Sidhu Shares the Importance of Purpose & Resiliency in Leadership with the College of Business & Engineering Students
On a recent visit to campus, Jay S. Sidhu MBA ‘73 passionately peered into the crowd of eager undergraduates, challenging them with a question, “What is one thing you would like to do that would make a big difference in your life, but don’t believe you can achieve?”
Sidhu spoke to students in the College of Business and Engineering and engaged in a question-and-answer session afterwards. Touching on the themes of his book, Never Ever, Ever Give Up, Sidhu shared his views and lessons on leadership, self-awareness and building and leading a purpose-driven life. He stressed the importance of exploring, implementing and adapting to the future. Taking advantage of technology and AI can wield the power to improve processes, advance technology and strengthen the development of people in organizations.
“We have to adapt and stay on top of all those developments, always staying one step ahead,” says Sidhu. “A Wilkes student can become not just a survivor in a changing environment, but someone who can thrive and really build and make a huge impact in the development of the future and workforce. Every change creates an opportunity, and right now, the opportunity is huge. The biggest threat is not to change.”
Bridget Turel, director of professional development and external engagement for the Sidhu School, coordinated the event. The last time Sidhu was on campus was in April 2023 for the launch of his book. Since then, he has been on a global book tour, sharing his story with students around the world. “It’s always a pleasure to have Jay on campus. I’m very happy when students have the opportunity to participate in a discussion, and also meet Jay as the namesake of their business school,” says Turel. “This event was a highlight of their time here, and hopefully his story will resonate with them throughout their professional lives.”
In 2004, Sidhu generously donated to Wilkes, establishing the Jay S. Sidhu School of Business and Leadership. With no money or means for a graduate business education in America, Wilkes took a chance on Sidhu when he applied, awarding him a full scholarship and providing free room and board — with Sidhu’s promise that he would be successful and give back to express his gratitude.
It was Sidhu’s resiliency that resonated with marketing alumna and current MBA student and graduate assistant, Brooke Coleman ‘25. “As a young professional about to enter the workforce, I was deeply touched and inspired by Mr. Sidhu’s grit and determination in his youth,” says Coleman. “Through his anecdotes, we learned he was rejected from 42 schools before Wilkes decided to offer him a scholarship. This story inspires me to never give up on dreams no matter how many rejections I may receive.”
“Wilkes gave me a tremendous amount of basic education on leadership, finance, marketing and strategy,” says Sidhu. “It was my foundation, and now I am trying to make a difference in young people’s lives around the world. I tell them about my education and experience at Wilkes, and how our future leaders are going to be making positive differences.”