News
By Amy Shapiro
|
April 19, 2000
From newspaper reporter to businessman to founder of the Weather Channel, University alumnus Frank Batten Sr.'s resume includes an impressive list of accomplishments, the most recent of which is a landmark gift to the Darden School.
In December Batten, a 1950 University alumnus, gave $60 million to the Darden School -- the largest single donation that not only the University, but also any graduate school of business has ever received.
The donation propelled the University's Capital Campaign, the fundraising project created to replace waning state funding (see related article), over its $1 billion goal to $1.1 billion, racking up Darden's earnings to $180 million.
Although Batten himself is a Harvard Business School graduate, he still has been instrumental in helping to shape Darden as a leading business school.
"He's been a strong believer in the school and a strong supporter for over 40 years now," Darden's Director of Communications Phil Giaramita said.
Batten, who hails from Norfolk, Va., was submerged in business and entrepreneurship from an early age.
His father died when he was a baby and he and his mother had to move in with his aunt and uncle.
