Darla Moore School of Business

Darla Moore School of Business
Name	Darla Moore School of Business
Established	1919
Parent	University of South Carolina
Dean	Wendy York
City	Columbia, South Carolina
Country	United States

Darla Moore School of Business is the business school of the University of South Carolina, located in Columbia, South Carolina. Founded in 1919, it is named for its prominent benefactor, the financier and philanthropist Darla Moore. The school is particularly renowned for its top-ranked programs in international business and supply chain management, consistently placing among the nation's elite in these disciplines according to publications like U.S. News & World Report.

History

The school traces its origins to the 1919 establishment of a College of Commerce within the University of South Carolina. For much of its early history, it operated as a department before evolving into a distinct school. A transformative moment occurred in 1998 following a landmark $25 million gift from Darla Moore, a notable alumna and a powerful figure on Wall Street and in private equity. This donation, one of the largest of its kind to a public business school at the time, led to the school being renamed in her honor. Subsequent significant support, including a $10 million commitment from the Sonoco Products Company in 2013, has further bolstered its growth and focus on areas like global logistics.

Academics

The school offers a comprehensive portfolio of degree programs, including Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Master of Business Administration, specialized master's degrees, and a Doctor of Philosophy. Its curriculum is distinguished by a mandatory international business component for undergraduates, reflecting its global orientation. The school's Master of International Business program has been ranked number one in the nation for over two decades by U.S. News & World Report. Other highly ranked specialties include its programs in supply chain management and insurance. Faculty research is supported through numerous centers like the Center for Global Supply Chain and Process Management and the Riegel & Emory Human Resource Center.

Campus and facilities

The school is primarily housed in a modern, 256,000-square-foot building that opened in 2014 at the corner of Assembly Street and Park Street in downtown Columbia, South Carolina. This state-of-the-art facility was designed by the architecture firm Boora Architects and features expansive classroom spaces, team rooms, and trading laboratories equipped with data feeds from Bloomberg L.P. and Reuters. The building also includes the Darla Moore School of Business Library, which provides specialized resources for business research, and the Nexus for Applied Learning, which connects students with experiential projects from corporate partners.

Rankings and reputation

The school maintains a strong national and international reputation, particularly for its specialized graduate programs. As noted, its Master of International Business program has held the #1 ranking from U.S. News & World Report for over 25 consecutive years. Its undergraduate program in international business is also consistently ranked first. The school's supply chain management programs are frequently ranked among the top five nationally by sources like Gartner and U.S. News & World Report. The Princeton Review regularly includes the school in its lists for best business schools and career prospects.

Student life and organizations

Student life is enriched by over 30 professional and social organizations, including chapters of major national honor societies like Beta Gamma Sigma and professional fraternities such as Alpha Kappa Psi. The school hosts competitive teams in events like the CFA Institute Research Challenge and various case competitions. The Moore School Student Association serves as the primary governing body, while other groups focus on specific interests like the Graduate Finance Association, the Marketing Association, and the Operations and Supply Chain Club. Many students also participate in study abroad programs facilitated through the school's Center for International Business Education and Research.

Notable alumni and faculty

Prominent alumni include the school's namesake, Darla Moore, a managing partner of Rainwater, Inc. and the first woman featured on the cover of Forbes (magazine). Other distinguished graduates include former Governor of South Carolina and United States Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, and former CEO of Sonoco Products Company, Harris E. DeLoach Jr.. The faculty has included renowned scholars such as M. Dane Rogers Professor Patrick J. Byrne in finance and experts in international business like former dean John J. McConnell.

Category:University of South Carolina Category:Business schools in South Carolina Category:Educational institutions established in 1919