Cornell University's Undergraduate Business Program is held in high distinction:

• Only 25% of all business programs are accredited nationally.
• It ranked #14 in its debut in the 2005 U.S. News & World Report rankings of Undergraduate Business Programs.
• It is one of only two accredited undergraduate business programs in the Ivy League (Cornell and the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania).

The Undergraduate Business Program is praised for its:

• outstanding teaching and advising
• rigorous analytical courses
• innovative programs
• combination of theory & practice
• team approach and use of case studies
• guest lecturers
• broad-based, liberal arts education
• internship opportunities
• communications skills

The Undergraduate Business Program's position within Cornell

• Business is the largest Cornell major housed completely within one college; only Biology, shared by two colleges, can boast more students.
• Admission is highly competitive. In April 2004, only 19% of the students who applied were admitted to the program.
• Students of the program are talented, diverse, well-traveled, experienced and interesting.
• A new Business Advisory Council has been established.

Campaign to Support the Undergraduate Business Program

To maintain the Undergraduate Business Program's current quality and to improve it strategically to meet future needs, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences launched an ambitious fundraising campaign to raise $20 million in new funds from private sources. We are pleased to share that we have recently surpassed this goal!  Gifts and commitments to date total $20.2 million.  This funding is essential to the Program's long-term success. These funds will be used for three key needs:

Faculty Goal: $15 million

A total of $18.6 million has been given to endow eight faculty positions and a number of faculty excellence endowments.  To endow five new faculty positions.

• The Stephen B. Ashley Professorship
• The Dake Family Assistant Professorship in Applied Economics and Management
• The John S. Dyson Professorship in Marketing [given by Robert Dyson, MBA '74, and the Dyson Foundation]
• The Susan Eckert Lynch Professorship in Science and Business
• The Gellert Family Professorship in Applied Economics and Management
• The Ruth and William Morgan Assistant Professorship in Applied Economics and Management [given by an anonymous donor]
• The Peter J. and Stephanie J. Nolan Professorship in Finance
• The Nandlal P. Tolani Senior Professorship in International Trade Policy

Teaching Support Goal: $4 million

A total of $1.44 million has been raised for program endowment. To support the Undergraduate Business Program we must build a strong endowment that the department can use to support the many components of the undergraduate program. The fundraising component provides the greatest flexibility for the program to continue to provide the highest quality program possible.

Classroom Renovation Goal: $1 million

To modernize business classrooms. Computer, PowerPoint presentations, live Web access, and cross-functional teams were all unknown when Warren Hall was built in 1932. In the years since, there have been modest improvements in the Undergraduate Business Program's classrooms, but far more needs to be done.

Raising additional endowment will continue to be a priority for the College. The $20.2 million raised to date meets needs that were essential for the Undergraduate Business Program to achieve accreditation in January 2001. Since that time, and looking to the future, there remain significant high priority needs for additional professorships, graduate fellowships, program endowment, and classroom/facilities renovations.

We extend our greatest appreciation to all of you who supported this campaign and continue to support the program.

If you are interested in supporting this very important College initiative, please contact Mike Riley at 607-255-0359 or e-mail mpr2@cornell.edu.