Friday, Nov 1, 2019
University celebrated its first Master of Business Administration graduates in 1970
by Adam Grybowski
For 50 years, Rider University's graduate business programs have consistently helped students reach their potential as business leaders. Rider's Norm Brodsky College of Business is marking the half-century milestone this year with a year-long celebration.
"We hope that current students and alumni, as well as faculty and staff, will join us throughout this historic year as we commemorate our legacy of graduate business excellence," says Dr. Ron Cook, associate dean of graduate programs in the Norm Brodsky College of Business.
Rider launched its Master of Business Administration program in 1968 and graduated its first class in 1970. From that initial class of nine, Rider's business graduate programs have grown to include more than 5,000 alumni. Currently, more than 250 Rider alumni are CEOs, presidents and organizational leaders.
Rider launched its Master of Accountancy program in 1996 and introduced the Executive Master of Business Administration in 2005. The University's business graduate programs also include corporate finance and information systems.
Rider's business and accounting programs, on the graduate and undergraduate level, hold dual accreditation by the AACSB International — the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. This distinction is held by less than 2% of programs worldwide, reflecting the University's commitment to excellence.
"Rider's EMBA program gave me a global perspective and the understanding that I am a citizen of the world," says Lynch Hunt '19, a recent graduate of the EMBA program who is currently an assistant vice president, retirement investments product manager at Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
Eighty-five percent of faculty who teach in business graduate programs hold terminal degrees. Adjunct faculty bring additional expertise from their professional industry experience to the classroom.
"Our faculty are true experts in their fields, contributing to their academic disciplines through scholarship and research, work in industry, and leadership in their professions," Cook says. "Most importantly, they actively engage students in and out of the classroom and encourage their participation in experiential learning opportunities that foster positive outcomes."
On May 7, 2020, the Norm Brodsky College of Business Hall of Fame will honor a new class of alumni who have shaped and strengthened the University, the community and their profession. Nominations are now being accepted. Other upcoming events that will celebrate the anniversary include BroncX Talks, which take the form of TED Talks, an evening with Rider's executives in residence and several career panels.
Rider has a long history of excellence in business education that extends beyond the legacy of its graduate programs. The University was founded in 1865 to prepare returning Civil War soldiers for commercial professions. Today, 1,365 of its approximately 5,000 undergraduates and graduate students study business.
In October, Rider held a special ceremony to announce a $10 million gift to the University from entrepreneur Norm Brodsky ’64 and his wife and business partner, Elaine. Their gift, which will endow a scholarship for business students and support future business school projects, is the largest donation ever received by the University.
The Norm Brodsky College of Business — the first college at the University to be named for an alumnus — offers a total of five graduate programs and numerous certificate programs to prepare individuals for a complex and competitive job market, in addition to 16 undergraduate majors and eight minors.
For more on the anniversary, please visit http://explore.rider.edu/business50.