The Scott College of Business invites the public to join in on a reflection of the past and a look at what is in store for the college in the next 50 years at a free, public celebration on Friday, April 10, at Indiana State University\'s Sycamore Banquet Center in Hulman Memorial Student Union.
One thing is for sure, said Brien Smith, dean of the Scott College - a lot has changed in the past 50 years.
\"Our facilities have improved immensely from the days of being located in the Fine Arts and Science buildings, later in Statesman Towers, and today in beautiful Federal Hall in the heart of downtown Terre Haute,\" he said. \"Our programs have changed, too. Early on, we focused on teacher training and secretarial preparation, and today we excel in supply chain management, insurance and risk management, financial services, sales and other growing fields.\"
The Scott College\'s roots go back to 1918 when the department of commerce began at Indiana State Normal School with William Parsons as president. Shepherd Young was appointed head of the new department of commerce.
In 1965, the university assumed its current name - Indiana State University - and the Division of Business was changed to the School of Business, which remained the name for almost four decades until it became the first named college at Indiana State in 2009, thanks to benefactors Don and Susan Scott of Terre Haute.
Today, the Scott College of Business includes more than 1,300 students, nearly 100 staff members, three departments and 11 majors.
Since that golden year - 1964-65 - the Scott College of Business has molded generations of students for successful careers in business and as pillars of their communities.
\"But, more importantly, we have prepared them to be strong leaders,\" he said. \"Aside from the core business curriculum, we teach timeless lessons on teamwork, giving back, stewardship, ethics and valuable soft skills that continue to be in high demand.\"
While making their marks on the business world, Smith said, many of our alumni continue to find time to give back to the institution from whence they came.
\"Many of our outstanding alumni are in influential positions at companies that compete at the national and often international levels, and several continue to serve the Scott College in valuable ways, such as on our advisory boards, as guest speakers, mentors, internship hosts and more,\" he said.
The big 50th celebration will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Sycamore Banquet Center in Hulman Memorial Student Union. There will be a reception with heavy hors d\'oeuvres and cocktails from 5-6 p.m., followed by a program and special recognitions from 6 to 7 p.m. A dessert reception and champagne toast will close the evening from 7 to 8 p.m.
Registration online for the event at www.indstate.edu/business/Scott50 or by contacting Michelle Swick in the dean\'s office at michelle.swick@indstate.edu or 812-237-2000.
Additional information about the 50th anniversary event, along with photos, videos, a timeline and online guestbook may also be found on the 50th celebration website.
Writer: Betsy Simon, media relations assistant director, Office of Communications and Marketing, Indiana State University, 812-237-7972 or betsy.simon@indstate.edu