Stuart Nystrom was not looking for another commitment. The Part-Time MBA student had just finished his final exams at The University of Virginia Darden School of Business. Four weeks earlier, he and his wife welcomed their second child. Graduation was around the corner. Then came the opportunity to become the Class of 2026’s Part-Time MBA class speaker.
Topic
Leadership & Management
Practical research for leading teams, organizations, culture, and change. Darden thought leadership explores how managers build trust, make difficult decisions, communicate purpose, develop talent, and guide people through uncertainty while sustaining performance and strengthening the human systems that make organizations work.
He’ll be announced during Final Exercises weekend as “Paul Clancy,” one of three members of the University of Virginia’s Class of 2026 receiving a dual degree from the Darden School of Business and the School of Medicine.
Over the past two years, McAdams balanced the demands of Darden’s Executive MBA program alongside entrepreneurship, nonprofit leadership and family life. Between residencies, Zoom classes, late-night assignments and weekends spent preparing for class, he said the experience stretched him in ways he never expected — but also reminded him why lifelong learning matters.
After 22 years of service at Darden, Sarasvathy will retire at the end of the 2026 academic year. Through her teaching and research, Sarasvathy has shaped a generation of business leaders and entrepreneurs while producing some of Darden’s most influential and widely recognized thought leadership.
Mel Phillips (Class of 2026) hopes his graduation speech accomplishes two things: getting a laugh from the crowd and making his mom cry a little. Before he walks the Lawn next week, the Darden Report caught up with Phillips to reflect on the moments that defined his time in Charlottesville.
Darden lecturer and communications expert Steve Soltis weighs in on the recent viral CNBC appearance by GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen on the company’s unsolicited bid for eBay.
Four deans. One question. At a moment of change for business education, leaders from across Darden’s recent history explore what it would take to become the best business school in the world — and why the answer may never be fixed.
During reunion this past weekend, Darden alumni honored classmates through tree dedications, memorial tributes and moments of remembrance across the Grounds.
This State of the School address featured an update from Interim Dean Mike Lenox on the School’s 2026 Launchpad for maintaining Darden’s exceptional momentum during a time of transition, the Charles C. Abbott Award being awarded to Peter M. Grant II (MBA ’86), the presentation of a record $9.3 million in reunion giving and updates on the ongoing construction projects on Grounds.
Peter Grant, a veteran investor and University of Virginia leader, has been named the recipient of the UVA Darden School of Business’ highest alumni honor, recognizing decades of leadership, service and philanthropic impact.
