Baylor University Celebrates 50 Years of AACSB Accreditation

There are a variety of milestones for business schools—first classes, stand-alone structures, new programs, the naming of facilities in honor of donors, research grants, and teaching awards. But, quite possibly the most important achievement for a school is its long-term ability to provide quality programs.

Although Baylor University’s first class of business students graduated in 1925, the Hankamer School of Business is paying closer attention to its 50 years of accreditation with AACSB International. Throughout 2009, Baylor will celebrate its 50 years of excellence with commermorative anniversary pieces and special events.

The business school has hung four 21-foot banners at the entrance of the Hankamer building, as well as on light posts throughout the campus. In addition, Baylor Business distributed a commemorative desk calendar to its dedicated community of students, faculty, staff, and donors. Trivia facts from the calendar will be posted each day on the school’s Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn accounts. The school has also built a microsite which includes a historic timeline and a place for students and alumni to post memories and reflections of their time at Baylor.

The milestone will also be celebrated during homecoming this October. There will be a special reception where alumni, donors, and friends will have the opportunity to have their pictures taken with a 50th anniversary message. At the school's homecoming parade, the largest in the United States, the Hankamer Student Organization float will be based on the 50th anniversary theme.

"The faculty and staff at the Hankamer School of Business are certainly proud of having earned this ‘seal of excellence'," said Dr. Terry Maness, dean of the school. "More importantly, our students and alumni, as well as the businesses who hire them, can be assured that a business degree from Baylor is truly a valuable thing."

Maintaining accreditation is an ongoing process that helps to drive a business school's excellence and mission. Baylor Business' mission states the school "seeks to produce business leaders with recognized integrity, superior theoretical knowledge, and practical skills of modern global business developed through an experiential learning environment. We engage a diverse group of undergraduate, graduate, and executive students and alumni in a curriculum that produces graduates of value to business organizations and to their communities."