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History of the Kelley School of Business

At the Kelley School of Business, transforming moments link the past and present. And for more than 100 years, innovation has shaped business education at Kelley.

Through the decades, first movers and thought leaders at Kelley built momentum for a global business education. Because of their vision, today’s students gain real-world skills to achieve their goals—for success anywhere in the world.

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A history of momentum in business education

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1900s

Trustee meeting minutes from April 3, 1902 that includes the decision to create a 'commercial course' for the next academic year.

Business offerings expand with "commercial courses" in the Department of Economics and Social Science.

1920s

Group photo of School of Commerce and Finance students from the 1920s, dressed in formal attire, consisting of suits and ties.

The business school is established as the School of Commerce and Finance with 70 students enrolled.

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business logo

The School joins the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, which began accreditation standards in 1919 to ensure top-quality business education.

A copy of the Indiana Business review from January/February of 1986

Indiana Business Review, published by the School of Business's Indiana Business Research Center, debuts.

Bureau of Business Research organized.

1930s

Rawles Hall exterior

The School, housed in Rawles Hall, is renamed the School of Business Administration

Herman B. Wells seated at a desk while dean of the business school

Herman B Wells succeeds William A. Rawles as dean.

First graduate degree offered by the School, the Master of Science in Business, is approved.

Students studying in the library

Name of the School is shortened to the School of Business.

1940s

Indiana University housed over 300 families in temporary mobile homes located in Woodlawn Field, known as Woodlawn Courts

School of Business enrollment triples to 915 at the end of World War II and temporary housing is erected at Indiana University.

The first Masters of Business Administration bulletin

First MBA offered, replacing the Master of Science in Business and the Master of Commercial Science.

IU School of Business Alumni Association established—now the largest business school alumni association in the world.

1950s

The Indiana University Doctor of Commercial Science diploma

First doctoral degree, the Doctor of Commercial Science, awarded.

Classroom photo of the first Indiana Executive Program cohort.

First executive education program begins, the Indiana Executive Program.

Cover of the first issue of Business Horizons

Business Horizons academic journal begins publication.

1960s

The circle in downtown Indianapolis in 1961.

First MBA classes offered in Indianapolis via closed-circuit television with Bloomington faculty.

A computer lab technitian adjusts data tape reels on a computer

Computers in Business class (K201) created.

First overseas institution building project implemented, the National Training Center for Office Administration in Djakarta, Indonesia.

A grid of I-beams showing construction progress on the site at 10th and Fee Lane.

School breaks ground on building at 10th and Fee Lane.

The students of the first class of the MBA program in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) with the University of Dacca

First MBA program in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) with the University of Dacca.

Becomes one of three founding members of the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management, dedicated to promoting diversity in education and business.

1970s

The Integrative Core logo with a Venn diagram of marketing, finance and operations

Innovative integrated core, or I Core, programming for undergraduate students developed at the School of Business is emulated by schools around the nation.

Business Honors Program begins.

A wall of framed placards of funded professorships and chairs

E.W. Kelley establishes the first fully-funded professorship and chair at the school.

IUPUI administators walking on the Indianpolis campus

Indianapolis campus incorporated to become "one school, one faculty, one curriculum in two locations."

The bench of the 1976 IU men's basketball game during a game at Assembly Hall

Indiana University's NCAA championship basketball team includes six business majors.

The U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C.

School becomes founding member of The Washington Campus.

1980s

The address placque of the Wall Street Journal in New York City

The Wall Street Journal reports Indiana University as one of the top four undergraduate business schools in the nation.

Kelley faculty hosting Chinese visitors outside of the business/SPEA building

Faculty work with Chinese officials (seen here in Bloomington) to establish first MBA program in China.

The cover of the first Executive MBA brochure

Executive MBA Program begins in Indianapolis.

1990s

National Black MBA Association logo

Outstanding Educational Institution Award received from the National Black MBA Association.

A table of degrees wrapped in ribbons at a commencement ceremony

The 10,000th MBA degree awarded in Bloomington.

An MBA academy group poses outside of offices during a 3M visit

MBA Academies introduced.

A scenic photo of Weisbaden, Germany

School celebrates 75 years as part of the International Business Forum in Wiesbaden, Germany.

E. W. Kelley pictured here with his wife, Wilma

School named the Kelley School of Business in honor of E. W. Kelley, BS'39 (pictured here with his wife, Wilma).

Host Gerry Dick speaks with guests on the set of Indiana Business This Week

Indiana Business This Week begins in partnership with WRTV and WFYI.

Kelley Direct legacy logo

Kelley becomes the first top-ranked school to offer online education with launch of the Kelley Direct Online MBA Program.

2000s

Master of Science in Information Systems brochure cover

The Master of Science in Information Systems program launched in Bloomington.

The William J. Godfrey Graduate and Executive Education Center exterior

William J. Godfrey Graduate and Executive Education Center opens.

Two students collaborating at the Kelley School of Business Living Learning Center

The Kelley School of Business Living Learning Center, an academically focused residence hall, opens.

2010s

An Executive Degree Programs instructor speaks in front of a class

Executive Degree Programs (now Kelley Executive Education Programs) begins.

An artist's rendering of Hodge Hall Undergraduate Center

Kelley School's undergraduate building is renamed Hodge Hall Undergraduate Center, honoring James R. Hodge, BS'74.

Three medical professionals speaking in a lobby near a staircase

Business of Medicine Physician MBA launched.

Hodge Hall Undergraduate Center exterior

Hodge Hall Undergraduate Center expansion and renovation completed.

Conrad Prebys Career Services Center exterior

Conrad Prebys Career Services Center dedicated.

2020s

Jellison Living Learning Center welcome sign at an event with students socializing in the background

Jellison Living Learning Center dedicated.

Kelley School of Business celebrates 100-year anniversary.

“Here we hope that you will begin the realization of your dreams, that you will achieve that breadth of perspective and discipline of mind which will enable you to live a useful and happy life.”

Herman B Wells

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A group of Kelley Online MBA students celebrating a number one ranking

Exceptional education, exceptional results.

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A group of Kelley Online MBA students celebrating a number one ranking

One of America's best college towns.

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A group of Kelley Online MBA students celebrating a number one ranking

Indiana's economic and political capital.

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