Read the full story, published by the Tuck School of Business.

The Tuck School of Business has announced the largest gift commitment in its history—a $25 million donation from the Bakala Foundation USA in support of Tuck’s global learning program.

The Bakala Foundation USA is the American family foundation of Michaela and Zdenek Bakala, Tuck ’89, a Czech-born investor, philanthropist, and member of Tuck’s board of advisers.

The gift consists of a foundational investment to endow TuckGO—the portfolio of for-credit immersive educational experiences that make up Tuck’s global learning requirement—and creates the Bakala Global Suite, the future home of the TuckGO offices and a hub of student, faculty, and staff collaboration.

“This is an incredible moment for Tuck and for the generations of students who will benefit from the Bakalas’ extraordinary generosity,” said Dean Matthew Slaughter. “Their gift ensures that TuckGO, already a vibrant and innovative part of learning at Tuck, will connect students even more to the world’s diversity, dynamism, and innovation.”

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The Bakala Foundation USA is the American family foundation of Michaela and Zdenek Bakala, Tuck ’89. (Photo courtesy of the Tuck School of Business) 

“Solving humankind’s most complex challenges requires leaders who can work effectively across cultures,” said President Philip J. Hanlon ’77. “Through Michaela and Zdenek’s inspiring investment, Tuck will remain at the forefront of developing such global business leaders. We are all tremendously grateful for their vision and commitment.”

Part of The Tuck Difference: The Campaign for Tomorrow’s Wise Leaders, the gift will go to strengthening existing TuckGO offerings and fund new and varied educational experiences that take place in locations and industries that students seek. It will also help cover operational costs for the program, funding related logistics, travel, and preparatory expenses, and furthering the personal scale that is the hallmark of learning at Tuck by allowing for continued small cohort sizes.

The Tuck Difference is targeting a $250 million investment in support of Tuck’s people, programs, and places, and is part of Dartmouth’s $3 billion comprehensive campaign, The Call to Lead.