CBE’s 50th Anniversary
CBE is 50!
It’s our 50th anniversary! Western Washington University’s Board of Trustees established the College of Business and Economics (CBE) in 1976. For five decades, students have come to CBE eager to build their futures. By graduation, they leave with greater confidence, clarity of purpose, and the skills to thrive.
Where are you now?
Alums, we want to hear from you! You are part of our legacy, and we want to reconnect and hear your story. To get started, we invite you to fill out our alumni survey.
Celebration events
We have some exciting events planned for the year, including a Conversation with Alumni Entrepreneurs on Wednesday, April 22 at Chuckanut Bay Distillery, the inaugural CBE Viking Classic Golf Tournament at Semiahmoo Golf & Country Club on Friday, Oct. 2, and a CBE Business Summit in Seattle on Thursday, Nov. 12.
Support the ‘Big 50’ Campaign
Help us celebrate our past and invest in the next generation. Our goal is to raise $5.0 million to ensure students have the same transformational opportunities for decades to come. We need your support to invest in our state-of-the-art curriculum and new degrees of the future. Our fundraising priorities:
- CBE Scholarships
- CBE Student Success
- CBE Professional and Career Readiness
- Innovation in Education
The Department of Decision Sciences (DSCI) in WWU's College of Business and Economics is a dynamic, industry-connected department that prepares students to develop data-driven strategies, improve supply chain and operational efficiency, implement effective information systems, and enhance data-driven decision making. The department offers three complementary program areas: Business Analytics (BA), Management Information Systems (MIS), and Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management (MSCM)/Operations Management (OPS). To support research in these areas, the department hosts an active research center, the Center for Operations Research and Management Science (CORMS). All three academic program areas have been areas of high demand for regional employers and continue to have higher-than-average projected job growth for 2024-2034 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics): Business Analytics 23% growth, Information Systems 9%, Manufacturing and Supply Chain 17%.
Department History
The Department of Decision Sciences (DSCI) was established in 2002. The MIS program and the Quantitative Methods group moved from the former Department of Finance, Marketing, and Decision Sciences (FMDS), while the MSCM/OPS programs moved from the Department of Management. Academic programs in the Department of DSCI have received significant support from the state of Washington via dedicated grants. In 2000, MIS faculty members, led by Dr. Floyd Lewis, successfully applied for a state grant to expand the MIS program. The proposal was funded at $483,000 per year. In 2003, a second grant proposal to expand the MSCM program was successful, awarding $222,000 per year. These grants have provided ongoing and permanent support for faculty lines, staff support, and technical resources to prepare students for jobs in the information systems and supply chain management fields.
Business Analytics (BA)
Newly launched in Fall 2025, the Business Analytics concentration in the Business Administration major addresses the surging demand for professionals who can transform data into actionable business decisions. The program was developed through a cooperative effort between industry and faculty, building on the success of a Business Analytics minor that the department had offered since 2016 - a minor that consistently attracted strong demand.
The new Business Analytics concentration has received an exceptionally strong response, with 26 students enrolled in its inaugural year and over 70 students at the start of the second year. The demand for the Business Analytics minor has also continued to be strong. Inaugural BA graduates have gone on to pursue opportunities across a range of fields, including aerospace supply, biosciences, and MBA studies
Through the Business Analytics programs, students learn how to collect and analyze data, identify patterns, and use data to make better business decisions. As BA lead faculty Dr. Ilhyung Kim puts it, “Our focus is not only analysis. Our focus is on action. Decisions.” Graduates are prepared to apply these skills in many areas, including marketing, strategy, and people management.
Alongside the launch of the Business Analytics concentration, Dr. Kim worked closely with MIS lead faculty Dr. Craig Tyran and the Department Chair Dr. Stella Hua to establish the Business Analytics/MIS Advisory Board. The new advisory board brings together industry leaders and seasoned alumni to help inform the direction, curriculum, and content of both the Business Analytics and Management Information Systems programs. Industry partners have responded enthusiastically to this initiative and to our commitment to preparing students for what they see as a rapidly evolving and growing field.
