Commencement this month sends forth some 850 newly minted MBAs to put their skills and ideas to work in the real world. Among these members of the Class of 1998 are six individuals whose dedication, drive, and initiative -- and varied personal histories -- exemplify what HBS is all about.

Recipients of a prestigious new award for corporate leadership, IBM and Levi Strauss -- both led by HBS CEOs -- are honored for their deep involvement in workforce diversity and community betterment. The experience of the two firms, and that of other companies similarly committed, suggest that outstanding corporate citizenship may contribute to superior performance in the marketplace.