The Daniels College of Business hosted its 100-year anniversary last Friday, bringing together about 300 current students, faculty, alumni and community members.
Many generations of DU alumni, some joined by their families, came to the barbeque, which was held outside on the lawn outside the DCB Building and offered guests free food and beer.
“I don’t think there’s anybody here that is that old,” said Diane Kropp, who graduated in 1960, as she laughed and joked with another DU graduate.
Chris Riordan, dean of DCB, talked about the importance of the business school and its growth throughout the years.
“It’s kind of interesting to think back to 1908 when this college was started with three students,” Riordan said.
Originally named the School of Commerce, Accounts and Finance, the business college was located in downtown Denver. The school changed the College of Business Administration in 1946 and became the Daniels College of Business in 1994, named after Bill Daniels, cable television pioneer and Denver entrepreneur, who contributed funds to revising the curriculum and build a new building.
The current building housing the school opened in 1999. In her presentation, Dean Riordan also focused on the need for new business practices to develop and adapt to adjustments in the society.
“At Daniels we do have a steadfast belief that there is a greater purpose to business and that business should be the driving force behind public good and change around the world,” Riordan said.
In 1958, a time capsule was buried at the Denver City and County Building, near the school’s original location on Arapahoe Street. “We’re kind of following that tradition and we’re burying another time capsule in the Daniels building,” said Haven Smith, college and events manager. “We’ve been collecting items throughout the year.”
The artifacts in the capsule include newspapers, worldwide event and presidential election paraphernalia, a letter from the dean, a sample of all the centennial materials, invitations to different events and other Daniels related components. Daniels recently planted 100 trees throughout campus.
“As a symbol of our commitment to the environment sustainability, over this past year we’ve planted 100 trees on campus,” said Riordan.
The 101st tree was planted “to symbolize the future going forward,” said Riordan. The tree had ribbons on it, and a sign explaining exactly what it is, making it hard to miss among the other trees.
“We wanted to beautify that campus and contribute to the environment,” said Riordan.
At the 100-year celebration, alumni reconnected with some friends from the past and met new generations of DU students.
“I’m a social butterfly and this is just a great opportunity to meet new people and why miss the 100 year anniversary?” said Earl Johnson, a Daniels graduate student.
This event provided a social atmosphere and opportunity that enabled people to find old friends and meet new ones.
“A lot of people come only during the day or at night, and you don’t really get a chance to see all the different people that are at Daniels, so this is kind of an inclusive event,” said graduate student Patricka Hogue. “You get a chance to meet people you wouldn’t get to meet.”
