Message from the President

Now that you have read the announcement of a $21.3 million bequest from the Hope Bartnett Belloc Trust, please join me in celebrating this defining moment in Menlo College's rich history.

This incredible generosity could not have come at a better time.

We are at the beginning stages of reinventing ourselves as Silicon Valley's Business School, a designation we do not take lightly.

Menlo is aiming for nothing less than regaining its reputation as a nationally ranked, prominent business management college, one that produces entrepreneurial, innovative graduates who will flourish as leaders in a constantly shifting job market.

The cornerstone provided by a $21.3 million bequest will help us reach out to the Silicon Valley community to act as a partner in creating a practical—and relevant—business program in the heart of one of the world's most innovative and entrepreneurial geographical areas.

We want our students to gain real-world experience that can't be found in the pages of a textbook. To survive in these economically turbulent times, graduates need to be able to think quickly and seize upon whatever opportunities arise.

The seeds for our success can be found in the story of the Bellocs themselves.

Martin Belloc is a sterling example of what I like to call "individualized mentorship," the process through which students receive the benefit of our faculty and staff's wisdom and experience. The College's traditionally intimate class sizes encourage such interaction, and Judge Russell himself took Martin under his wing to make sure the young man understood just how important it is to hold high standards for one's self and education.

That brand of compassionate and forthright guidance stuck with Mrs. Belloc years after her son left Menlo and compelled her to invest in our school's future. It is proof positive that our core values are key ingredients to the College's continued relevance in the 21st century.

I am extremely grateful to Mrs. Belloc for displaying such extraordinary faith in us, and am more than confident that Menlo will live up to such expectations for years to come.