Fall 2024 Note from Institutional Advancement

Purposeful Giving Fosters Success

This issue’s theme of finding purpose is a powerful lens for our work in advancement, as we continually find inspiration from the incredible stories and achievements of our alumni and benefactor community. It is remarkable how deeply committed, engaged, and motivated Carlson School alumni are, acting as forces for good in their careers, communities, and on behalf of the Carlson School.

I was honored to join Dean Jamie Prenkert in his first year of travels to meet with alumni across the country and around the world. We had the privilege of visiting you in six countries and 13 cities, making connections with more than 3,500 alumni and friends of the school, and learning more about the people who make this community so special. 

Throughout those travels and visits, I was struck by the endless examples of alumni leading across disciplines and sectors, advancing solutions to sticky problems, and moving our communities, cities, and country forward—to raise up all corners of our society. It is clear that the education and mindset fostered by our school’s faculty, and embraced by our students and alumni, has created a rich collective of individuals who have found purpose in their work, well beyond the bottom line.

We are thrilled to share that last year marked the second-best philanthropic year in the school’s history. This is a further testament to the commitment of the community of Carlson School benefactors. Your generosity continues to make it possible for us to recruit the most promising students regardless of financial background, attract and retain brilliant faculty, and provide the real-world experiences that prepare students for success in their careers.

To all alumni, I thank you for being a part of this phenomenal community and serving as an inspiration as we continue to advance the Carlson School!
 

Sincerely, 

Jess Kowal 
Assistant Dean, Institutional Advancement