When Tom Battle MBA’95 began emailing his classmates with an idea for a ten-year reunion and a class gift, he never dreamed how big the idea would grow.

A financial advisor for Smith Barney, Battle returns to Williamsburg most years for a class golf outing. But this year, he and his classmates wanted to give something back to the School of Business.

“Leadership was a cornerstone of our business education,” Battle said. “What better way to demonstrate our leadership than to step up and set an example for other classes to follow.”

In October 2005, the group presented a symbolic check for $70,000 to Dean Larry Pulley at the School’s Homecoming reception. The check represented pledges from 26 alumni  toward the School’s new business building and for faculty support. It marked the dedication of these friends to each other and to the School. 

The reunion gift helped to connect classmates from across the globe. Many could not make it back to campus but wanted to participate, such as Seiji Moriya MBA’95 living in Tokyo, Japan and Jennifer Quartana Guetoff MBA’95 in Berlin, Germany. “Pledging to the class gift is the least I can do for a school that has done so much for me,” said Quartana Guetoff.

Several members of the 1995 class also found a way to make a difference inside the classroom. Tim CoyneSmith of Lenovo, Betsy Griggs of MetLife and IT consultant Kevin McDonald exchanged career insights at the annual MBA Career Panels, an event that connected more than 30 business alumni with current MBA students.

The leadership demonstrated by the MBA Class of 1995 was an inspiration to Andres Salinas MBA’96 and several others who have since embarked on similar reunion gift efforts.  The MBA Class of 1996 raised more than $104,000 in pledges and gifts in 2006 under Salinas’ leadership. Their support will sponsor an MBA gathering area in Alan B. Miller Hall.

For information about MBA Class Reunion Giving, contact Kimberly Sperling at kimberly.sperling@mason.wm.edu