Management Information Systems (MIS)
The MIS program prepares students to serve as the bridge between organizational challenges and technical solutions. Students in the program learn to apply knowledge of business, technology, and people to create solutions that address organizational challenges, problems, and opportunities. The program offers a Business Administration concentration with specialized courses including analysis & design, database, programming, analytics, project management/teamwork, and professional/career development, complemented by the broader business core.
- Program Highlights and Impact. Since its inception, the MIS program has collaborated closely with industry partners to support student career development and program curriculum development. The newly established BA/MIS board further strengthened opportunities for faculty and student engagement with industry professionals.
- MISA Student Club. Since the inception of the MIS program, the Management Information Systems Association (MISA) has been an active student club that provides MIS students with a welcoming community of and weekly opportunities to learn from/network with professionals.
- IT Leadership. The IT Leadership program was launched in 2012 and provides students with intensive leadership development experience, preparing them to take on management and strategic roles at the intersection of business and technology. During the last two academic years (2024-2026), five ITL projects received WWU undergraduate research grants totaling $3,301 for applied AI research and innovations such as AI chatbots for academic advising, AI in procurement, and campus accessibility mapping. Notably, student teams developed and led two hands-on AI workshops for the CBE community in 2026, one on agentic AI and the other on vibe coding, attracting around 50 participants including undergraduates, MBA students, and faculty.
- Student Placement and Employers. Historically, students graduating from the MIS program have had one of the highest mean salaries and employment rates for the College and the University. Typically, over 90% of MIS graduates are employed within 6 months of graduation. In recent years, the most common employers include Ernst & Young, T-Mobile, Boeing, Amazon, Accenture, and Costco.
Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management (MSCM)
The MSCM program is one of the college's flagship offerings and a STEM-designated Bachelor of Science degree, with a history spanning more than three decades. Ranked No. 13 among top 25 North American Supply Chain Management undergraduate programs by Gartner in 2024, MSCM has been the highest paid degree in the college and serves as a vital supply chain talent pipeline for industry.
- Program History. The MSCM program was designed in 1990 by Dr. Peter Haug and Dr. Mark Springer in collaboration with the MSCM Advisory Board, led by Ms. Ginny Woodhouse of Boeing. The degree proposal was approved by the Washington State Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) on September 16, 1993. In 2003, with the guidance and support of Department Chair Dr. Floyd Lewis, Dr. Peter Haug, Dr. Mark Spring, and Dr. Stella Hua secured the department’s second state grant, which provided resources needed to expand and sustain the program.
- Program Highlights and Impact. The current MSCM curriculum integrates supply chain, engineering, and business analytics/AI. This interdisciplinary approach is supported by industry partners who recognize the growing need for data-driven decision making in the supply chain area.
- The MSCM Advisory Board, established in 1989, has been active in program support, including guest lectures, plant tours, curriculum redesign, internship and scholarship offerings, student mentorship, case competitions, and alumni networking. Employer partners range from large corporations to mid-size and smaller firms in Aerospace & Defense, Manufacturing, and Retail & Consumer, including Boeing, Microsoft, Starbucks, SpaceX, Amazon, PACCAR, Oracle, Fluke, Fastenal, Keysight Technologies, Crane Aerospace & Electronics, REI, and many more.
- Over $64,000 in scholarships are awarded to MSCM students each year.
- The MSCM internship program launched in 1991 secured nearly 1,200 internships with 320 unique partner companies in the last 15 years (2012 to 2026).
- The SAP University Alliance membership, supported by the second state grant since 2003, enabled the MSCM program to bring the world’s leading enterprise resource planning (ERP) software into the classroom and give students valuable hands-on experience.
- For intercollegiate case competitions, student teams representing the program have consistently been top performers in regional and national competitions.
- Most recent graduate outcomes report 88% placement within 3 months of graduation, with an average starting salary of $79,000.
- ASCM Student Club. Established in 1991, the ASCM student club gives students a direct connection to the supply chain profession. Meeting weekly, the club helps students develop career-readiness skills and leadership experience while engaging directly with industry. Students learn from speakers who bring the latest supply chain challenges, trends, and professional insights, participate in plant tours, and build professional connections through a growing community of 800+ alumni active on LinkedIn.
