Anniversary
School of Business Administration
School of Business Administration
Honoring Our Past | Celebrating Our Present | Creating Our Future
The Oakland University School of Business has evolved from a small liberal arts business program in the College of Arts and Sciences to a Department of Economics and Business Administration to an AACSB-accredited business school offering undergraduate and graduate business degrees.
The Oakland University School of Business commemorated its 50th anniversary at celebration events in May 2022.
Through the Decades
Take a journey through five decades of the Oakland University School of Business by watching Through the Decades. The video captures milestones and highlights of the business school's evolution from program to internationally recognized School of Business.
Building Business
Interviews with former Dean Ron Horwitz and current Dean Michael A. Mazzeo walks readers through the evolution of the School of Business Administration at OU. Read the full story here.
Over the last five decades, OU’s business school has experienced tremendous growth in its reputation in the business and research community, thanks to the work of its expert faculty members and the success of its graduates in the work world.
1969
The Department of Economics and Business Administration at Oakland University transforms into the School of Economics and Management, offering a BS in Management, offering courses and majors in accounting, finance, marketing, human resources management and management information systems.
1971
First master’s program in business called the Master of Science in Management begins.
1980
Master of Science in Management evolves into the MBA.
1986
Board of Trustees approves School of Business Administration as new name.
1988
Earns prestigious accreditation of its undergraduate business and MBA programs from AACSB-International.
1999
First Executive MBA cohort starts classes
2000
Moves into Elliott Hall, which is named for Nancy and R. Hugh Elliott.
2007
ACHIEVE and Business Scholars programs for undergraduate business students launches.
2010
Stinson Student Advancement Center, which provides a one-stop area offering student services, meeting and lounging areas, opens.
2011
The Tim and Marsha Healy Café opens, serving Elliott Hall visitors a selection of fresh food items and Starbucks products.
2011
Ideas 2 Business program begins.
2015
$2-million Student Managed Investment Fund, powered by The Kresge Foundation, in new Data Analytics and Trading Floor Lab welcomes first students.
2017
Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics begins.
2018
The Executive MBA is relaunched with a leadership focus.
Graduate Certificate in Business Essentials begins.
Graduate Certificate in Finance begins.
2019
First Business Honors cohort enrolls.
Graduate Certificate in Information Security Management begins.
2020
The Online MBA program launches.
2021
Master of Science in Business Analytics program launches.
Graduate Certificate in FinTech begins.
Graduate Certificate in Leadership in Business begins.
Graduate Certificate in Marketing begins.
Coming Fall 2022
Master of Accounting 4+1 program
Master of Science in Business Analytics 4+1 program
Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management
Coming Winter 2023
Master of Science in Finance program
Homes of the Business School
Since its inception, the School was housed in North Foundation Hall. Later it moved to the first two floors of West Vandenberg Hall. The School then relocated to Varner Hall before moving to its current home in Elliott Hall.
Golden Gala Celebration
The School of Business Administration celebrated its 50th anniversary with the Golden Gala on Saturday, May 21, at the Royal Park, presented by The Elliott Foundation. More than 275 guests gathered to celebrate and hear remarks by OU President Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, Chair of the OU Board of Trustees and OU Business School alumnus Bobby Schostak, and Mayor of Rochester Hills Bryan Barnett, MKT ‘98. See photos below and in this Shutterfly album.
Thank you to our many sponsors for empowering the education of future business leaders and for making this celebration possible. Special thanks to our premier sponsors: The Elliott Foundation, presenting sponsor; PwC, platinum sponsor; Kelly Services, bronze sponsor; Mr. and Mrs. Russell M. Shelton Foundation, VIP reception sponsor.
Celebratory Brunch
More than 75 alumni and friends gathered to reminisce and celebrate fifty years of progress of the School of Business Administration at the Oakland Center in late May.
The brunch featured remarks from Ron Horwitz, former dean and emeritus professor of finance, and Mark Guthrie, MBA ’91, and entertainment from CAS alum Chiara Clayton. See photos below and on Facebook here.