Darden’s Most Read News Stories of 2022

The past year was a time of great momentum at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, and while many of the most popular stories of 2022 focused on areas of perennial interest such as rankings and career outcomes, the most-read article described the biggest change to the Darden Grounds in several years.

Below are the stories that attracted the most readers in 2022.

Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants to Open Its First On-Campus Hotel at the UVA Darden School

The April announcement of the forthcoming boutique hotel was the most-read story of the year. Construction on the 198-room The Forum Hotel continues apace, on track for a spring 2023 opening.

Gift from LaCross Family, Third Largest in UVA Darden History, Further Enhances School’s Top Education Experience

A $44 million investment in Darden from Risk Management Technology Founder David M. LaCross (MBA ’78) and his wife, Kathleen O. LaCross, will strengthen the School and lay the foundation for its future in several ways. With $6 million in matching funds from the University, the total impact of the gift to Darden is $50 million.

UVA Darden No. 9 in US and No. 1 Public School in New Bloomberg Businessweek Ranking

Darden was ranked No. 9 in the publication’s Best B-Schools 2022-23 list, which covers schools in the United States. In addition to the overall ranking, Darden is No. 1 among public universities, up from No. 2 in the previous year’s ranking.

University Approves Darden Master Plan Refresh, Putting Faculty and Student Needs at Forefront

In September, University of Virginia Board of Visitors approved a refreshed master plan for the Darden School of Business in Charlottesville — including the development of a centrally located academic innovation hub connecting existing Darden buildings, renovations to faculty and student learning spaces, Grounds enhancements to promote accessibility and wellness, and development of residential housing

Darden Top Five for Salary and Bonus in Latest US News & World Report Ranking

2022 was a year of solid momentum in rankings, and in March Full-Time MBA Class of 2021 ranked No. 1 among public graduate MBA programs for average starting salary and bonus and No. 5 among all schools. The School is also No. 1 among the Top 20 schools for students who had secured jobs by graduation.

Darden Welcomes Class of 2024, Including First-Ever Part-Time MBA Cohort

In August, Darden welcomed more than 550 First Year MBA students to Grounds in Charlottesville in mid-August, an annual event made even more momentous due to the arrival of the first-ever class of Part-Time MBA students. The Darden School began the new school year with 349 Full-Time MBA students based on Darden Grounds in Charlottesville, and 134 Executive MBA and 68 Part-Time MBA students based at UVA Darden DC Metro in Rosslyn, Virginia.

Darden Celebrates Record Number of New Graduates Early Career Successes

Darden recognized  hundreds of new graduates in May, as the largest graduating Class in Darden history received diplomas in ceremonies moved indoors due to high temperatures. The celebrations represented the first fully in-person graduation on Darden Grounds since 2019.

Darden Full-Time MBA Class of 2022 Achieves Record-Breaking Career Success

Early career data released in September showed that the largest class in Darden history garnered the highest salaries in School history, the highest percent of students employed at graduation and more historic highs.