Entrepreneurial leaders find problems and solve them. They focus on people and relationships. And they create economic and social value at the same time.
After a distinguished career as an entrepreneur and philanthropist, Arthur M. Blank ’63, H’98 has been recognized as one of the world’s most exemplary entrepreneurial leaders.
Blank, the famous co-founder of Home Depot, owns the Blank Family of Businesses, including the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, MLS’s Atlanta United, the PGA Tour Superstore and Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium. and operates. His business is based on his six core values, putting customers and fans at the center and working to improve the community.
He was an early signer of “The Giving Pledge,” and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation now commits more than $1 billion to support a wide range of impactful initiatives across the United States.
White space was recognized by forbes He has been named one of the 100 Greatest Living Business Minds in the World and one of America’s Top 50 Givers.he was there sports business journalHe was named ESPN’s Sports Executive of the Year in 2018 and ESPN’s Sports Philanthropist of the Year in 2021.
His experience and example will help empower and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders, especially at his alma mater, Babson College.
Blank will return to Babson this month to address the Class of 2024 at the university’s Commencement Ceremony on May 11 at the Wellesley Campus.
“It’s always special to come back to Babson every chance I get, and it’s even more special to be a part of the graduation ceremony,” Blank said. “Graduation is an exciting time for students and I am truly honored to be a part of this milestone moment.”
blank and babson
Blank Babson’s roots run deep. During a visit to campus in 2020, he recalled meeting Roger Babson once at a Founders’ Day event. As an undergraduate, Blank sowed the seeds for his future success until 1963, when he graduated in three years.
Blank eventually entered Babson’s Distinguished Entrepreneur Academy® in 1995 and an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the same university in 1998.
“There are so many great moments and memories at Babson,” Blank said. “But what has always stood out to me is that I had the opportunity to really tap into my entrepreneurial spirit during my time here. I started a collecting business, and I fondly remember that creativity was celebrated when I was here, and it’s clearly still a priority on campus today.”
Today’s creative, innovative, and entrepreneurial campus is shaped by Mr. Blank’s commitment to the college and his investments in its programs, faculty, and students.
“One of the University’s greatest supporters, Arthur has had a revolutionary impact on entrepreneurial education in our community,” said Babson President Dr. Stephen Spinelli Jr. MBA’92.
“It’s always special to come back to Babson every chance I get, and it’s also special to be a part of graduation ceremonies. Graduation is an exciting time for students, and it’s great to be a part of this milestone moment. I’m really honored to be able to do this.”
Arthur M. Blank ’63, H’98
Mr. Blank’s generosity helped launch the Arthur M. Blank Center for Entrepreneurship. The center was founded by him in 1998 and celebrated its 25th anniversary last fall. The Blank Center is a major hub of incubation, acceleration and sorting for entrepreneurs and is home to the world’s largest entrepreneurship-focused faculty.
Mr. Blank also made a groundbreaking $50 million gift from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation in 2019 to help expand Mr. Babson’s focus on entrepreneurial leadership. This historic investment facilitated the creation of the Haring Family Entrepreneurial Leadership Village and helped establish the Arthur M. Blank School. There are six of the college’s world-renowned centers and institutes, including the Blank Center.
“It is truly a humbling honor that this school and program exists,” Blank said. “My only wish for them is to follow their dreams and be a force in this world based on positive values.”
The gift also established the Arthur M. Blank School for Entrepreneurial Leadership Scholars. The school is her four-year, full-tuition scholarship for high-achieving and high-potential students. The first scholars are scheduled to graduate this spring and will have the opportunity to hear directly from Mr. Blank at their graduation ceremony. Blank’s advice to them is: “Always stay true to your values and believe in your ability to achieve greatness. The future is what you create and that pressure is a blessing.”
values-based leadership
Blank’s influence at Babson also helped drive the university’s emphasis on values-based leadership.
In 2020, Blank wrote a best-selling business book. good companyIn , he shares his vision and roadmap for values-based leadership. He also outlines his six core values that are the foundation of the business. We put people first, we listen and respond, we include everyone, we continually innovate, we lead by example, and we give back. is. Blank returned to Babson’s campus in fall 2020 and had a fireside conversation with Spinelli to discuss core values and values-based leadership.
“There are so many great moments and memories at Babson. But what will always stand out for me is the opportunity I had to truly develop my entrepreneurial spirit during my time here.”
Arthur M. Blank ’63, H’98
Blank’s core values have served as building blocks for Blank School. good company is the inspiration for a unique course called Good Company, Good Game: Law, Ethics and Leadership in Sports Businesses. This course is created and taught by Leslie Garbarino, assistant professor of practice, and takes Blank to Atlanta to experience first-hand how his six core values shape his business family. includes his week-long trip. Mr. Blank also meets with his students during the week to share leadership advice. This course has been particularly inspirational for students pursuing a career in sport.
Inspired by Mr. Blank’s example and empowered by the opportunities he helped build at Babson, students graduate as entrepreneurial leaders prepared to lead according to their values.
“Values mean different things to different people,” Blank says. “I think it’s essential for students to identify what’s important to them, stick to it, and believe in it. If you believe in what you’re doing, work won’t feel like work; You will feel like you have a purpose.”
Categories: Community, Entrepreneurial Leadership
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