Research Center: The Center for Operations Research and Management Science (CORMS)
The Center for Operations Research and Management Science (CORMS), founded in 2013 by Dr. Zhe George Zhang, fosters international research collaborations in operations research and analytics. CORMS has hosted seven international conferences, sponsors the only Scopus-indexed journal at WWU (QMSM), regularly hosts visiting international scholars and invited seminars, and generated significant number of scholarly publications, contributing tremendously to DSCI and CBE's research profile.
Together, the Department of Decision Science’s academic programs, student organizations, advisory boards, and faculty research position the department as a comprehensive, industry-aligned department that equips students with the skills to lead in supply chain management, business analytics, and information systems.
Featured departments schedule
January and February: Economics
March and April: Management
May and June: Accounting
July and August: MBA
September and October: Decision Sciences
November and December: Finance and Marketing
Previous Months’ Featured Departments
Welcome to the 50th anniversary of the College of Business and Economics at Western Washington University! Founded in 1976, the College emerged at a pivotal moment for both Western and the world economy, reflecting decades of institutional growth and a growing recognition of the importance of economics and business education.
In the years following World War II, Western expanded beyond its original mission as a teachers' college and began developing programs across the academic spectrum, including economics, accounting, and business. Along with history, sociology, and government, these fields comprised the Department of Social Studies. By the 1960s, continued growth led to the creation of a stand-alone Department of Economics and Business, which allowed faculty leaders such as Erwin Mayer and Howard Mitchell to expand course offerings, establish a distinct major in economics, and integrate economics into the general university curriculum.
This steady institutional development unfolded alongside major transformations in the global economy. By the time the College was formed in 1976, the collapse of the Bretton Woods system, the oil shocks of the early 1970s, persistent inflation and unemployment, and ongoing debates over economic growth all underscored the central importance of economics in understanding and responding to a rapidly changing world.
As the featured department for January and February of this anniversary year, the Department of Economics celebrates its enduring role in this story. Economics formed the analytical backbone during the creation of the College — shaping curricula, informing research, and training students to think critically about markets, institutions, and public policy. As we look to the future, economics will remain essential as our students and the world at large confront new challenges, from globalization and technological change to inequality, sustainability, and shifting demographics. By grounding the College’s future in rigorous economic thinking, the Department of Economics aims to connect Western’s history to its next fifty years.
-based on excerpts from A Short Pre-History of the College of Business and Economics by Dr. Erwin S. Mayer
The Management Department has long played a central role in preparing graduates for meaningful leadership roles in their communities and beyond. Established in the mid-1980s, the department emerged from the College of Business and Economics’ early commitment to practical, forward-thinking business education. Its creation reflected a growing recognition that effective leadership, organizational strategy, and human resource development required focused academic attention. Alumni from those early years witnessed the department define its identity while refining a curriculum designed to prepare graduates for supervisory and executive responsibilities.
Over the decades, the department has continually adapted to economic and organizational change. As industries became more global and technology-driven, coursework evolved to emphasize teamwork, strategic thinking, ethical leadership, and organizational change. These were not merely curricular adjustments—they reflected the realities graduates would encounter: dynamic markets, diverse teams, and constant innovation.
Today, students pursue degrees in Management, International Business, Business & Sustainability, and Entrepreneurship & Innovation. While each program has a distinct focus, all share a commitment to experiential learning, internships, and community-based practicums. Faculty challenge students to think creatively, act boldly, and, as Dr. Tom Roehl advises, “be comfortable being uncomfortable.”
Students today benefit from decades of intentional growth and refinement. The department’s history reveals a consistent pattern: it listens, evolves, and prepares graduates not just for their first job, but for sustained leadership over a lifetime. As students move through the program, they become part of that continuing story, helping to shape the next chapter of management education at Western.
The Department of Accounting has been part of the College of Business & Economics since its founding in 1976, so we are celebrating our 50th anniversary alongside the college!
The department has thrived and expanded over the years, with its academic offerings shifting over time to reflect the changing business world. We are fortunate to count a great many alumni and industry partners as strong supporters of the department, and it is always gratifying to see our graduates take the next step in their lives, often by joining the accounting firms and area businesses that support us so enthusiastically.
