COB
History
Business
Education at Eastern Michigan University began with action
taken by the State Board of Education in 1911. The Board authorized
the Michigan State Normal School to offer courses for the
training of "commercial" teachers. This two-year program
was implemented in 1912 with the cooperation of private business
colleges in Michigan, and the first teaching certificates were
granted one year later. A four-year program leading to a Bachelor
of Science degree in commerce was first offered in 1924.
By
the 1929-30 academic year, two distinct curricula began to emerge-business
administration and commercial education-and two kinds of degrees
were offered for the first time: Bachelor of Arts in Business
Administration and Bachelor of Science Degree in Commercial Education.
In 1939, the Department of Commerce offering a four-year curriculum
in commercial education, completely independent of any private
business college, was established within the Normal School. Students
were granted a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and a State
Provisional Teaching Certificate by the State Board of Education.
The department name was changed to Department of Business
Education in 1948.
In 1949, a four-year curriculum leading to a Bachelor of Science
degree in business administration was approved by the State Board
of Education. A Master of Science degree in business administration
and a Master of Science degree in business (teacher education)
were approved in December 1963.
After
more than 50 years of business and commercial education at EMU,
the Board of Regents authorized the formation of the COB on April
6, 1964.
The
College of Business began its first year of operation (1964-65)
with the full-time faculty of 21 persons and a student enrollment
of 853 majors. Currently (2004-2005) the College has four departments:
Accounting & Finance, Computer Information Systems, Management
and Marketing. Faculty and staff numbering more than 100, enrolls
2,743 undergraduate majors, 813 graduate students and graduates
more than 700 professionally qualified persons annually. The College
currently has 17 recognized clubs/organizations/honorary societies.
Historical
Landmarks
November 2004, the College of Business adopts a new "Priority
Admissions Policy" which grants freshmen admissions to high school
freshmen who meet National Merit Scholar criteria or EMU Presidential
Scholarship critiera. This policy also includes first semester
admissions to community college transfer students with a 3.30
GPA or better.
October 2004, the College of Business and Oakland Community College
sign an articulation agreement to ease the transition of thier
students applying to EMU. Oakland Community College is the largest
community college in the state.
July 2004, David E. Mielke, former dean of the college of
business at Grand Valley State University, assumes postion of
Dean.
June 2003, Earl H. Potter III accepts position of Provost at
Southern Oregon University. Nick Blanchard, Assosciate Dean is
named Interim Dean while a national search is conducted. Denise
Tanguay accepts position of Associate Dean.
September 2002, Finance faculty move from Computer Information
Systems to Accounting to form the Accounting & Finance Department
and the Computer Information Systems Department.
April 2001, the second Masco cohort graduated.
May of 2000, Earl H. Potter, III was appointed as the 6th dean
of the College of Business.
August 2000, Dr. Pradeep Chowdhry was appointed director
of the Center for Entrepreneurship.
January 1999, Thomas K. Harden became interim dean.
December 1999, the COB endowment exceeded $4 million.
April 9, 1999, the COB held its 50th annual Honors Banquet.
January 1999, Dr. Stewart L. Tubbs was named as the Darrell
H. Cooper Presidential Chair in Leadership.
December 1998, Ford Motor Company employed over 1,700 of our graduates.
November 1998, Mr. Robert A. Lutz, retired Vice Chairman of
Chrysler Corporation gave an inaugural presentation as the first
recipient of the Darrell H. Cooper Presidential Chair in Leadership.
January 1997, the COB entered into an agreement with Masco Corporation
to provide an on site MBA program.
Janaury 1995, Darrel H. Cooper became the first donor of a $1 million
gift in the history of the University.
1990 - 1995, College of Business sees record levels of private donations.
January 1991, the COB moved to its new $33 million state-of-the-art
facility: the Gary M. Owen Building.
September 1990, the COB became the first business school in the
State of Michigan to offer a Weekend MBA program.
July 1986, Stewart L. Tubbs became the fourth dean of the College
of Business.
January 1983, the EMU COB Development Board was established.
January 1983, J. Michael Moore, President of Detroit Ball Bearing
Company became the first Executive-in-Residence.
May 1982, the COB MBA was fully accredited by the AACSB.
July 1980, Joe Kent Kerby became the third dean of the College
of Business.
Bob Owchinko a 1978 Marketing graduate was the first EMU baseball
player to have his uniform retired. He became a professional baseball
player.
September 1978, the college instituted a new graduate program leading
to a Master of Science degree in organizational behavior
and development.
May 1977, the COB held its first off-campus classes at the
Bechtel Power Corporation in Ann Arbor.
September 1975 brought the first undergraduate program of its kind
at a state institution-a BBA in Shopping Center Management.
January 1974, the undergraduate programs were first accredited by the
AACSB.
July 1969, the COB moved to its new facility in Pray-Harrold.
September 1966, the COB moved to its new facility in Ford Hall.
September 1966, the COB established its first Student Advising
Office. The first advisor was Dr. Russell L. Ogden.
July 1, 1964, the College of Business was established with
five departments, Accounting & Finance; Management; Marketing;
General Business; and Business Education.
1964, five students were awarded an MBA degree. The first graduate
business classes leading to the MBA Degree were offered in the
early 1960's.
