The College of Business and Information Science, located in the new Andrew F. Brimmer Hall, is a direct outgrowth of Tuskegee University's historical mission and its emphasis on economic empowerment and business development. From its inception, Tuskegee has been a highly recognized and visible institution committed to the values of self-help, business development and lifelong learning.
Tuskegee University's founder Booker T. Washington was a strong advocate of entrepreneurship and business development through the forging of strategic partnerships that linked academic programs with the broader commerce of the world. Highly touted as the "Tuskegee Model," the acquisition of land, the development of marketable management and entrepreneurial skills and the formation of capital to create and sustain viable businesses, has served as the foundation for producing highly skilled business leaders.
In 1900, Mr. Washington started the Negro Business League, which laid the foundation for business education at Tuskegee and for blacks. The first meeting of the Negro Business League was held in Boston, Massachusetts in 1901.
Dr. Washington's vision finds contemporary expression in the ongoing evolution of the College of Business and Information Science. With nearly 600 students and faculty, the College offers competitive, solid, professional programs with rigorous intellectual and technical depth. These programs and faculty also develop career-oriented skills that provide its students with the leadership tools needed for entry and advancement in an increasingly competitive and technologically-driven global marketplace.
Tuskegee University began offering a program in management education in 1925. But the program was phased out in the 1940's because the business, political, and societal climate of the country at that time did not provide employment opportunities for African American managers. The current business program at Tuskegee University dates back to the early 1960's.
In response to the societal changes in the mid 1960's, the University administration concluded that the ensuing years will bring increasing opportunities for African Americans trained for managerial and professional positions in business and industry. Thus, in 1962 a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration was started as part of the social science division of the School of Arts and Sciences. In 1971, the program was elevated to the status of the Department of Business and moved to the School of Applied Sciences.
By early nineteen seventies the department started offering a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting, and majors in management science, finance, and marketing were added by the end of the decade.
In 1983, the status of the Department of Business was changed to the School of Business and the Department of Economics was moved from the College of Arts and Sciences to the new school. In mid 1997, the Hospitality Management program was moved from College of Agricultural Sciences to the School of Business.
The College was fully accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB) in 1998, making it one of the few HBCU's in the United States to hold this distinction.
In 2000, as part of Tuskegee University's reorganization, the Department of Computer Science was moved from the College of Engineering to the business program, and the unit was named the College of Business and Information Science. Thus, under the current organization structure, the College of Business and Information Science has three undergraduate academic departments that offer the Bachelor of Science degree: (1) Department of Management; (2) Department of Accounting, Economics and Finance; and (3) Department of Computer Science. Additionally, the College offers a minor in Hospitality Management. The Department of Management offers degrees in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Hospitality Management, and Sales and Marketing. The Department of Accounting, Economics and Finance offers degrees in Accounting, Economics and Finance. The Department of Computer Science offers degrees in Computer Science and Computer Information Systems.
By early nineteen seventies the department started offering a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting, and majors in management science, finance, and marketing were added by the end of the decade. In 1983, the status of the Department of Business was changed to the School of Business and the Department of Economics was moved from the College of Arts and Sciences to the new school. In mid 1997, the Hospitality Management program was moved from College of Agricultural Sciences to the School of Business.
The College was fully accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB) in 1998, making it one of the few HBCU's in the United States to hold this distinction.
In 2000, as part of Tuskegee University's reorganization, the Department of Computer Science was moved from the College of Engineering to the business program, and the unit was named the College of Business and Information Science. Thus, under the current organization structure, the College of Business and Information Science has three undergraduate academic departments that offer the Bachelor of Science degree: (1) Department of Management; (2) Department of Accounting, Economics and Finance; and (3) Department of Computer Science. Additionally, the College offers a minor in Hospitality Management. The Department of Management offers degrees in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Hospitality Management, and Sales and Marketing. The Department of Accounting, Economics and Finance offers degrees in Accounting, Economics and Finance. The Department of Computer Science offers degrees in Computer Science and Computer Information Systems.
With a design and construction cost of $15 million, the new Andrew F. Brimmer Hall is located in Tuskegee's historic district, and represents one of the University's signature buildings. With four stories and approximately 45,000 square feet, the new facility almost triples the available space for classrooms, laboratories, offices and lounges. It is outfitted with the latest in technological advancements including "smart" classrooms, and state-of-the-art laboratories and research space. The building was intentionally designed to provide the best simulation of real-world business concepts and applications.
The new signature facility is named in honor of Dr. Andrew F. Brimmer, Chairman of the Tuskegee University Board of Trustees. Dr. Brimmer is a teacher, scholar, and economic policy analyst whose interests include monetary policy, international finance, economic development, and organizational development nationally and internationally in the African American community and in Africa.
The new Brimmer College of Business and Information Science greatly enhances the College's ability to create synergistic opportunities in instruction and research. In today's global marketplace, the future belongs to academic programs that train students to take full advantage of emerging technologies and opportunities. The Brimmer College of Business and Information Science offers students excellent opportunities to explore this environment.
With this new facility, the College can now easily maintain and exceed the accreditation standards of excellence established in 1993 by the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business (the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International - AACSB, http://www.aacsb.edu/).
It also provides an attractive, professional environment, not only for students and faculty, but for community, entrepreneurs and corporate representatives as well. The facility will enhance the College's already stellar quality of teaching and research through the infusion of the latest technological innovations. Several long-range goals, including the establishment of Centers of Minority Entrepreneur and Business Development and a strong e-Commerce Program will now be created.
