$10 Million Given To Honor Departing Dean

Paul Danos' fingerprints are on every aspect of the Tuck School of Business

Paul Danos’ fingerprints are on every aspect of the Tuck School of Business

It’s not unusual for a business school to announce yet another multi-million-dollar donation for a new building or an endowed professorship. But it’s a rare day when a school can say that it raised $10 million to honor a departing dean.

As his days in the job dwindle down to a precious few, Tuck School of Business Dean Paul Danos has to know he is greatly appreciated. More than 50 alumni and friends of the Tuck and Dartmouth College have contributed to an endowment of $10 million to name the business school’s deanship in honor of Paul Danos, Poets&Quant‘s Dean of the Year in 2014.

During his two decades of leadership, Danos raised Tuck’s global reputation while maintaining the school’s emphasis on community. He increased the number of full-time faculty from 34 to 55, established the Business Bridge Program for undergraduates, and raised the school’s standing in global MBA program rankings. Danos also enhanced Tuck’s collaborations with other Dartmouth schools and departments, benefiting both undergraduate and graduate students.

‘DANOS IS EVERYTHING ANY INSTITUTION COULD WANT IN A BUSINESS SCHOOL DEAN’

“Paul Danos is everything any institution could want in a business school dean,” said Dartmouth College President Phil Hanlon ’77 in a statement. “Paul is a visionary with a global outlook who recognizes trends before others do. He’s totally focused on the student experience and, as an administrator, he’s a leader who treats every member of his team with respect.”

The endowment, announced May 8 at an event in Danos’ honor, will support future deans in perpetuity, thereby freeing up funds for other priorities at the school.

Alumni who joined forces to contribute to the endowment are enthusiastic in their praise of Danos.

THE HIGHEST ANNUAL GIVING PARTICIPATION RATE AMONG ANY BUSINESS SCHOOLS

“Paul has really transformed Tuck,” said David Southwell, Tuck ’88, a member of the Tuck Board of Overseers. “He’s changed the curriculum, built new buildings, and raised a huge amount of money. What’s unique is that he’s been able to expand the school while keeping the culture the way it is. One of the things that we Tuckies love about the school is its intimate feel. Paul has kept that while offering a world-class set of programs.”

Edward Glassmeyer, Tuck ’68, an overseer who contributed to the endowment, said Tuck continues to rank among the most respected business schools in the nation in large part because of Danos’ efforts.

“Student satisfaction is a measure by itself that enhances Tuck’s reputation,” he added. “The by-products of that include the highest annual giving participation rate among B-schools and a growing endowment. Tuck also consistently achieves among the highest placement rates and compensation levels for its graduates. For 20 years, Paul has completely devoted himself to the well-being of Tuck, its students, and its alumni, and for that reason I’m proud to support this endowment.”

In addition to the endowment gifts, another 100 alumni and faculty have recognized Danos by establishing a fund to provide Tuck with resources for curricular innovation and faculty excellence. This innovation fund will support what the school called leading-edge initiatives that have been a hallmark of Danos’ tenure, such as the Business Bridge Program and collaborating with The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice to create the Master of Health Care Delivery Science program.

Although he is stepping down at the end of June, Danos is not leaving Tuck or Dartmouth. He will be advising President Hanlon on several projects and teaching a course at Tuck. Professor of Management Matthew Slaughter, currently associate dean for faculty at Tuck, will succeed Danos at the beginning of July.

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