculty, staff, and students, thank you for your visionary commitment to the MIT Sloan School of Management. Your support changes the way the world works and we look forward to continuing to partner with you during these transformative times.

Best regards,

David Schmittlein
John C Head III Dean

A PDF of the Annual Report is also available.