Faculty, Thought Leadership & Curricular Innovation

Attracting Top-tier Talent:
Strengthening Faculty Excellence

The Powered by Purpose campaign strengthens the recruitment of a new generation of top-tier faculty, ensuring the continuation of Darden’s tradition of excellence.

Accelerating Impact:
The UVA Bicentennial Professors Fund

The UVA Bicentennial Professors Fund was established by the Board of Visitors to attract the best and brightest faculty as a large group of professors near retirement during the campaign. Supporting this effort are significant contributions from donors such as:

• Frank M. Sands Sr. (MBA ’63) & Marjorie R. Sands, who created 12 professorships

• David M. LaCross (MBA ’78) & Kathleen O. LaCross

• Altec Styslinger Foundation

• James A. Cooper (MBA ’84) & Stacy Cooper

• H. William Coogan Jr. (MBA ’82) & Theresa Kost Riddle

Alumni Empowerment:
Leading-Edge Leadership Development

Alumni also play a crucial role in faculty development. For instance, a gift from Shannon Smith (MBA ’90) in 2018 launched the Initiative for Transformational Leadership and Learning. This multidisciplinary program develops and implements a scientifically verified curriculum and learning laboratory for leading-edge leadership development.

Revolutionizing Education:
Sands Institute for Lifelong Learning

The campaign is also committed to educational innovation, course development and accommodating diverse student needs. A $20 million endowment for the Sands Institute for Lifelong Learning, established in 2019 by Frank M. Sands Sr. (MBA ’63) & Marjorie R. Sands, determines best practices for teaching lifelong learners and working executives in both degree and non-degree programs. The institute empowers School faculty to redesign and innovate courses, curricula and programs to meet leaders at all stages of their careers.

Inspired by Legacy:
The Robert F. Bruner Fund for Transformational Learning

The Robert F. Bruner Fund for Transformational Learning, established in 2023 in honor of Dean Emeritus Bob Bruner, supports the development of the next generation of faculty and the creation of innovative teaching materials at Darden. Thanks to a lead gift from James A. Cooper (MBA ’84) & Stacy Cooper and support from many other Darden alumni, this fund provides crucial resources to support the world’s best faculty in developing the next generation of teachers and creating innovative teaching materials that set the foundation for a world-class education. Examples include helping our faculty create their own field-based cases, simulations and other materials to bring the creative learning process to life.

Pioneering Research:
Driving Thought Leadership

The campaign also fosters ground-breaking research and thought leadership in various sectors. The Richard A. Mayo Center for Asset Management and the Institute for Business in Society (IBIS), supported by Richard A. Mayo (MBA ’68) & Sara Page Mayo and George S. Tahija (MBA ’86) & Laurel Tahija, respectively, have benefited from the campaign’s focus on creating and supporting specific research centers and initiatives. The Mayo Center is instrumental in advancing the study and practice of responsible asset management on a global scale, emphasizing the promotion of responsible stewardship of wealth and the inspiration of citizen-leaders. IBIS is reshaping the perception of the role of business in society, emphasizing the potential of business to create a fairer, more productive, abundant and connected world.

Innovating for the Future:
Exploring AI and Ethics

The campaign helps explore exciting new research areas. For example, a $6.5 million bequest from David M. LaCross (MBA ’78) & Kathleen O. LaCross. The LaCross investment helps Darden establish momentum toward a future research center or initiative on managing artificial intelligence and ethics — an emerging challenge and opportunity for business and society. This effort augments Darden’s existing collaborations with the UVA School of Data Science and leverages the capabilities of Darden’s Institute for Business in Society and Olsson Center for Applied Ethics. It also helps Darden contribute toward UVA’s ambitious Grand Challenge Research Initiatives — of which “digital technology and society” is one of five focus areas. Such efforts are designed to complement the University’s current research portfolio.

Fostering Excellence in Research:
Strengthening Faculty Support

Other initiatives include the Venture Capital Initiative, Real Estate Initiative, Initiative for Transformational Leadership and Learning, and Business Innovation and Climate Change Initiative. These efforts, along with the new Office of Research Services, ensure that faculty have the support they need to conduct groundbreaking research and make an impact in the classroom, business and society.