January 7, 2013
Pacific University Adds College of Business
University's fifth college will begin operation in July
FOREST GROVE -- Pacific University president Lesley Hallick has announced a
new College of Business that will begin operating on July 1, 2013.
The university's Board of Trustees approved a proposal to add the college during a
meeting last month based on recommendations from the faculty and staff senates
and University Council.
The College of Business will be led by Founding Dean Howard L. Smith and joins
Pacific's existing colleges of Arts & Sciences, Education, Health Professions and
Optometry.
Smith came to Pacific last summer following a highly successful post as dean of
business and vice president of university advancement at Boise State University.
Prior to that, Smith served as dean of the Anderson School of Management and
professor at the University of New Mexico.
Initial offerings within the College of Business will be undergraduate degrees in the
areas of marketing, finance, accounting, international business and integrated
business, programs that previously have been offered within the university's College
of Arts & Sciences.
Business Department faculty will move from the College of Arts & Sciences to the
new College of Business.
"Elevating our programs to the level of a college will be a significant attraction for
prospective students who value our small, personal learning environment and who
endeavor to make their mark on the world through business and management,"
Hallick said.
Smith indicated the college will seek accreditation from the most recognized
accrediting organization, the Association to Advance College Schools of Business -International. Only five percent of business schools and colleges worldwide meet or
exceed the AACSB's rigorous standards.
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs John Miller said the popularity of
a business degree among undergraduate students, factored into the Board of
Trustee's initial exploration 15 months ago of adding a College of Business. Thirteen
percent of students currently major in business and non-majors often take business
courses or focus on a minor.
-more-
"In concert with the President's Vision 2020 focus on globalization, we want to
increase our number of international students," Miller said. "For many of them,
business is the most popular program, especially with AACSB accreditation."
Hallick believes Pacific is well-positioned to prepare students to become world and
local business leaders, given its status as the only four-year university in Washington
County — Oregon’s economic hub and home to such global giants as Nike and
Intel.
"The creation of this college marks the opportunity to partner with our neighboring
industries, to develop internship and networking options for students, graduates and
corporations, and to educate the next generations of creative and thoughtful leaders
and entrepreneurs," she said.
The addition of the college will fortify Pacific University's reputation as an
institution that promotes interdisciplinary endeavors resulting from a strong liberal
arts foundation.
"Students will continue to cross between colleges as they take a rich selection of
business and liberal arts courses," Hallick said. "The liberal arts base feeds business
students’ intellectual curiosity and creativity, preparing them to excel in innovation
and entrepreneurship."
Smith said the College of Business curriculum will give students exposure to realworld applications, study abroad opportunities, internships and an environment for
all students to develop and implement a “micro-business."
"The college will also develop extensive relations with other globally-focused
international universities and will welcome international students to Pacific
University," he added. “We will be selective and focus on specific niches and strive
to be superior in those initiatives."
-pacificu.eduFounded in 1849, Pacific University (Ore.) cultivates exceptional leaders in the areas of liberal arts,
science, teaching, health professions and business.