Case Western Reserve University trustee and alumnus Joe Mandato (MGT ’04) has committed $1 million to the university’s Weatherhead School of Management to expand scholarship support, strengthen student-centered leadership and help ensure the long-term vitality of programs that define the Weatherhead School experience.
The commitment also includes the creation of the Sue Nartker Endowment Fund—recognizing the contributions of the managing director of the school’s Executive Doctor of Management (EDM) program—which will directly benefit the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program and help sustain a managing director position honoring Nartker’s legacy.
“Joe Mandato has a deep appreciation for exceptional leaders like Sue—because they serve as valuable role models and have tremendous potential for lasting impact on students and their career paths,” said President Eric W. Kaler, the Morton L. Mandel Presidential Chair. “We are grateful for Joe’s generous commitment to Weatherhead, to our students and to the DBA program.”
At the heart of Mandato’s commitment is a significant investment in student scholarships, reinforcing the Weatherhead School’s ability to attract and retain exceptional students.
“To be competitive, we have to continue to attract high-quality students who can take full advantage of the education Dean [Andrew] Medvedev and the rest of his team can offer,” said Mandato. “And as to Sue Nartker, her service as a chief support officer has been extraordinary. The longevity and success of the program—and the success of so many of its students—are in large part thanks to her commitment and support.”
Mandato emphasized that the gift recognizes not only Nartker’s legacy but also the importance of sustaining that support for future generations of students, a sentiment echoed by the school’s leader.
“Joe’s gift is critical for Weatherhead,” said Dean Andrew Medvedev (CWR ’97). “By investing in scholarships and in the kind of personalized student support that Sue so brilliantly champions, Joe is ensuring that talented students can fully engage with everything Weatherhead has to offer. This commitment reinforces our ability to attract exceptional students and to sustain the high-touch, leadership-focused experience that defines our school.”
Mandato has previously supported many important university initiatives, including the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Building and the Larry Sears and Sally Zlotnick Sears think[box]. His latest commitment reflects a continued belief in the power of student opportunity, mentorship and personalized support to shape future leaders.
