History
Who is G. W. Haworth? As one of just two named colleges at WMU, the College of Business and the Haworth family, owners of furniture giant Haworth, Inc., teamed up to build a modern facility to house the college. Built in 1992, Schneider Hall is the official home of the Haworth College of Business. Haworth is a 1937 graduate of WMU. His son,, Dick Haworth, chairman emeritus of Haworth, Inc., is a 1966 graduate of the WMU College of Business.
1940s
Established in 1949 as the Department of Business Studies, the Haworth College of Business has become a leader in business education and research.
1950s
- In 1956, the department was designated as the School of Business with two departments: Accounting and General Business.
- In 1958, the Department of Business Education was established.
1960s
Classes met in East Hall for many years before the College moved to its current home, Schneider Hall, in 1991.
- The first Bachelor and Master of Business Administration degrees were granted in 1953 and 1961, respectively, starting a tradition of business education excellence.
- In 1962 the Departments of Management and Marketing were founded.
- The College established an MBA program in Grand Rapids in 1964.
- The Master of Science in Accountancy program began offering courses.
19702 East Hall business education lab.
1970s
- School of Business becomes the College of Business, recognizing the distinct disciplines.
- AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business - awards accreditation for undergraduate programs.
1980s
- Accreditation for graduate programs was granted in 1981. Graduate and undergraduate programs have been reaccredited.
- The College of Business is renamed the Haworth College of Business after Haworth, Inc., founder G. W. Haworth supports its capital campaign.
1990s
Schneider Hall, on WMU's Business campus, houses the Haworth College of Business.
- In 1991, the College moved to its current building, Schneider Hall, named for the founding dean, Arnold Schneider.
- The Integrated Supply Management program launched in 1992 as one of the first undergraduate business programs to incorporate engineering disciplines into its core curriculum.
2000s
- The addition of a dedicated Career Center provides additional support of business students by engaging them in career development experiences that help them to launch satisfying careers.
- In 2009, the internationally known Food & Consumer Package Goods Marketing program celebrated its 50th year.
Deans of the College
| 1947-74 |
Arnold Schneider |
Founding dean, Arnold Schneider. |
| 1974-92 |
Darrell Jones |
| 1992-93 |
Lowell Crow-interim |
| 1993-96 |
David Vellenga |
| 1996-97 |
F. William McCarty - interim |
| 1997-04 |
James Schmotter |
| 2004-06 |
Ed Edwards - interim |
| 2006-09 |
David Shields |
| 2009-10 |
Ajay Samant- interim |
| 2010-present |
Kay Palan |
