When our graduating students crossed the finish line in May, Wharton’s campus was in a period of high optimism. That is as it should be. The Class of 2012 came to us because they were determined to change their lives—and maybe even one day the world.
Now they are moving on, armed with new knowledge to be put into action throughout their careers. While they must leave our campus to do this, they certainly do not leave Wharton. Instead, they join our lifelong community: one of the largest and most influential alumni networks of any business school. Wharton alumni never cease to impress. They continue to share insights at gatherings such as Reunion and at our celebrated Global Alumni Forums, held this year in Milan from May 17 to 18 and in Jakarta from June 22 to 23. They remain connected via mentoring networks and affinity clubs, and with faculty via online educational offerings, including the award-winning Knowledge@Wharton, now with 2 million subscribers across five international editions. Our alumni stay in the loop, and they stay hungry for new ideas.
Their lifelong engagement with Wharton knowledge and with each other is something that distinguishes them. It is thoughtful. It is forward-thinking and generous. Certainly, it is Wharton.
Ben Franklin knew that “an investment in knowledge pays the best interest,” and with that in mind we are proud to launch our newest graduates into a gratifying lifetime of learning. We are grateful because we know that they will be in good company—wherever in the world they may go.
Thomas S. Robertson
Dean and Reliance Professor of Management and Private Enterprise
