JPMorgan Chase chief Jamie Dimon made international news following his appearance at the Business School’s 13th-annual Celebration of Success dinner on May 19, 2011. Dimon warned of economic catastrophe if the country defaulted on its loans, a scenario he predicted would “dwarf” the failure of the former banking titan, Lehman Bros.
Dimon delivered his hard-hitting remarks on the debt ceiling and other current issues to a sold-out audience of more than 650 business and education leaders. Thanks to their generosity, the Business School raised more than $270,000 for student scholarships. Over the years, the Celebration of Success event has generated $3.5 million in scholarship funding.
At this year’s Celebration dinner, the Business School announced a major gift from alumnus George H. Solich, CEO, and Tad Herz, CFO, of Cordillera Energy Partners for a state-of-the-art commodities center on the first floor of the new Business School building. When the center opens in January 2012, it will be the first in the country to focus on a broad array of commodities, leveraging Colorado’s rich energy, mineral and agricultural heritage.
Before the event, Dimon met privately with Business School scholarship students and answered their questions. The 2011 Celebration of Success scholarship honoree, Elizabeth Escobar, asked if he ever imagined running a $2.2 trillion company.
“I wanted to build something great, but I didn’t think it would be this great,” he replied.
Later in the evening, Escobar, a Reisher Scholar, took the stage to tell the story of her violence-plagued childhood in Guatemala, where she knew she was a top student but had no opportunities to make something of her life. “I felt trapped,” she said.
Her mother finally got the family a U.S. visa, and in 2008, they moved to the United States. Escobar now works two jobs while earning an accounting degree at the Business School.
“Thank you for celebrating my success by helping me achieve my dreams,” she said to a rapt audience.
-Posted May 23, 2011 by Marcia Heath
The 2010 Celebration of Success was a spectacular success, raising $200,000 in support of student scholarships. We thank the 325 friends of the Business School who attended and gave their wholehearted support to the cause.
The 2010 featured speaker was Sherry Lansing, a veteran leader in the entertainment business known for her visionary leadership of Paramount Studios. As University of California Regent, she is passionate about the role of higher education in bringing about positive social change. Lansing spoke and then engaged with Business School Dean Sueann Ambron in a dynamic armchair dialogue about business, careers and living a rewarding life.
Former U.S. Secretary of Labor, Robert Reich, spoke on "The Global Economy: China, India, Denver and the Future of Everything.”
Business School Dean Sueann Ambron welcomed more than 700 business and community leaders to the event and acknowledged the significance of their support.
“We're proud of this Business School that understands business and gives students a taste of the real thing,” said CU President Hank Brown in his introductory remarks. Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper introduced the evening’s featured speaker, Liberty Media Chairman John Malone. Malone, who holds degrees from Yale and Johns Hopkins, has had a long and successful career in telecommunications.
“Diplomacy: Persuasion, Trust and Values” form the triumvirate of diplomacy whether dealing with local business negotiations or international relations. No one knows this better than General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.). As one of the 21st century’s most fervent purveyors of democratic values, Powell understands the role of diplomacy in furthering universal ideals. He understands that persuasion, reason and trust building are critical tools in getting governments to cooperate for the common good.
The message was simple: Take charge and do what is right. Those are the leadership principles of General H. Norman Schwartzkopf (ret.), who was greeted with a standing ovation by more than 800 attendees at the 2003 Celebration of Success fund-raising dinner.
Rudolph Guiliani gave the keynote address.
Madeline Albright gave the keynote address.
Mikhail Gorbachev, former leader of the Soviet Union, gave the keynote address.
The former Prime Minister of Israel was the guest speaker in 1999.
Margaret Thatcher gave the keynote address.
President George Bush spoke on "The New Geopolitical Landscape: Why America must continue to lead and stay engaged in the world."
At the inaugural event, General Colin Powell gave the keynote address.