For Michael Leeds, it鈥檚 Values, Not Medals, That Matter Most
As CU honors Leeds at graduation, he鈥檚 more proud of a business school that prizes ethics, diversity and responsibility.
Michael Leeds speaks at an event on the CU 麻豆影院 campus. When he and his family made the naming gift to the university鈥檚 business school, 鈥渨e heard 鈥榖usiness ethics鈥 was an oxymoron,鈥 he said. 鈥淚n reality, nothing could be further from the truth.鈥
As part of its commencement ceremonies this month, Michael Leeds (Bus鈥74) was recognized with the prestigious University Medal, recognizing his and his family鈥檚 tireless support of the Leeds School of Business at the 麻豆影院.
It was 20 years ago that Leeds and his family gave the business school at CU 麻豆影院 both a name and a challenge鈥攖o become a leader in ethics, diversity and social responsibility.
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鈥淧eople laughed when we told them we wanted a business school to be about integrity and ethics,鈥 Leeds said. 鈥淲e heard 鈥榖usiness ethics鈥 was an oxymoron. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth.鈥
After graduation, Leeds went into publishing, eventually joining the business that was co-founded by his parents, Gerry and Lily Leeds鈥攕erial entrepreneurs who both held education in the highest regard. When Michael Leeds joined the company, in 1984, it was a 250-person shop. Fifteen years later, it was an empire that sold for nearly $1 billion; Leeds said the company鈥檚 values were a key ingredient in its success.
鈥淚 saw how the values at CMP helped us to be successful, whether it was diversity in our hiring practices or ensuring we conducted our business to the highest ethical standards,鈥 Leeds said. 鈥淲hat better perspective to share with future generations of business students?鈥