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In 2001, the ��ñ����’s business school entered a defining new chapter.��

During a moment of national uncertainty, Mike Leeds (Fin’74) announced his intent to name the school the Leeds School of Business. Grounded in generosity and purpose, the decision helped shape a clear vision for the future of business education at ��ñ����.

For the Leeds family, naming the school was never about legacy alone. “Our goal was not just to name a school,” Leeds explained. “It was intended for the school to stand for something important and become a more influential school.

“When I think about that day in 2001, it was following a tough time after 9/11, and we felt everyone needed some good news,” he said. “We felt that taking a leadership position for the school to focus on social responsibility and ethics was a step in the right direction.”

That effort crystallized around the values of ethics, social responsibility and leadership and a commitment to increasing the diversity of our student body, faculty and staff.

Today, the principles Michael Leeds and his family sought to instill in the next generation of business leaders are embedded throughout the school’s coursework, research and community ethos. They have become synonymous with what it means to study and practice business at Leeds.

“It makes me very proud that ethics, diversity and sustainability define Leeds today, and we talk about business as a force for good.” He smiled when he reflected on that value proposition: “I think, gosh—that nails it.”