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The peoples of the Eastern Mediterranean, known as Levantines, also
known as Phoenicians, have been great mariners and traders since the beginning
of time. They circled the globe, seeking buyers for their wares and also
searching for merchandise to sell on their return trip. With time, this
trade developed into a thriving commerce. It was not strange, then, that
a school like the Syrian Protestant College, on the eastern shores of
the Mediterranean, decided to add a new discipline to its curriculum at
the ripe age of 34. So it was that the School of Commerce was established
in 1900 to cater to the needs of the region.
Writing about the new school in 1910, Al-Kulliyah reported: "When
some years ago the College decided to add to its other departments a School
of Commerce, the announcement came to many of the graduates and friends
as a surprise; the plan was looked upon as a novelty."
Many wondered what service such a school could render; was its
purpose so that "men should go to college and study for several years
as preparation for .... measuring off piece goods, making change, and
weighing out groceries and vegetables."?
Civilized nations gave medicine, pharmacy, and law the rank of
professions; men of these professions were given special privileges. "Many
states found it expedient to safeguard the property interest of their
people by creating a commercial profession, on an equality rank with medicine
and law...." Al Kulliyah said.
"Before this can be done, however, there must be a supply
of efficient men, men with a thorough, scientific knowledge of the subjects
involved. Not only should he be a man of exceptional ability, but with
his skill and knowledge he must combine a high sense of business integrity."
The article continues: "From the first, the definite aim was
the training of leaders and organizers of commercial enterprise rather
than the preparation of men for clerical positions."
Today the only difference is that instead of "preparation
of men", it is preparation of men and women.
The
Story of Business at AUB
How did
this School of Commerce develop into a school of business?
1900-01 to
1927-1928 School of Commerce
1928-29 to 1949-1950 Commerce and Economics (under Arts and Sciences)
1950-51 to 1956-1957 Department of Commerce (under Arts and Sciences)
1957-58 to 1979-1980 Department of Business Administration (under
Arts and Sciences)
1980-81 to 1983-1984 TAG Graduate School of Business & Management
(under Arts and Sciences)
1984-85 to 1999-2000 Graduate School of Business & Management
(under Arts and Sciences)
2000-01 School of Business
From a separate School of Commerce directed by Edward F. Nickoley
it merged in 1928 into the School of Arts & Sciences (later the Faculty
of Arts & Sciences), to emerge in 2000 as a separate School of Business
under the deanship of George Najjar.
A
Century Of Degrees, Diplomas And Certificates
The following
degrees were awarded:
| |
Men |
Women |
Total |
| Bachelor
of Commerce |
156 |
-- |
156 |
| Bachelor
of Business Administration |
3,011 |
1,563 |
4,574 |
| Master
of Business Administration |
528 |
295 |
823 |
| Total |
3,695 |
1858 |
5,553 |
A number
of certificates and diplomas were also awarded:
| Commercial
Certificate1902-1922 |
38 |
-- |
38 |
| Short
Course Commerce 1923-1939 |
192 |
-- |
192 |
| Brief
Business Course 1940-1955 |
143 |
-- |
143 |
| Brief
Business Course (Diploma) 1956-1963 |
122 |
53 |
175 |
| Total |
495 |
53 |
548 |
Who
were the "firsts" chronologically?
Michel F.J.
ABCARIUS BC,
1903
Abdallah ADRA
BBA, 1929
Virgine AVEDISSIAN BBA,
1931 (first woman)
Souheil CHAMIEH MBA,
1946
Angelina SALHAB el-HELOU MBA,1958 (first
woman).
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Compiled by Nabeel G. Ashkar, BBA 1945, Honorary University Marshal
Sources: Jafet Memorial Library Archives; Office of the Registrar; Office
of Information; Personal files
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