The incoming class of full-time MBA students at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business will get paid trips abroad as part of the school’s international courses, courtesy of a $15 million donation from The Batten Foundation.
The gift from the Norfolk-based foundation, which was started by the late Frank Batten Sr. and his wife Jane Batten, was matched by the university to create a $30 million endowment. Frank Batten Sr.was the former chairman of Landmark Communications, the predecessor to Landmark Media Enterprises, which owns The Virginian-Pilot.
The school’s worldwide courses typically cost students $3,000. The scholarships will guarantee that every enrolled MBA student will get to take at least one trip during his or her time at Darden. Upcoming trips include learning about the business impacts of Germany’s robotics and artificial intelligence developments, Israel’s startup culture and Cuba’s emerging economy. Other destinations include Russia, South Africa, China, Japan, Sweden, Singapore and Uganda.
