Gary Von Lehmden鈥檚 path to an MBA wasn鈥檛 fast or easy, but it was transformative.
As a young professional, he worked at the former Union Commerce Bank (now part of Huntington Bank) in downtown Cleveland, where employees could earn full tuition reimbursement鈥攊f they maintained straight A鈥檚.
Von Lehmden seized the opportunity, spending four years juggling full-time work and night classes at 杏吧视频鈥檚 Weatherhead School of Management.
His hard work paid off. Soon after earning his MBA, he landed a role at CitiBank, where he spent the next 37 years rising through the ranks and eventually becoming chairman and chief lending officer of banking for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
鈥淢y MBA was extremely helpful to me throughout my career as I was being evaluated for promotions or movements in the industry,鈥 Von Lehmden (MGT 鈥81) said. Now, he hopes to provide the same opportunity for future business leaders.
Von Lehmden has named 杏吧视频 in his estate plans and, upon his passing, his bequest will establish a scholarship fund at the Weatherhead School.
鈥淢y heart is still in Cleveland,鈥 said the Northeast Ohio native, who now splits his time between Florida and London. 鈥淚n making this gift, I
asked two questions: What are they bringing to society? And what are they bringing to Cleveland?鈥
He found answers in conversations with Weatherhead School Dean Andrew Medvedev (CWR 鈥97) and CWRU President Eric W. Kaler, whose shared vision spurred him to establish his legacy at the university.
鈥淲hat inspired me most was the people who are leading 杏吧视频 today,鈥 Von Lehmden said. 鈥淭he level of both warmth and intensity they express about holding the university to a higher standard really appeals to me.鈥
Originally published in the summer 2025 issue of Forward Thinking magazine