September 11, 1997
College of Business Administration spans 50 years
by Jerry Dauterive, Ph.D., Associate Dean of the CBA
In 1997 the College of Business Administration celebrates
its 50th anniversary. Its roots extend back to the mid-1800s when the
first Jesuits arrived in Louisiana.
The Jesuits were among the earliest settlers of New Orleans, accompanying Iberville on his second expedition and eventually establishing the College of the Immaculate Conception at the corner of Baronne and Common streets in 1849.
In 1886, the Jesuits purchased property on St. Charles Avenue across from Audubon Park and, in 1911, when the Jesuit schools in New Orleans were reorganized, Immaculate Conception College became exclusively a college preparatory school and was given the preparatory students of Loyola College. The downtown institution relinquished its higher departments to Loyola, which was in the process of becoming a university.
In 1912, the university was chartered by the state of Louisiana to grant university degrees. Construction of the campus began that year, and with the advice and financial support of New Orleans citizens, the new university grew dramatically.
From 1926 to 1947, a four-year degree program leading to a bachelor of science degree in economics was offered by the College of Arts and Sciences.
In 1947, the Department of Commerce of the College of Arts and Sciences became known as the College of Business Administration, granting a bachelor of business administration degree. The college moved into newly-completed Stallings Hall shortly thereafter. John V. Connor was its first dean.
In 1950, the college was admitted to associate membership in the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and in 1957, the college was admitted to full membership under the leadership of Dean Henry Engler, (A'38, B'49).
The graduate division of the college was established in 1961 with the creation of the master of business administration program. The graduate program was accredited by the AACSB in 1974 during the tenure of Dean Lowell C. Smith. The CBA's undergraduate and graduate programs were reaccredited in 1984.
The college assumed responsibility for the university's evening undergraduate business programs in 1978. Previously, Loyola's City College offered the bachelor of arts in commerce degree to evening students. The CBA's evening BBA program has the same business curriculum as the BBA offered to day-division students. Today, all business degree programs at Loyola University New Orleans are offered through the College of Business Administration.
In 1979, the juris doctor/master of business administration (JD/MBA) program was implemented in cooperation with the School of Law. The program was designed for individuals who wish to integrate graduate-level work in law and business.
In 1983, the college was renamed the Joseph A. Butt, S.J., College of Business Administration in honor of the Jesuit priest who taught generations of Loyola business students. The college moved to Miller Hall, its present home, in 1986.
In 1993, the college added two degree programs: the bachelor of accountancy, which is offered for students who wish to pursue a career in public accounting, and the master of quality management, which provides graduate-level instruction for those seeking an in-depth education in designing, implementing, and maintaining quality management programs.
During 199596, the CBA was involved in a rigorous self-evaluation as part of the process for reaccreditation by the AACSB. The college was reaccredited in 1997.
A banquet scheduled for Saturday, September 27, at the Sheraton Hotel, will celebrate the CBA's 50th anniversary. Call the Office of Alumni and Parent Relations at ext. 5454 for more information.