Professor Tropp begins a blog

English Professor Martin Tropp has begun a blog. Welcome to the blogosphere!

http://martytropp.blogspot.com/

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Endowment News

College and university endowments have been in the news of late. The National Association of College and University Business Officers has released a study on the status of endowments in the United States. Here is another piece on rates of return in endowments.

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William Henry Cruickshank, Jr. BSBA 1949

Bill Cruickshank turns 80 today. Is there anyone who doesn't know that Bill is one of Babson's great treasures? Before Babson, Bill was a decorated member of the 10th Mountain Division. This ski-trained unit fought the mountains, weather, and the Nazis in Italy. Bill graduated with the Class of 1949, Babson's first big post WWII class, earning the new three year Bachelor of Science in Business Adminstration. After graduation he became involved in the Alumni Association initally at the local level in Boston. In 1981 he was elected President of the Babson College Alumni Assocaition. While Bill spent most of his professional career with David L. Babson of Cambridge he has also been a teacher, writer, and member of various boards including being a member of the Corporation of Babson College. (He has been a husband and father, too, but I can't speak to that.) After retiring from D. L. Babson he went to work full time for the Alumni Office of the College. In 1988 he shared the honor of Volunteer of the Year with his fellow '49er" Howard Goff. (An imposing pair to say the least!) In 1994 Babson College named its alumni leadership award for him (Cruickshank Alumni Leadership Award).

It took me a while to "impose" myself on him but soon discovered that it was not an imposition. From our first meeting he was generous with his time, he was patient with my questions, and he shared his knowledge of the institution and its members with wonderful clarity and candor. Above I began a statement with "Before Babson" and it occurs to me that it is difficult to believe that there was ever such a time at Babson that one might call "before Bill Cruickshank."

I wish you a very happy birthday Bill!

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Commencement 2005

I saw this bumper sticker on Finance Professor Richard Bliss's office door. It seems an appropriate thought for all of those receiving degrees at Babson College today. Best wishes and good luck to you all.

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Follow your Bliss.

Maybe Spring Has Finally Arrived at Babson.

This "Flower of Kent" (also known as "Pride of Kent") apple tree was planted on the campus in 1954. This tree is a scion from the William Penn Estate in Pennsylvania. The William Penn Estate purchased had their tree from Kew Gardens in London. The original tree at Woolsthorpe Manor fell during a storm during the early 19th century when a cutting was taken which Kew grew trees from. In the background you can see one of two scions (fifth generation) of our "Newton" apple tree.

I am taking this afternoon and tomorrow off. More on Monday when this year's Senior Week begins.

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"Newton" Apple Tree. 2005

Campus Hill Location Dial

The campus has gone through many changes in 80 plus years. The original campus layout had its center where the upper athletic fields are today (where Commencement will take place on May 21st.) In 1926 the Pacific Coast Sales Force for the Babson Statistical Organization (Harrison C. Hall, Harry L. Grubbs, and Anna H. Dart) contributed $300 toward the Location Dial which would mark the center of the campus. George F. Marlowe, the architect who designed most of our early buildings, designed the dial which was built by contractor Edward Pomeroy. The outer ring has compass directions and in small metal letters local landmarks of the day are identified.

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(Location Dial. Gift of BSO Pacific Coast Sales. 1926.)

Babson's First Student Fullbright Scholarship Winner

Babson College is extremely proud to announce that Julian Simcock, Class of 2005, has been awarded a Fulbright Scholarship. Julian is the first Babson student ever to become a Fulbright Scholar!

The Fulbright Scholar Program is a prestigious and highly competitive program that is designed for U.S. citizens who wish to lecture or conduct research abroad. The program promotes mutual understanding and benefit through contributions to host countries, and upon the return of the grantees to the United States, to their home institutions and/or networks of their professional colleagues.

Julian’s project is entitled, “A Study of Entrepreneurial Resources in the Western Cape”. Julian will travel to South Africa where he will study the business support services currently available to entrepreneurs in the townships of Kayelitsha and Kayamandi, specifically targeting individuals aged 24-34, who, despite no longer having access to secondary schooling, have enormous capacity to effect economic growth in the informal sector through entrepreneurial activity.

From Professor Patricia G. Greene
Dean, Undergraduate School
President's Endowed Chair in Entrepreneurship

Kent State University Special Collections May 4th Project

Kent State University has a link to information on the events of May 4, 1970.

Babson College Reacts to Shootings at Kent State University, May 4, 1970

Telegram sent to President Nixon May 7, 1970