The Michigan Ross Centennial: 100 Years of Impact
On Dec. 20, 1923, the regents of the University of Michigan approved establishing a School of Business Administration as an institutional unit at U-M. On July 1, 1924, the Michigan Business School was officially founded, offering only one degree — the Master of Business Administration.
100 years later, Michigan Ross has become one of the leading and most impactful business schools in the world. Over the last century, Ross has expanded degree offerings for both undergraduate and graduate students and has welcomed students, faculty, and staff from all walks of life. The programs have also expanded to include a focus on action-based learning, equipping students with real-world knowledge and skills to help them succeed post-graduation. Moreover, as the school has grown, so has its mission. Today, Michigan Ross operates on the mission of building a better world through business, and students are empowered to be purpose-driven leaders with all the tools and know-how necessary to make a positive impact in the world. The school’s commitment to its mission is especially apparent through its many centers and institutes that have been established over the years. The centers and institutes help to facilitate collaboration and education at Michigan Ross and across the university, while also bridging the gap between business education and society.
Celebrating 100 Years of Ross
The year 2024 marks the centennial anniversary of Michigan Ross, and faculty and staff from across the school have been hard at work collaborating to plan events and activities to commemorate this historic milestone.
Festivities started on Jan. 17 with a Centennial Toast and Open House in the Davidson Winter Garden. Dean Sharon Matusik spoke at the event, acknowledging the eras of innovation and change that Michigan Ross has witnessed, and the many people – faculty, staff, students, and alumni – who have been leaders in business and education, past and present.
Over the course of 2024, the centennial celebrations will be centered around the theme of “100 years of impact,” a concept that is reflected on the Michigan Ross centennial website. Already, there are a number of stories on the website that detail important aspects of Michigan Ross history and the ways in which Ross has been a global leader in business education and research. The website also includes a navigable timeline in which users can explore and learn more about significant milestones in the last 100 years of Michigan Ross history. The website will be continually updated throughout the year with additional stories and historical images that illustrate the impact of the school and the contributions of faculty, staff, students, and alumni.
In addition to the website, all members of the Michigan Ross community are encouraged to share messages of gratitude on social media, as well as their favorite memories and stories from Michigan Ross, including the individuals that have positively impacted their time on campus. Using #Ross100 will enable stories from the community to be shared all year long.
Besides the recent centennial toast, throughout the year there will be additional events to celebrate Michigan Ross’ 100 years of impact. Faculty and staff can mark their calendars for two important events that will be happening this summer and fall. On Aug. 26, the first day of fall term classes, Michigan Ross will be hosting a birthday party for the school in the Davidson Winter Garden. All faculty, staff, and students are invited to attend. The formal celebratory events will conclude on Oct. 25 with a community-wide capstone event designed to celebrate the impact of Ross. More details about these events and other activities will be shared via email, on the centennial website, and in The Ross Report, so stay tuned for more information.
