CHARLES C. ABBOTT AWARD
Prudential CEO Strangfeld Awarded Top Alumni Honor
J
ohn R. Strangfeld Jr. (MBA ’77) has a passion: supporting veterans of the American Armed Forces as they transition into civilian professional careers. His achievements recruiting talented military officers to Darden and supporting them while enrolled, including establishing the John and Mary Kay Strangfeld Military Scholarship Fund in 2005, were key in the School recognizing Strangfeld with the highest honor it bestows on alumni: the Charles C. Abbott Award. The award is presented annually to a graduate of the Darden MBA program or The Executive Program for outstanding contributions of time, energy and talent. Strangfeld, who has served for 12 years as a member of the Darden School Foundation Board of Trustees, including two as president, said he finds Darden’s mission the most motivating factor driving his commitment to the School. His decadelong effort to support military veterans has opened Darden up to — and allowed the School to benefit from — a previously untapped group of high-caliber military leaders. “This was a group of people who were particularly well suited [to transition] from successful leadership roles in military life to successful leadership roles in business life through an MBA at Darden,” said Strangfeld, chair and CEO of Prudential Financial Inc. Thanks to his efforts, 20 to 30 military students enroll at Darden each year. From left: Dean Bob Bruner; Karen Edwards, chair of the Alumni Association Board of Directors; Mary Kay Strangfeld; John R. Strangfeld Jr.; Dean Designate Scott Beardsley; and Michael Woodfolk, senior executive director of engagement strategies.
SPRING/SUMMER 2015
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