From its beginnings in 1868, rudimentary business training was an established part of the curriculum of Corvallis College (OSU). A two-year collegiate course in commerce, organized in 1898, grew into a full four-year curriculum by 1900. Along with agriculture, home economics, and engineering, the School of Commerce became one of the four major schools of Oregon Agricultural College — and among the first 12 schools of commerce in the nation.

Here are other important dates in the history of Oregon State’s College of Business:

1908: The first dean, John Andrew Bexell, organizes the School of Commerce. It has three faculty members and 105 students.

1922: Following a nationwide study of buildings deemed appropriate for business administration, Dean Bexell plans Commerce Hall (now Bexell Hall).

1931: Dean Bexell retires. Clifford E. Maser becomes dean and serves until 1966. In 1931, the school has more than 40 faculty members and more than 1,000 enrolled students. Also enrolled are an additional 3,000 students from other schools in the college.

1947-48: The school is renamed the School of Business and Technology.

1960: The School of Business and Technology is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

1965: Oregon State University is granted authority to offer the Master of Business Administration degree.

1967: Earl Goodard becomes dean. During his tenure, the college experiences an overwhelming increase in business majors; the growth peaks in 1981, with slightly more than 3,000 students.

1984: M. Lynn Spruill becomes dean. During his tenure, the Family Business Program is launched.

1991: Donald F. Parker becomes dean.

2003: Ilene Kleinsorge becomes dean. During her tenure, the school moves toward becoming a professional program, requiring students to apply for admission. The school now serves more than 2,000 undergraduate business students in seven options; provides graduate management education to almost 90 MBA candidates; and provides a transcript-visible minor in business to over 300 business minors. In addition, more than 1,600 students from other colleges take business courses each year.

— Courtesy Oregon State University College of Business