Tag: dedication

Jackson Ling is a distinguished alumnus, noted businessman, and dedicated supporter of the John M. Olin School of Business. His daughter Kathy and son Ozzie are both alumni of Olin as well. On Thursday, December 11, we celebrated the naming of the Lin-Kuei Jackson Ling Classroom.

Jackson served in the Taiwanese military before taking a job as sales representative for the Singer Sewing Machine Company. He excelled in sales and entered the international trading market and went on to run a small lighting manufacturing company. In 1993 he founded Enhance Neon, which is now the world’s largest neon sign manufacturer. The company expanded into real estate, hospitality, entertainment and biomedical industries in 2002.

Jackson strongly encourages students to continue their involvement with Washington University as alumni. In fact during his remarks at the Ling classroom dedication he told all the students in Executive MBA Shanghai Class 12 that they should participate in alumni activities, visit the campus as well as give back to Olin. Jackson wanted to name the classroom to encourage others to inspire Olin students to, “be brave and chase after their dreams.”

Watch highlights of Ling dedication ceremony:

In case you missed the festive events of May 2 surrounding the Dedication of Knight Hall and Bauer Hall, we’ve got a video recap of the celebration on YouTube for your viewing pleasure.

There is also a video featuring an unedited version of the ceremony speeches.

For more photos from the Dedication events and plans for the renovation of Simon Hall, visit the Building Olin website.

May 2 marked the official dedication of Knight Hall and Bauer Hall as the newest additions to the Washington University Danforth Campus. Members of the Knight and Bauer families, the Chancellor, WUSTL Chairman of the Board Stephen F. Brauer, Emerson CEO David Farr, and other dignitaries were present for the ribbon cutting on the red carpet on Boles Plaza.

More than 1,000 alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends of Olin attended the formal Dedication Ceremony under a giant tent on Mudd Field.

George Bauer told the assembled guests that on a recent visit he stood outside the new building that bears his name to hear what students were saying about the $90 million facilities. “Awesome, dynamite,  and it blows me away,” were the three most frequent comments he heard—and he said he was in complete agreement with that assessment.

Overcast skies resulted in chilly afternoon temperatures, but just before the ribbon was cut and guests were invited to a reception in the new buildings, the clouds cleared and bright sunshine flooded the Atrium.

It was the first time for many of the guests to view the buildings that were constructed in less than two years and nearly double the footprint of Olin on the Danforth Campus. Guests were treated to appetizer buffets on every level of the buildings. A photo booth printed instant souvenirs for attendees with customized frames to mark the occasion.

Three student a cappella groups—the Greenleafs, the Stereotypes, and the Pikers—performed and the Tommy Halloran Guerilla Swing Band provided music for the gala that united professors and former students, classmates, and friends from across many of the business school’s programs and generations.

If you couldn’t join us for Dedication, the video is available online.

To watch the Dedication ceremony, click here.

You might have noticed some new faces along the walls of Knight Hall and Bauer Hall the past few weeks. Portraits of generous donors whose names grace our buildings, classrooms, and meeting spaces have been hung to honor their commitment to Olin and the University.

These are people who care deeply about educating smart and innovative business leaders. We’ve etched their words of advice and their hopes for our mission in stone.

Take a moment to read these words and the bios of these great benefactors.

We are all beneficiaries of their foresight, hard work, and determination that future generations will have these halls and classrooms to carry on our tradition of excellence in business education.

Landscapers, stonemasons, carpenters, and many other workers have been busy putting the finishing touches on Knight Hall and Bauer Hall in preparation for our Dedication weekend festivities.

Learn more about the art of etching names and words of wisdom in stone in this video:

March Madness came to a close this week with a huge crowd in the Frick Forum to watch the final game of the NCAA basketball tournament. More than 650 people watched the game on the big screen and enjoyed the buffet. The next celebration of our “4 Buildings. 1 Olin.” will focus on activities around Earth Day.

Last weekend we hosted 60 graduate and 48 undergraduate students who have been admitted to Olin, but haven’t decided yet if they will join us in the fall. They were an impressive group of students and evidence that we are continuing to attract top candidates. Thanks to all the current students, alumni, and faculty who helped welcome them. We look forward to the talents, enthusiasm, and energy they may bring to the classes of 2016 and 2018.

Dedication weekend, May 2 and 3, is only three weeks away! To honor the donors and officially dedicate Knight Hall and Bauer Hall, we will have a ribbon cutting ceremony at 4 p.m. on May 2, followed by a reception at 5 p.m.  On Saturday, we host a Business Symposium with an impressive list of CEOs and entrepreneurs to discuss the challenges that business faces in the 21st century. Many alumni and friends of the school will be here and I hope you will be able to join the festivities.