A Legacy Dinner That Serves Up Diversity and Inclusion

The Most Diverse Class in History

This year, students across all of the Booth programs were invited to take part, allowing more than 100 people to come together in the space. Booth faculty including Linda E. Ginzel, clinical professor of managerial psychology, Amy Hilliard, adjunct associate professor of strategy, and Pietro Veronesi, deputy dean for faculty and the Chicago Board of Trade Professor of Finance, were also in attendance.

Jessica Jaggers, dean of students and associate dean of student life, fondly recalls attending the gatherings in the Fogels’ home. Students would sit balancing plates on their lap, trying not to knock over drinks on the floor. Guests who arrived for the formal event without a tie were asked to borrow one from the host. Decades later, the purpose of the gathering hasn’t changed.

“There is something about entering a room and instantly feeling a level of connection and comfort,” she says. “Seeing people who you know have likely shared similar experiences or are invested in your success is deeply meaningful.”

For students, it’s a valuable chance to see the Booth community come together.

“I was humbled by the number of Black and brown faces in the room,” says Erin Branton, an engineer who plans to pivot into brand management after graduating from the Full-Time MBA Program. “It’s one thing to hear that this is Booth’s most diverse class in history, but to be among them is a different experience.” Branton also seized the opportunity to ask for class recommendations from students in the Evening MBA and Weekend MBA Programs—accomplished professionals from around the country whom she normally might not have the chance to connect with.

For Franco Calle, a PhD candidate who emigrated from Peru, the gathering helped foster the need for connection as he completes his doctorate in economics. “This dinner highlighted the importance of building a trustworthy network based on friendship and a sense of community,” he says.

Evening student Gabriela Arismendi says the “dinner feels like a really warm, special event that provides an opportunity to network with Booth faculty and students.” For Arismendi, who is also a data strategist for Chicago Public Schools and plans to continue work in the government or nonprofit sector after graduation, it was also a good opportunity to expand her network beyond the students she meets in class.

Now it’s up to a new generation to build on the Fogels’ accomplishments, Pace-Moody told the crowd. “A community of advocates and allies and friends will continue on with their legacy,” she says. This year was the first time students from the entire program including Full-time, Evening, Weekend, Executive and PhD, took part.

After the speeches, Pace-Moody rang the bell, announcing, “Dinner is served,” in keeping with the Fogel tradition. The students were happy to take their first bite.