Ivey celebrated its 100-year legacy of real-world leadership by looking ahead to ways it can magnify its impact on business and society in the next century.
At the School’s 100th-anniversary kick-off event on January 17, Dean Sharon Hodgson unveiled the official centennial logo – the number 100 with zeros resembling cogs of a wheel. The logo was displayed in the Grand Hall of the building and emblazoned on special Ivey caps donned by faculty and staff at the event. Hodgson also announced the 100th-anniversary marketing campaign, fittingly called “The Future We See.” The campaign features Ivey faculty, staff, students, and alumni reflecting on the future and will appear online, in publications, and at prominent locations in various cities throughout the year.
“As we celebrate a century of innovation and leadership at our business school, we acknowledge that Ivey is a huge part of Western’s past and future success,” said President Alan Shepard. “We look forward to building on that proud legacy and continuing to make the most of the vital contributions Ivey makes to our wider campus community.”
The future for Ivey
Encouraging attendees to participate in the campaign, Hodgson shared her vision for the School’s future. Hodgson said she sees a future where Ivey will innovate learning while offering the best business education, lead dialogue on critical issues and develop research to move these issues forward, and become a lifelong partner in its community’s success.
“The future I see is full of promise and opportunity,” she said. “We’ll be an organization dedicated to lifelong learning for ourselves and for our alumni. And I see the Ivey community leading global change.”
Hodgson outlined the many ways Ivey staff, faculty, and alumni can give back to the community through upcoming centennial activities. This includes planting 100 trees with ReForest London, or participating in volunteer initiatives in locations around the world for the School’s annual Global Ivey Day on May 11.
“One of the really great ways that we are acknowledging our anniversary is to give back to the community in ways that exemplify our purpose and mission,” said Hodgson. “While we mark the day here in London, alumni around the world are being challenged to do something to give back in their local community, multiplying our impact.”
Community-focused centennial events
Hodgson revealed other ways the School will mark the milestone and share its history with the local community, which include:
- A community clean-up event in April as part of the London Clean & Green initiative;
- A potential Habitat for Humanity building project in the summer;
- An Open House in September in conjunction with Doors Open London;
- A symposium in Toronto on The Future We See on November 9, following the School’s annual Business Leader Award Dinner;
- Various alumni chapter events around the world throughout the year;
- A new expanded edition of the Ivey history book, Learning to Lead;
- An experiential learning conference hosted by Ivey Publishing and promotion of cases from the last 100 years;
- A centennial-themed Leadership in Practice livestream event and podcast series from The Ivey Academy;
- Stories and photos showcasing Ivey’s history on the School’s website and social media channels;
- History-themed social media campaigns, such as Trivia Tuesdays and Throwback Thursdays; and,
- Limited-edition centennial merchandise from the Ivey Trading Company.
Celebrating Ivey’s legacy of real-world leadership
Calling the centennial a “pivotal point in time,” Hodgson acknowledged Ivey’s strong legacy of teaching, research, and outreach and its distinction as first in Canada on many fronts. This includes:
- The first HBA in 1922;
- The first and only school in Canada committed to case-method learning;
- The first MBA and Executive Education program, both in 1948;
- The first PhD in business program in 1961;
- The first to open a campus in Asia in 1998;
- The first and only Canadian business school to partner with the CEMS Global Alliance in Management Education in 2010; and,
- The first Women in Asset Management Program in 2022.
Citing Ivey’s growth over the years, Hodgson said one constant remained: the School’s unique and transformational student experience based on case-method learning that prepares future leaders for real-world business decision-making. She noted that one in two Ivey alumni hold senior leadership positions with their organizations.
“Today, the real-world case-method approach to business education that distinguished Ivey in its pioneering years is as strong as ever and continues to differentiate Ivey graduates,” she said.
Moving into the next century
Hodgson told how the new Ivey Next strategy will build on that legacy and form the foundation for the next 100 years. The strategy challenges Ivey to address critical issues facing business and society and includes the new purpose, “Inspiring leaders for a sustainable and prosperous world.”
“We are very much looking forward to the next century with renewed purpose,” she said. “The energy in this room today inspires me even more. I’m so excited to write the next chapter of the next 100 years with you.”
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