Alliance for Iowa State

-Make Your Voice Heard-

The College of Business is celebrating two major anniversaries in 2014: the 10th anniversary of its first standalone building, the Gerdin Business Building, and the 30th anniversary of the creation of the College of Business.

Business courses have been offered at Iowa State since the 1920s, known under names like business engineering, industrial economics, and industrial administration. As the program grew, so did momentum for improved facilities and standing on campus.

In 1959, the Department of Industrial Administration became a part of the new College of Science and Humanities, which is now ISU's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. By 1969, the department had moved into Carver Hall, which at the time was a major upgrade. Enrollment in the department more than tripled during the 1970s.

By 1980, the department was ready to become a school, which represented a major step toward true autonomy. Finally, in 1983, the Board of Regents approved the formation of the College of Business Administration, effective July 1, 1984.

The growth continued; in the 1980s and 90s, the college ran off an impressive series of accomplishments: adding an MBA program, assuming oversight of Iowa's Small Business Development Center, earning accreditation for the first time, and significantly increasing support for its faculty.

It was a pledge from Russ and Ann Gerdin in 1998 that would transform the college forever: $10 million toward the construction of a building the college could call its own. Their gift launched a $35 million campaign that culminated in the construction of the Gerdin Business Building and further supported the college's academic programs. The building, located on central campus, was dedicated in February 2004.

Did you know? Over 11,500 students have graduated from the College of Business since the Gerdin Business Building opened in 2004. No four-year business program counts more Iowa high school graduates among its students.

College of Business faculty and staff celebrate the creation of the college,

which became official on July 1, 1984.

Iowa State's Mission:
Create, share, and apply knowledge to make
Iowa and the world a better place.

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The Alliance for Iowa State is maintained by the Iowa State University Alumni Association.

The Alliance for Iowa State is a coalition of Iowa State University alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff, and friends.

The Alliance advocates Iowa State University's land grant mission throughout Iowa while focusing its advocacy on

state legislators and public policy makers.