Our ties with alumni run deep: every year, Western accounting grads return for the many events we host, helping to encourage and nurture the next generation of talent. Indeed, many of our alums act as mentors to our students throughout their academic and professional lives. In this anniversary year, our focus is on celebrating the strength of these relationships, with a series of events dedicated to bringing together students, alumni and professionals.
We kick off with our Spring Banquet, where we recognize the achievements of our outstanding students and induct new members into Beta Alpha Psi. This year, we will celebrate Beta Alpha Psi at Western Through the Ages, with some of our founding members in attendance. This is followed by a meeting of our distinguished advisory board members, and finally, our crowning event of the year: the Accounting Cracked Crab Cruise, where more than 80 alums and faculty will sail through Bellingham Bay for a sunset dinner cruise aboard the Victoria Star.
These events will draw together multiple generations of students and alumni, going back to graduates as early as 1979. That includes our very own Ron Singleton, the longest-serving member of our faculty, and as energetic and dynamic as ever. This summer, Ron will fulfill a lifelong dream by leading our first-ever student trip to his beloved Japan as part of our Global Immersion program. As with all we do, our goal is to broaden our students’ horizons, help them see first-hand where accounting can take them, and inspire them to greatness in their future.
Since 1978, the Western Washington University MBA Program has prepared leaders to make a meaningful impact in business, government, nonprofits, and communities across the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Now, as a proud part of the College of Business and Economics, we celebrate the college’s 50th anniversary.
From our beginnings as an evening MBA program for working professionals, we’ve grown to offer a range of options. Over the decades, the program continually evolved to meet changing needs, with options such as the full-time MBA, the weekend MBA in Everett, accelerated and daytime MBAs, and, coming in 2027, a hybrid MBA for even greater flexibility.
The Western MBA Program has graduated 1,327 since spring of 1981, creating a powerful network of leaders making an impact across industries, organizations, and communities. Their success is a testament to the strength of the program and the dedication of the faculty, staff, employers, and business leaders who have supported generations of students.
Our alumni remain deeply connected to the program as guest speakers, mentors, recruiters, advisory board members, and champions of the Western MBA. This anniversary honors those relationships and creates new opportunities for students, alumni, faculty, and friends to reconnect and celebrate.
The celebrations begin on August 5 with our 50th Anniversary Celebration at Stemma West Brewery & Beer Garden in Bellingham, bringing together alumni from across five decades, current students, faculty, staff, and community partners to reconnect and celebrate the lasting impact of Western’s MBA community.
The festivities continue October 2 at the College of Business and Economics Viking Classic Golf Tournament at Semiahmoo Golf and Country Club in Blaine, bringing together alumni, corporate partners, and supporters for a day of connection and camaraderie.
These events celebrate more than a milestone — they celebrate the people who have shaped the Western MBA Program over the past 50 years and the collaborative spirit, lifelong relationships, and commitment to leadership that have defined the program since its inception.
As we proudly reflect on the past five decades, we also look ahead with excitement. The launch of the hybrid MBA in 2027 marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter, building on a legacy of innovation while expanding opportunities for students wherever they live and work. Guided by exceptional faculty, strengthened by an engaged alumni network, and supported by dedicated industry partners, the Western MBA Program will continue preparing principled, innovative leaders for the next 50 years and beyond.
“While preparing for our 50th anniversary celebration, I explored the MBA archives and was fascinated by the documents that helped shape our program in the 1970s. I discovered a mix of familiar and unfamiliar names and was delighted to find that a few early contributors are still my colleagues today.
Much has changed in 50 years, but the foundation of the MBA Program remains the same: to equip students with the skills, knowledge, and perspective to become impactful leaders. We were doing that in 1978, and we are still doing it today. It is incredibly meaningful to be part of a program that has continuously evolved with the times while staying true to our founding purpose.”
— Kati Johnson, MBA Director
Celebrate with CBE!
A Conversation with Alumni Entrepreneurs, April 22
An evening of inspiration, connection, and community with two alumni entrepreneurs.
Event is in the past. Read about it here.
CBE Viking Classic Golf Tournament, Oct. 2
Join us at the inaugural CBE Viking Classic Golf Tournament at the beautiful Semiahmoo Golf & Country Club in Blaine.
