P A C I F I C   L U T H E R A N   U N I V E R S I T Y

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Building Bridges

The PLU School of Business continues its reputation of excellence

By Drew Brown, Editor

BACHELOR’S PROGRAM PROFILE FALL 2000 Total BBA Students 532 Transfer Students 185 Graduates in 2000 137 Average Class Size 21 Total program graduates 3,766 BACHELOR’S PROGRAM PROFILE FALL 2000 Founded 1965 AACSB Accreditation 1976 Number of Students Enrolled 106 Average Class Size 17 Average age 28 Average years work experience 7%       with work experience 97% Average entering GPA 3.18 Average GMAT Score 551 Total program graduates 1,003

CUTTING EDGE PROGRAMS, STUDENTS TRAVELING ACROSS THE GLOBE, GRADUATES POISED TO LEAD IN THE BUSINESS WORLD AND A DEPARTMENT LOOKING DEEP INTO THE FUTURE. THE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS HAS DEVELOPED AN INDELIBLE LEGACY THAT HAS GROWN OVER 40 YEARS—AND IT KEEPS GETTING STRONGER.

"Looking to the future” is a catch phrase used by nearly every institution and business in America. No school admits to resting on their laurels, or admits just trying to keep up with the fast-paced modern business environment. The proof comes with the ease in which an organization makes its way into a new era of development.

“In business, the key is to continually refine your niche,” said School of Business Dean Donald Bell. “We don’t ask ‘How has the business climate changed?’ We ask, ‘Where do we need to go in order to stay ahead of the changes?’”

The goals for the School of Business in the first years of the 21st Century are clear. The school wants to continue: developing academic programs that understand the needs of business professionals in the future; engaging students in the community around them, and in a globalized society; utilizing technology to improve learning; and focusing their mission statement to make it “come alive”.

PLU is already meeting these challenges, making its mission statement, “A Bridge Connecting Students with the Future” not a goal, but a continuing mission of success.

“Our product is our people—our faculty, students, and alumni,” Bell said. “The goal is to continue PLU’s long history of excellence, and they all reflect that.”