The Johnson School Annual Report 2007–2008 - Johnson Graduate ...

and he helped translate that love into activities for his EMBA
class when they studied on campus, including walking tours
and hockey games. It seems to have worked. “A lot of our
class was very excited to stay connected with Cornell after
they graduated,” says Nandi. “I still get questions like, ‘How
do I keep my Cornell e-mail address?’ and ‘What’s up with
the Cornell Club?’” He also attributes this to the special
circumstances of the EMBA student: “We’re in the middle of
our careers. We’re going to school while working full time.
We can see the benefits of the program the next day at work.”
Gifts that Enhance Opportunities
When Duncan D. Russell ’71,
MBA ’73, was asked to become
national chair of the Johnson
School’s Annual Fund, he had
just completed his assignment as
reunion chair for the MBA Class
of ’73. “It was a heartwarming
experience, reaching out to
alums, some of whom I hadn’t
talked to in many years,” he
says. “I had excellent support
working with the alumni office.
They provided historical data,
assistance with mailings, alumni
contacts, and they were eager
to try new things.” Buoyed by that success, Russell agreed
to take on this new challenge. “I’ve had a few ideas for
enhancing national fundraising, some garnered from the
success of the Class of ’73 campaign. So I said yes.”
As reunion chair, Russell made a significant gift to the
Annual Fund and challenged his classmates to match it. The
Annual Fund “gives the dean flexibility. It’s an important
leg of the financial base that the school depends on,” says
Russell. “To the extent that we can expand Annual Fund
support, it will enhance opportunities at the Johnson School
and better position the school to compete for top faculty and
students nationally and globally.”
Russell, whose bachelor’s degree is in mechanical
engineering, calls his overall experience as a Cornell student
“very formative. My undergraduate studies helped develop
me from a technical and an analytical standpoint, and the
business school provided me with a well-rounded degree in
accounting, finance, and marketing. Cornell provided the
foundation for my success in business. My interest now
is in giving back to the school so that others can share an
outstanding educational experience.”
“The Annual Fund will … better position
the school to compete for top faculty and
students nationally and globally.”
THE JOHNSON SCHOOL ANNUAL REPORT 2007–08
9