Bennett S. LeBow College of Business

Bennett S. LeBow College of Business is the business school of Drexel University, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1896, it is one of the oldest business schools in the United States and is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The college offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate, graduate, and executive education programs, emphasizing experiential learning through its cooperative education program. It is named for benefactor and former Drexel University board chairman Bennett S. LeBow.

History

The origins of the college trace back to 1896 with the founding of the Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry, which initially offered business-related courses. In 1945, the School of Business Administration was formally established, later becoming the College of Business and Administration. A significant transformation occurred in 1999 following a substantial gift from alumnus and corporate financier Bennett S. LeBow, leading to the renaming in his honor. Throughout its history, the college has expanded its academic portfolio and global footprint, establishing key partnerships with institutions like the Berlin School of Economics and Law and launching programs in emerging fields such as business analytics and sports business.

Academics

The college provides a wide array of degree programs, including Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, specialized master's degrees, and the Master of Business Administration. A defining feature of the undergraduate curriculum is the Drexel cooperative education program, which integrates professional work experience with academic study. Graduate offerings include an Executive MBA and specialized degrees in areas like Finance, Marketing, and Accounting. The college is also home to the first MBA program in the United States focused specifically on the business of medicine, offered in conjunction with the Drexel University College of Medicine.

Research centers and institutes

Several specialized centers drive research and industry engagement. The Center for Corporate Governance focuses on issues of board leadership and ethics, while the Bohdan E. Kwasniewski Research Center supports financial market analysis. The Institute for Strategic Leadership develops executive education programs, and the Rothman Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship fosters startup creation and innovation. Additional hubs include the Sport Management Center and the Center for Teaching Excellence, which advances pedagogical innovation across the curriculum.

Campus and facilities

The college is primarily housed in Gerri C. LeBow Hall, a modern, technologically advanced building located on Drexel's University City campus. This facility features specialized trading rooms with data feeds from Bloomberg and Reuters, collaborative learning spaces, and behavioral research labs. The building also contains the Dean's Suite and the Alumni Lounge, facilitating administration and networking. The college leverages other university resources, including the W. W. Hagerty Library and the nearby Pennovation Center, an incubator for technology ventures.

Notable people

Distinguished faculty have included economists like the late Constantine E. Anagnostopoulos and former Securities and Exchange Commission commissioner A. A. Sommer Jr.. Notable alumni span various industries, including former MCI Inc. chairman Bert C. Roberts Jr., former United States Secretary of the Army Louis Caldera, and Comcast senior executive David L. Cohen. The college's namesake, Bennett S. LeBow, was a prominent figure in the tobacco industry and corporate turnarounds. Other prominent graduates include National Basketball Association executive Pat Williams and Urban Outfitters co-founder Scott Belair.

Category:Drexel University Category:Business schools in Pennsylvania Category:Educational institutions established in 1896 Category:Universities and colleges in Philadelphia