OUR ROOTS
When the UConn School of Business was
founded 75 years ago, it had just four faculty
members, who split their time with other
departments in the University. An accounting
professor earned only $2,400 back then. The
School began with one undergraduate student
in 1941 and grew to 227 by 1963.
1940s
1940 In February, University
President Albert Nels Jorgensen
creates a plan to reorganize the
University into various schools and
colleges.
1941 School of
Business Administration
established with
Laurence J. Ackerman
as dean, announced on
May 13.
1942 Clara Virginia Kaiser and
Irma Louise Philippi earn their
undergraduate degrees in business.
They are believed to be the first two
women undergrads from the School of
Business.
1944 On June 4, the first Master of
Science degree with a concentration in
Business Administration was awarded
to James Henry Healey.
1946 On Sept. 16, the Fort Trumbull
branch opens to educate returning
G.I.s after World War II.
1947 First academic departments
introduced – Accounting, Finance,
Industrial Administration, Insurance,
Law & Secretarial Studies, and
Marketing.
1949 School moves from Hall Dorm
to Storrs Hall.
1950s
1957 Evening MBA Program
offered in Hartford.
1958 The School earns
accreditation by what is now AACSB
International – the Association to
Advance Collegiate Schools of
Business.
Laurence J. Ackerman (seated left) served as the
first School of Business dean from 1941–1963.
Business Class
1940s
6 UConn: School of Business
