About the Lundquist College of Business

Historical Timeline

Since 1884 the Lundquist College of Business has provided quality business education to students from around the world. We have a rich history that has played a significant role in advancing the economic interests of Oregon, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond. The following timeline provides a brief overview of our history, illuminating defining moments that contribute to who we are today.

1876
First UO business class.

1884
School of Commerce founded, making the UO one of the first four-year schools in the nation to offer a commerce curriculum.

1916
Oregon Hall (now Peterson Hall) is built.

1918
World War I brings a surge in enrollment of women: 94 women and 68 men enroll.

1920
UO School of Commerce renamed the School of Business Administration

Commerce Hall (now Gilbert Hall) is built.

1923
First M.B.A. awarded.

1929
Oregon State Legislature creates the State Board of Higher Education

1932
Board makes UO the flagship institution for business education in the state.

1936 
Victor Pierpoint Morris becomes dean and serves until 1957, the longest term of any dean in the college’s history. Morris has a deep concern for the human element of business, infecting an atmosphere of openness and collegiality that persists to this day.

1942
World War II drops enrollment to 231 students: 159 women and 72 men.

1952
Commonwealth Hall is built to connect Oregon Hall and Commerce Hall (subsequently renamed Gilbert East and West, respectively) accommodate an enrollment of 942 and a faculty and staff 42.

1957
First faculty endowment funded and named, the Miner Chair in Real Estate and Insurance.

1958
First center of excellence founded, the Forest Industries Management Center, providing a forum for research and information exchange with industry.

First executive education program created.

1959
College sends an economic advisory envoy to Korea to help improve its economy following the Korean War.

1961
Partnership with Portland State University creates an evening M.B.A. program in Portland for executives and working professionals.

1964
European Exchange Program in Business Administration (also known as the Nijenrode Exchange Program) launched for faculty and students in partnership with the Nijenrode School of Business in The Netherlands.

1967
School of Business Administration becomes the College of Business Administration, consisting of the Undergraduate School of Business and the Graduate School of Management.

Center for International Business Studies founded to encourage students to develop a great awareness of culture in business and economics.

1973
Catherine Jones becomes the first women to serve as assistant dean of undergraduate studies.

Center for Capital Market Research (a precursor to the Securities Analysis Center) founded.

Experimental Center for the Advancement of Invention and Innovation (a precursor to the Lundquist Center for Entrepreneurship) founded.

1975 
Commonwealth Hall renovated to improve accessibility to existing Gilbert East and West buildings. All three halls renamed Gilbert Hall Complex.

Office of External Affairs established to strengthen ties to the business community.

1976
Enrollment increases more than 25 percent in two years.

1978 
Under the leadership of Dean Jim Reinmuth, the college redefines its operating philosophy to “develop and integrate established teaching and research activities with an authentic working relationship with the business community. The college’s focus on providing real-world experiential learning opportunities for students is born.

1979 
College receives its first computers thanks to the vision and foresights Miles E. and Eleanor McKay.

1985
Chiles Foundation donates $1.5 million to build a Chiles Center, a 15,000-square foot facility housing case rooms and computer labs.

1986
Chiles Center opens, becoming the first building on the UO campus built entirely through private support.

Building on the college’s previous executive education efforts, the Oregon Executive M.B.A. program launches in Portland in partnership with Portland State University and Oregon State University.

College begins offering an M.B.A. in international business.

1987
Total student enrollment passes 3,000 for the fist time.

1988 
Charles H. Lundquist donates $1 million to create the Lundquist Center for Entrepreneurship, advancing the college’s reputation for focusing on entrepreneurial and emerging businesses.

1994 
Pleased with his initial investment, Charles H. Lundquist creates a $10-million endowment for the college of business. It is the first multimillion dollar endowment in UO history. The college is renamed the Lundquist College of Business.

James H. Warsaw founds the Warsaw Sports Marketing Center, the first-ever sports marketing program housed at a college of business.

1999
Chuck and Gwen Lillis provide the lead gift of for the Lillis Hall.  Dozens of other donors contribute, raising total private funds for the building to $37 million.

2003 
Lillis Hall opens, replacing what was know as Commonwealth Hall. Lillis is an environmentally friendly, student-centered facility emphasizing cutting-edge teaching spaces for small-group and experiential learning. The building is the first sustainable public building in Oregon and wins dozens of design awards

The historic Gilbert West building is renamed Peterson Hall. Gilbert East becomes Gilbert Hall and the entire complex is renamed Lillis Business Complex.

2006
Engaging Asia Initiative launched to introduce students to the culture and social context of East Asia through
classroom instruction and annual study tours to the region.

2007
Securities Analysis Center receives initial funding from a core group of donors and commences operations.

Peterson Hall renovated to create a seamless interior environment with Lillis Hall while preserving the historic façade.

2008 
College institutes a revised M.B.A. curriculum focused on the centers of excellence that define the college: Warsaw Sports Marketing Center, Lundquist Center for Entrepreneurship, Center for Sustainable Business Practices, and Securities Analysis Center.

Center for Sustainable Business Practices officially opens.

Total enrollment surpasses 4,000 students, with a faculty and staff of 158.