AI in Supply Chain: How to use it, where to start, and who is out ahead
Join us for the Decision Sciences AI Supply Chain Panel, a networking event celebrating the CBE 50th anniversary
When:
Thursday, Oct 22, 2026, 5 - 7:30 p.m.
Location:
Bellingham Cruise Terminal, Dome Room, 355 Harris Avenue
Cost:
Free to faculty and students, alumni.Industry leaders register for $20 per person, includes dinner.
CBE Business Summit in Seattle, Nov. 12
CBE Celebrates 50 Years of Excellence with the Return of the CBE Business Summit in Seattle: A dynamic day of learning, networking, and inspiration culminates with keynote speaker David McFadden at Seattle's Bell Harbor Conference Center.
When:
Thursday, Nov 12, 1- 8 p.m.
Location:
Bell Harbor Conference Center
2211 Alaskan Wy
Seattle, WA 98121
Get more information and register for the CBE Business Summit here.
Alumni Stories
Complete the short survey to contribute to our 50 Years of Alumni website and “Where Are You Now” project. We’ll highlight stories online and create a commemorative yearbook featuring CBE alumni near and far. You will also have a chance to opt-in to hearing more about upcoming 50th year celebration events for students, alumni, and community throughout western Washington.
Tap the link or scan the QR code to get started.
Highlights from the last 50 years
1976
In January of 1976, the College of Business and Economics is formed under the leadership of transitional Dean Howard Mitchell.
1976
Dean Robert Collier chosen to head the new College.
1976
The Intalco Distinguished Lecture Series is created by a gift from the Intalco Aluminum Company of Ferndale with an initial grant of $5,000 per year.
1977
A Department of Social and Health Services grant of $100,000 assisted in the planning and implementation of an MBA program.
1978
The Center for Economic Education — now the Center for Economic and Financial Education — is established with the objective of improving the quality and expanding the scope of economic education in the state of Washington.
1978
The Center for Economic and Business research is created and issues first two reports: a student report titled “The Impact of the Alaska Ferry on Bellingham,” and a faculty report titled “The Early History of the College of Business and Economics.”
1979
The Real Estate Research Committee for Whatcom County is formed with WWU playing a leading role.
1979
Enrollment in the College of Business and Economics doubles reaching 1,500 majors.
1979
Over the last two examinations, CBE’s Accounting graduates score better on the CPA exam than those from any other school in the state.
1979
The first class of the MBA program starts.
1980
The Small Business Institute begins providing analysis and consulting for small businesses.
1981
J. Ronnie Davis is named dean in July of 1981. Davis leaves after winter quarter 1983 for the University of South Alabama, returning to the gulf coast where he grew up.
1981
The building that will one day be Parks Hall is under construction. Photo via Western Libraries Special Collections Campus History Collection.
1982
CBE moves into the South Academic Building (later renamed Parks Hall). Originally, the building housed CBE and the speech pathology and audiology department.
1983
Western’s Small Business Development Center begins providing free, confidential advising, technical assistance, and research to business owners and managers in an effort to help businesses thrive.
1983
Dennis Murphy, a WWU alumnus, becomes dean of the College of Business and Economics, a position he holds for 25 years — from 1983 to 2007.
Photo: Dennis Murphy stands in front of photos of the first four deans of CBE. Courtesy of Bruce Wonder.
1983
The Winter 1983 issue of Résumé, the WWU alumni magazine, announces the renaming of South Academic Building to Parks Hall, named in honor of university benefactor Maynard Parks, a retired railroad executive, and the late M. Patricia Parks. They were owners of a valuable property on Lake Samish and were so impressed by Western’s rowing team practicing on the lake, they decided to donate the property to Western.
1984
The former Department of Business Administration is divided into the departments of Management and Finance, Marketing, and Decision Sciences (FMDS). Eugene Owens chairs Management and Earl Benson chairs FMDS.
1988
The Ross Distinguished Professor of Canada-United States Business and Economics Relations is established through an endowment by the government of Canada and the state of Washington. The professorship was created in memory of G. Robert Ross, Western’s president from 1983 until his death in 1987.
