The letter is so special to him that he began his recent presentation to PhD students at the Naveen Jindal School of Management by flashing a photo of it for them to see. The one-paragraph letter invited him to further his education at The University of Texas at Dallas and was signed by “R. Chandrasekaran,” who at the time was a professor of operations research in the School of Management. Dr. Chandrasekaran is now Ashbel Smith Professor in the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science.
“That man made me what I am today,” Jain told students and faculty during his recent visit to the Jindal School. It was at UT Dallas that he earned an MS and PhD in management science in 1986. “A small letter like this brought me here. I consider this a place of opportunity.”
Jain, a soft-spoken man with an easy smile, accepted that invitation and went on to excel in his chosen career. The esteemed educator visited his alma mater’s campus to accept the Jindal School’s inaugural Eminent PhD Alumnus Award.
He fell into his career in management education almost by accident. As a student, he discovered through tutoring sessions with his own peers just how much he loved teaching.
“To me, this room is a temple,” Jain said to UT Dallas’ current PhD students assembled in a Jindal School lecture hall. “UT Dallas is no less than any school in the country, when it comes to the PhD program.”
Jain, who calls himself “the hugging dean,” exudes warmth and a gentle manner. His respect for the students, his previous supervisors and his own educational path was evident during his daylong visit on campus. His multiple presentations focused on business management, but much of his personal philosophy woven into those lectures made an impact on those attending.
“He gave some really nice examples of how you treat people,” said Paul Nichols, MBA’98, an associate professor of practice in the Jindal School’s Organizations, Strategy and International Management Area. “He kept making the point of how a little bit of kindness transformed his life. That opened an entire world for him. That’s the magic of being in the academic world. It’s not just testing and assignments.”
Jain’s two lectures underscored this notion. During his talks, Jain sprinkled inspirational concepts for his upper-level students to consider. Among them, a simple but impactful thought, “Wherever you travel, introduce yourself to the person sitting next to you. Be proactive.”
He also narrated stories that revealed another philosophy, saying that “I think about my journey from success to significance. While you’re successful, think about how you can make a difference in the peoples’ lives who work with you and for you.”
Choosing Jain as the first-ever recipient of the honor was easy, according to Dr. Sumit Sarkar, JSOM’s director of PhD programs and the Charles and Nancy Davidson Chair and a professor in the Jindal School’s Information Systems Area. The idea was originally floated by Dean Hasan Pirkul. The decision was made by the PhD Committee, and its members were unanimous in their decision that Jain was the right alum to be the first to receive this honor.
“Of course it was a no brainer,” Sarkar said. “We are extremely proud of him. He is fantastic.”
The honoree was invited to speak and was also entertained at receptions in celebration of his achievements. Eventually, Jain will be honored in a “PhD Hall of Fame” that will be created in the School of Management building, said Dr. Hasan Pirkul, Caruth Chair and Jindal School.
“It is really great to see him come back because he is an ideal role model for young PhDs,” Pirkul said after presenting Jain with the award at an afternoon reception attended by faculty, students and other stakeholders. “He has not only been very successful in research, but he has also been a well-known and highly respected leader in terms of managing schools. But more importantly he’s a genuinely nice guy. Everyone likes him. If the PhDs only remember that, that would be the best contribution to their lives.”
Currently, Jain resides in Chicago and serves as president emeritus of China Europe International Business School (CEIBS); distinguished professor of marketing, CEIBS; co-director of CEIBS Social Security and Aging Finance Institute; and co-chair of CEIBS Academic Council.
Previously, he was the dean of Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management from 2001 to 2009. Since then, he has served as dean of INSEAD, an international business school with campuses in France, Singapore and Abu Dhabi, from 2011 to 2013.
Jain earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics and statistics in 1976 and his master’s degree in mathematical statistics from Gauhati University (Assam) in 1978. He has published nearly 70 articles in leading academic journals and has earned the notable John D.C. Little Best Paper Award. He has been honored for his teaching and service, including receiving the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas from the Prime Minister of India, an award that recognizes exceptional leadership contributions of overseas Indians. He has performed editorial duties for the journal Management Science, Marketing Science, Journal of Business and Economic Statistics and Journal of Marketing Research.
His achievements are numerous within the corporate world, also. He has served on the boards of John Deere & Company (USA) and Reliance Industries (India). He has served as a consultant to multiple firms, including Microsoft, Novartis, American Express, Sony, Nissan, Eli Lilly and Company and Hyatt International.
His life has not been without struggles, though. He has fought through brain surgery, cancer and other setbacks. His perseverance encourages others. He said he sincerely believes difficulties come our way to make us better, not bitter.
“I think it’s very inspiring, especially since he went through so much,” said Dr. Ying Xie, a marketing professor and the Jindal School’s Marketing Area coordinator. Jain coached her while she worked on her dissertation which resulted in graduating from Kellogg in 2003. “With all that, he’s still taking on new challenges.”
Jain kept a busy schedule the day of his award presentation, starting by addressing the current JSOM PhD students, a special luncheon, and his afternoon lecture “The Enduring Value of Management Education.” He emphasized management education teaches students how to develop a structured approach while working on an unstructured business problem. He said he had been “blessed with good parents, good education, good teachers. He gave credit during the presentation to several UT Dallas mentors including Chandrasekaran, who wrote the keepsake letter, plus Frank Bass, Ram Rao, Shun-Chen Niu and Yu-Min Chen.
After Pirkul presented Jain with his commemorative plaque, Jain became reflective. Thinking of his career, his UT Dallas education and the 1982 letter, he smiled, saying he was grateful.
“Not to be too emotional, I think of being here as paying back to the institution that gave me an opportunity,” he said. “When he sent me that letter, I didn’t know him. My first thought today was I didn’t let those people down. They gave me an opportunity.”
