This spring, the School welcomed a record number of alumni and guests to campus for 2008 reunion celebrations, and the School’s Annual Dinner, chaired by Henry Kravis ’69, honored Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke and Russ Carson ’67. I enjoyed renew-ing acquaintances, making new friends and sharing time with colleagues, but what really struck me about these events was the unwavering commitment of our community to the long-term vitality of the School.

Our School’s mission is to educate future business leaders and to develop ideas that make the practice of business better. Both are predicated on a virtuous cycle: just as the School played a crucial role in your success, you factor enormously into the contributions tomorrow’s students will make to the world at large.

Alumni lend their energy and expertise in so many ways: by mentoring students and graduates, speaking in classes or at events, collaborating with Columbia CaseWorks to develop new teaching materials, serving on reunion committees and volunteering as fund-raisers or spokespersons. Your involvement strengthens a network that represents the School’s most powerful asset and enables it to appreciate over time. As the network grows and your careers develop, you become ever more important to each other as sources of new ideas and opportunities.

In this issue of HERMES, we profile alumni who are involved in new social networking ventures. Read about our new core curriculum, which has been revised to offer increased flexibility while retaining the analytical rigor for which we are known. You can also read Professor Bernd Schmitt’s recommendations for executing bold ideas with worthy strategies in an adaptation of a chapter from his book Big Think Strategy.

Thank you for showing your support for Columbia Business School. By your involvement you not only support future generations of alumni but also enhance the value of our shared asset, the Columbia Business School brand.