From the Dean

Oct. 2, 2025

Dear Jepson Alumni and Friends,

Our fall semester is in full swing! Lively discussions emanate from classrooms, and students occupy every nook and cranny of Jepson Hall as they study and collaborate on group projects.

The semester got off to a great start with the recognition of three Jepson faculty at Colloquy, the opening ceremony of the University’s academic year: David Wilkins received the Distinguished Educator Award; Christopher von Rueden, the Distinguished Scholarship Award; and Tom Shields, the Distinguished Faculty Service Award. Last week, the Bonner Center for Civic Engagement bestowed its Community-Engaged Teaching Award on Julian Hayter.   

Equally as exciting, on Aug. 26 I announced the Cramer Family Faculty Fellowship and inaugural faculty fellow Christopher von Rueden. Made possible by the generosity of a family that has long championed the Jepson School, the fellowship supports faculty research.

This summer, over 60 Jepson seniors observed and practiced leadership during their credit-bearing internships in the corporate, government, and nonprofit sectors. Half received Burrus Fellowships to support their work. This week and last during our internship class, these seniors heard from 13 alumni who shared tips on the job recruitment and interviewing process and on applying to graduate school.

Our faculty spent the summer conducting research and presenting it at national and international conferences. In June, the Jepson and Robins Schools co-hosted the History of Economics Society’s annual meeting, attended by 100 economists from 17 countries.

Football great Desmond Howard kicked off this year’s Jepson Leadership Forum on Sept. 10 with a discussion of sports leadership. Political philosopher Diana Schaub gave a fascinating talk on Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address two nights ago at the year’s first McDowell Institute public lecture.

This is only the beginning of what promises to be an exhilarating year at the Jepson School! Please join us for upcoming campus events, including Oct. 17 – 19 for Homecoming and Feb. 15 for EDGE, the school’s alumni-led professional development program for juniors.

Thank you for the many ways you contribute to the Jepson School. We hope to see you soon!

Warmest wishes,

Sandra J. Peart
Dean and E. Claiborne Robins Distinguished Professor in Leadership Studies
President, Jepson Scholars Foundation