1990
The Summer 1990 issue of Résumé, the WWU alumni magazine, reports: “After a three-year effort, the College of Business and Economics has gained accreditation of its bachelor’s and master’s programs from the Accreditation Council of the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business. Only 255 of the about 1,200 colleges and universities in the United States offering undergraduate business degrees and just more than a third of the 600 offering master’s degrees are AACSB accredited.”
1990-ish
Western launches the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, an IRS-sponsored national program that provides free tax assistance and learning for campus and community members.
1990s
CBE launches an evening MBA program.
1993
CBE creates the Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management program combining an operations-based business education, select engineering curriculum, and relevant internship experience.
1995-96
Haskell Plaza circa 1995. Photo by Lori McGriff-Boroughs. Photo via Western Libraries Special Collections Campus History Collection.
1996
Haskell Plaza, named for donors F. Murray and Betty Haskell, is complete. Designed by Campbell & Campbell, the plaza won a Seattle American Institute of Architects award for the landscape design which uses paving, rocks, and earthen mounds to suggest the islands and waters of the Salish Sea.
2002
A July 3 fire destroys a computer room on the third floor of Parks Hall. There was extensive smoke and water damage and everyone had to relocate for the rest of summer, but the building was repaired in time for fall quarter. Photo courtesy of Bruce Wonder.
2002
The Department of Finance, Marketing, Decision Sciences splits: The Department of Decision Sciences, chaired by Floyd Lewis, offers study in Management Information Systems (MIS), Operations Management (OPS), with additional course work in quantitative methods. The Department of Finance and Marketing, chaired by Terrell Williams, offers study in several related fields of business administration relating to financial and marketing management
2004
The Western Business Summit is initiated with the goal of recognizing and promoting excellence in business education at WWU by fostering connections among business professionals, faculty, staff, and students.
2008
The Center for Economic Vitality (CEV) is founded and provides business counseling and export assistance to Washington businesses. CEV is in operation through 2012.
2009
Brian Burton is named dean of the College. In 2013, Burton leaves CBE to become associate vice president for WWU's Academic Affairs.
2009
The MBA program is ranked in the top 100 (72nd) programs worldwide by the Aspen Institute.
2010
The Small Business Development Center opens an office at 115 Unity St., Suite 101, in downtown Bellingham as a service for local businesses.
2010
CBE launches an Everett-based weekend MBA program.
2012
Dean Emeritus Dennis Murphy receives the Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award. Murphy received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Western and returned in 1979 to serve more than 30 years at his alma mater.
2013
A $500,000 pledge from Moss Adams puts the firm's name on the soon-to-be launched professional readiness center.
2013
A $500,000 gift from WWU alumnus and retired Microsoft vice president David W. Cole and his wife Denise — who also attended Western — enables WWU to hire its first professor of Entrepreneurship, the David Cole Professor of Entrepreneurship, to provide leadership for and teach courses in a new Entrepreneurship minor.
2014
Craig Dunn is appointed to a two-year term as dean following a year as interim dean. Dunn began at WWU in 2005 and is currently the Emeritus Wilder Distinguished Professor of Business and Sustainability.
2016
Scott Young is selected as dean. Young serves as dean until 2023 and continues to teach in the department of Decision Sciences.
2016
WWU graduates the first group of students in the Poulsbo-based Business Administration bachelor’s degree program at Olympic College.
2016
The Small Business Development Center opens a satellite office in Barkley Village.
2018
The Career Closet receives its first donations. Initially the resource was to be housed in CBE, but the response is so big that CBE runs out of space and the Career Closet is moved to the Career Center.
2019
The Small Business Development Center opens an office in Poulsbo.
2022
The WWU Small Business Development Center transitions to a hybrid service provision model and closes the Cornwall office, consolidating into the Barkley office.
2023
Deanna Kennedy is chosen as dean of the College of Business and Economics.
2024
WWU launches the Merriman Financial Literacy Program. Founded through a generous commitment from alumnus and financial educator Paul Merriman (’66) and his wife Zan Merriman, the program offers free financial literacy courses and financial literacy peer mentorship.
2026
Help us celebrate CBE’s next 50 years of educating students!