Mayo Receives UVA Darden’s Highest Alumni Honor

University of Virginia Darden School of Business alumnus Richard A. “Dick” Mayo (MBA ’68) was recognized with the Charles C. Abbott Award in April during his 50th reunion celebration at the School. The award is the School’s highest alumni honor, presented by the Darden Alumni Association Board of Directors to an alumnus or alumna each year in recognition of exceptional and lasting contributions to the School.

Also earning his undergraduate degree at UVA, Mayo is a longstanding supporter of the University and Darden. He has served as a member of the Darden School Foundation Board of Trustees; maintained a regular presence in the classroom; and has served as a mentor to students, staff and faculty.

A member of the Principal Donors Society at the Madison level, Mayo was instrumental in establishing the University of Virginia Investing Conference and the Richard A. Mayo Center for Asset Management, which helps support Darden Capital Management and advances the study and practice of asset management at the School.

Mayo, who serves as chairman and chief strategist of Game Creek Capital in Boston, said he was pleasantly surprised by the accolade, which was presented as part of the State of the School programming during reunion weekend.

“I’ve always held the Darden School in the utmost esteem and am most proud of it because I think of it as the lynchpin of my career,” Mayo said. “It helped me get to where I am, and today it still helps me to improve myself.”

Mayo called returning to Darden as a lecturer “one of the greatest thrills” and encouraged other alumni to find similar ways to engage with students.

“It’s still a learning process,” Mayo said. “You all should come in and try to do that and try to keep up with the students.”