As the Dean of the College of Business, I can say this is an extraordinary era for the Montana State University and the College of Business. Only about 15 percent of college business programs in the nation are fully accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business - the most rigorous and prestigious college of business accreditation. As one of these selected colleges, we offer the expertise of doctoral trained faculty as well as faculty with extensive business experience in each of our options: accounting, finance, management and marketing.

Along with the main options, we offer minors in entrepreneurship and small business management, information technology, international business, business administration and accounting. Corporations and business that recruit our students find these minors extremely relevant to the types of employees they plan to hire. The College of Business also offers a Master of Professional Accountancy degree, which is designed to prepare students for a career in public accounting. Graduates from both the undergraduate and graduate program are enjoying unprecedented success in the job market. In the year 2000, approximately 20 firms came to the MSU campus to specifically recruit business students. Over the past five years that number has increased to more than 70.

Our Freshman Seminar program has won two national awards for its innovative curriculum. Along with a small group of other freshman, an upper-class student and faculty advisor, you will discover the issues and challenges facing business professionals while discovering your areas of interest and planning for success. And, sections of the freshman seminar are kept very small - less than 20 students - so there is a very personalized experience during the first year.

The College has launched the Center for Entrepreneurship for the New West. This Center provides a unique learning environment and hands-on entrepreneurial experience for our students. Coursework in entrepreneurship is integrated with research assignments. Students are able to work directly with start-up businesses and MSU scientists who are assessing the commercial potential of their science. The Center has been honored with grants from the National Science Foundation, the Small Business Administration and the Department of Labor.

Two of the most important events in the history of the College have occurred in the last 3 years. First, the College of Business received a gift of $3 million from the friends and family of College of Business graduate Gary Bracken ('61) to establish the Gary K. Bracken Center for Excellence in Undergraduate Business Education. The gift is being used for scholarships, student and recruiter facilities and to improve coursework and programs for undergraduates. Second, Jim Alderson (also an alumnus of the College '69) and his wife Connie provided a generous gift to establish the Alderson Program in Entrepreneurship to support the entrepreneurial studies curriculum. This program has been ranked top 10 in the nation in both 2004 and 2005 by Entrepreneurship magazine.

Finally, excellence in the College curriculum and programs cannot be achieved without outstanding faculty. Since the year 2000, thirteen new faculty members have joined the College. They have their degrees from Indiana University, University of Missouri, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Ohio State University, the University of Oregon and other top programs in the country.

The College of Business at Montana State University is a vibrant and exciting place where students come first. We are dedicated to delivering excellence in the classroom and also in the way we mentor students for successful careers.

Dr. Richard J. Semenik
Dean, College of Business