_Proposal-Lincoln

The Lincoln Legacy
at Thunderbird
Joan and David Lincoln

Good ethics
is good
business.
David Lincoln

The Lincoln Legacy
The Lincoln legacy at Thunderbird starts at the very beginning of the story
when John C. Lincoln joined a small group of visionaries in the Valley to
develop a school focused exclusively on international trade and global
relations. The goal was to train leaders who would set a path toward global
peace and economic prosperity, leaders who would change the world for the
better. Thunderbird was established in April 1946 and today has over 45,000
alumni globally carrying forth the mission to be ethical global leaders who
create sustainable prosperity worldwide. This vision is more vital today than
ever before.
Incredible individuals have left their mark on the Thunderbird School of Global
Management during its 73 year history – business leaders, diplomats, scholars,
practitioners, visionaries, innovators, humanitarians and philanthropists.
David Lincoln was clearly someone who embodied all of these attributes as
he advanced the vision of his father and fellow founders to develop ethical
global leaders. That core value remains a strength of the School today and is
evidenced at commencement where every Thunderbird graduate pledges an
oath that embraces the Lincoln legacy dedicated to instilling the value of ethics
and global citizenship in all Thunderbirds. That legacy ensures that being a
Thunderbird is synonymous with the highest levels of integrity and character
worldwide. Upon graduation, Thunderbirds step out into the world as ethical
global citizens.
David and Joan Lincoln were also foundational supporters of Thunderbird’s
need to grow and evolve. They were named sponsors of Thunderbird’s
first computer center, and contributed to every other major infrastructure
development the School undertook during David’s long tenure as a Trustee,
culminating in the Joan & David Lincoln Wing in the Herberger Administration
and Classroom Building.

Essential to the future of Thunderbird is a new facility that serves as a global
headquarters that connects us to the rest of the world. Our new state-of-the-art facility
will enable Thunderbird students to connect with the world and experience in real
time that which they seek to learn and study. We will unlock all that technology has to
offer within our formal learning environments with truly active and multi-dimensional
learning spaces that fully immerse our students in their discipline.
Visiting leaders will present in our Global Forum where their visits can become virtually
accessible on a global scale. Our Innovation Center will serve as a hub of experiential
activity for our students, complete with a global situation room and virtual reality
suites to prepare students for their fieldwork. The Center will host immersive language
technologies, the cutting edge in language acquisition, as Thunderbird fully reinstates
language education in its programs, while embracing new learning paradigms.
A walk through the new Thunderbird headquarters will be a journey through the
history of our School. Beginning with a look to the future in the atrium and Global
Forum, a new Thunderbird Globe will greet visitors, students, and alumni with realtime
exploration of our global Thunderbird community. The Globe will connect with
our 45,000 alumni and students through social media interaction, with activity and
locations being constantly updated and represented on this technology-enabled
globe.
Each of the five floors of the building feature regional lounges, celebrating our
heritage around the world. Historical kiosks throughout each floor remind all of
Thunderbird’s journey over its history.
Finally, on the roof level, the Thunderbird Pub will evoke the ethos of 1946 and the
Founding of Thunderbird. The Pub’s design will capture the spirit of the original
Glendale campus, while looking forward to the future of Thunderbird, showcasing the
modern skyline of downtown Phoenix, and the symbol of Thunderbird lit from the roof
into the Arizona night sky.

We have a unique opportunity to honor the tremendous
past and legacy of Thunderbird while setting our sights
to the future. Our vision is to build a global village in the
heart of Phoenix where we can show the world how to be
truly global citizens, building a generation of leaders for the
fourth industrial revolution.
Sanjeev Khagram, Dean & Director General
Thunderbird School of Global Management
Clockwise from left: Innovation Lab, Global Forum, The Pub.

The New Founders
The Lincoln family’s dedication and commitment to the Valley of the Sun
communities whether developing industries, health care centers, and arts
organizations, was most profoundly evidenced through David’s passion for
education. David was quoted as saying not long after he and Joan established
the first Thunderbird computer lab, “The spirit here is unique and there is
that Thunderbird mystique. I think it’s here to a large extent because of the
students.” He summed up by saying, “Its curriculum is unique and important –
crucial.”
While celebrating and honoring Thunderbird’s historic past, our new Global
Headquarters will embrace the future – a future we may only imagine through
the vision, aspiration, and philanthropic investment of our global community.
Just as General Yount did in 1946, we seek to engage a small group of leaders,
of New Founders, to make this next chapter for Thunderbird possible.
Our ask for those wishing to join the New Founders, is for a gift of $1 Million
in support of the Thunderbird Global Headquarters. To date, we have been
heartened by the support of alumni and friends of the School who have
enthusiastically joined this group to make the future possible for Thunderbird.
We would be honored for the Lincoln Family to continue the legacy John C.
Lincoln began over 70 years ago with the
Thunderbird School of Global Management. We respectfully request that the
family consider a gift of $1 Million as a New Founder. Thank you.

Thunderbird New Founders’ Circle
There will be an interactive
The Lincoln Family
wall in the gateway lobby to
the Global Forum celebrating
both the Original Founders and
the New Founders. Join us in
building this amazing future!

We are called to be the architects
of the future...
R. Buckminster Fuller