Chicago Booth Recognizes Alumnus Steve Wymer With Deanship Naming Following His Inspiring Gift

The University of Chicago Booth School of Business has received a generous commitment from University of Chicago trustee Steven S. Wymer, MBA ’89, as a part of the university’s recently launched campaign, Chicago Minds. In acknowledgment of Wymer’s philanthropy, Chicago Booth’s academic leader is now the Steven S. Wymer Dean. This is the first endowed deanship in the university’s history.

Madhav Rajan, current Booth dean and Distinguished Service Professor of Accounting, as well as chief global strategist for the university, is the first to hold this title. Since his initial appointment as Booth dean in 2017, Rajan’s successes at the school have included launching new masters programs, reshaping Booth’s footprint in Asia and EMEA, and bolstering alumni engagement, resulting in significant support for scholarships and faculty research. 

“Each Chicago Booth dean is tasked with safeguarding the school’s ability to educate leaders and create knowledge that is relevant to the evolving business landscape. Establishing an endowed deanship underscores the importance of this responsibility,” said Rajan. “It is fitting for the deanship to bear Steve’s name, given his remarkable philanthropic leadership and his commitment to ensuring that Booth sustains its core strengths well into the future.”

Chicago Booth deans have all created tangible—often seismic—impacts in the world of business education. Beginning in 1902 with Henry Rand Hatfield, PhD 1897, each successive Booth dean has used their experience, knowledge, and visionary thinking to shape the way the school educates leaders and fosters pathbreaking research. This endowed deanship will help enable Booth to recruit exceptional and innovative leaders for this role, thus driving its impact and influence long after their terms have ended. 

“As a proud Chicago Booth alumnus, I am honored to support the school in sustaining its global impact and tradition of intellectual excellence. I hope my gift will encourage fellow Booth community members to join me in investing in the school that has given us all so much,” said Wymer.

Naming the deanship after Wymer is appropriate because of his longstanding dedication to the school and its leadership. Whether by supporting internship funding for students, enhancing the faculty experience, or investing in critical areas including scholarships, the Annual Fund, and the Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence (CAAI), Wymer’s generosity has advanced Booth’s priorities and impacted its community in meaningful ways.

Reflecting on Wymer’s support, University of Chicago President Paul Alivisatos, AB ’81, remarked, “Steve is an exemplary alumni leader, and his generosity is a testament to the depth of his commitment to the university. We are fortunate to benefit from his philanthropic partnership.” 

Wymer is a portfolio manager in Fidelity Investments’ equity and high-income division. He joined Fidelity in 1989 and has served as a fund manager since 1990. He has managed the Fidelity Growth Company Fund and related funds since 1997. In 2017, Morningstar named Wymer “Domestic-Stock Fund Manager of the Year.”

In addition to his role on the university’s Board of Trustees, Wymer serves as a co-chair of the Council on Chicago Booth, championing new programs and innovations at the school. He is also a member of the Advisory Council of Booth’s CAAI and was a 2025 recipient of the school’s Distinguished Alumni Award.