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Giving
USF Celebrates School of Management’s 100th Anniversary at Centennial Gala
More than 330 guests — including USF School of Management faculty, staff, students, members of the USF Board of Trustees, university leadership, multiple generations of alumni, and business leaders were in attendance for the School of Management Centennial Gala. The black tie event, hosted by SOM alumnus Phil Spiegel ’94 at the Conservatory at One Sansome, commemorated the school’s 100 years of excellence in business education.
The USF community gathered in San Francisco’s financial district last week to reflect on a century of growth and evolution at the School of Management. Ahead of the event, the school received a Mayoral Proclamation recognizing Sept. 25, 2025 as the “School of Management Day in San Francisco.” During the celebration, School of Management Dean Otgontsetseg “Otgo” Erhemjamts presented USF Trustee Jeff Silk ’87 with the school's first Heart of a Don award — recognizing his generous support throughout the years. Andrew Jack, global education editor of the Financial Times, addressed the crowd as keynote speaker, sharing insights on global business education.
“From the gorgeous venue, to the smiles on the faces of our guests, it was a truly special evening,” said Interim Vice President, Development, Jayme Burke. “This was a once-in-a-century opportunity to come together, in the heart of the city’s thriving business district, in support of USF and everything the School of Management stands for. I’m grateful to all of the friends and community members who are continually so generous — ensuring that for the next 100 years and beyond, the school will continue to innovate and educate business leaders who are rooted in Jesuit values and committed to positive change.”
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The contemporary School of Management’s antecedent, the College of Commerce and Finance, originally enrolled 80 students in 1925. Today, the school enrolls more than 1,400 undergraduate and graduate students and boasts a thriving community of 50,000 alumni living around the world.
“Our goal at the School of Management is to educate more than successful business leaders — it’s to help mold resilient, socially responsible individuals who strive to uplift their communities and contribute to the greater good,” said Dean Otgo. “This event provided a unique opportunity to reflect on the school’s pioneering legacy — providing a high-quality, professional education for over 100 years — while looking towards our future and being ambitious. I thank each attendee, our alumni, faculty, staff, students, Dean’s Circle Advisory Board members, the board, President Aceves, Provost Fung, and San Francisco’s business community for their support. I’m filled with optimism for the future.”
Learn about how you can support another 100 years of resilient, socially responsible business professionals who learn and develop at USF’s School of Management.
