Seidman College of Business

Seidman College of Business
TypePublic
Established1970
DeanDiana Lawson
Academic staff
91
Undergraduates3,433
Postgraduates349
Location
Grand Rapids
,
Michigan
,
United States
Campusurban
Websitehttp://www.gvsu.edu/seidman

The Seidman College of Business is an American business school operated by Grand Valley State University. The college is named after Francis E. Seidman, one of the principal founders of the BDO Seidman accounting firm and the father of businessman (and later FDIC Chairman) L. William Seidman, who helped found GVSU.[1] The college is located at GVSU's Pew Grand Rapids campus in downtown Grand Rapids.[2][3]

It offers bachelor's and master's degrees with several degree options. The college is a part of The Washington Campus which is a consortium of business schools that was established by L. William Seidman in 1978.[4]

History

The Seidman College of Business began in 1970 as the School of Business and Economics. In 1973, through a generous donation by the Seidman Family Foundation, the F.E. Seidman Graduate College was formed. Seidman expanded again in 1979 when the undergraduate and graduate programs were merged into one place, the Seidman College. After a university restructuring, Seidman College was renamed the Seidman School of Business in 1983. Finally, in July 2004, Seidman was given its current title, the Seidman College of Business.[5]

Programs

U.S. News & World Report lists Seidman as a "Best Undergraduate Business Program" as well as ranking the Part-time MBA.[6]

Seidman College offers students graduate programs in Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Science in Accounting (MSA), and Master of Science in Taxation (MST). It also offers undergraduate programs in accounting, business economics, general business, finance, international business, management, marketing, and supply chain management.[2]

L. William Seidman Center

Beginning in the spring of 2011, the University broke ground on the $40 million L. William Seidman Center, named after one of the principal founders of GVSU, Bill Seidman. The center will house the Seidman College of Business in its entirety along with all of its outreach programs. The building will be four stories tall, consist of 110,000 square feet, and will be located on the GVSU Pew campus in downtown Grand Rapids. $25 million of the building is being funded with private donations, with the principal donor for the center being Richard DeVos, as well as other significant donors: Donald Rumsfeld and Henry Kissinger.[7][8]

Research centers

Seidman College of Business at Grand Valley State University hosts several research and outreach centers that contribute to its mission of fostering business innovation and education. These centers engage in applied research, consultation, and collaborations with the business community, focusing on areas like economic development, entrepreneurship, and supply chain management. Some notable research and outreach centers include:

  1. Family Owned Business Institute (FOBI): Focuses on the unique challenges of family-owned businesses, providing research, support, and educational programs.
  2. Van Andel Global Trade Center: Helps businesses expand internationally by offering training, consulting, and resources related to global commerce.
  3. Seidman ERP Program: Provides hands-on learning in enterprise resource planning systems, in partnership with industry leaders like SAP, to support business students.

These centers not only offer valuable resources for the business community but also give students practical experience through internships, consulting projects, and networking opportunities.[9]

Alumni

Seidman alumni have made significant contributions across various industries. The college maintains an active alumni network, which supports current students through mentoring, networking events, and career opportunities. Some notable alumni include:

  • Eunice Lopez-Martin, Senior Operations Manager at Steelcase, a global leader in furniture and architecture solutions.
  • Caleb Pols, a relationship manager at TriCoast Advisors, who continues to contribute to the Grand Rapids business community​

These alumni stay connected with the college through participation in business organizations and involvement in Seidman events, further strengthening the bond between education and the business world.[10]

See also

References

  1. ^ "The Legacy of Seidman - Business". Grand Valley State University. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
  2. ^ a b "Home - Seidman College of Business". Grand Valley State University. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  3. ^ "Grand Valley State University: Part-Time MBA Profile". Business Week. Archived from the original on November 6, 2007. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  4. ^ "The Washington Campus - Public Policy Education for Executives". The Washington Campus. Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
  5. ^ "Seidman College History". Grand Valley State University. Archived from the original on 12 December 2012. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
  6. ^ "Grand Valley State University: US News Rankings". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
  7. ^ "GVSU leaders, Rich DeVos gather for Seidman College of Business groundbreaking". The Grand Rapids Press. Retrieved 16 June 2011.[permanent dead link]
  8. ^ "Ground Breaking Scheduled for L. William Seidman Center". GVNow. Retrieved 16 June 2011.
  9. ^ Thoenes, Benjamin (2018-04-01). "The Impact of the Seidman College of Business Outreach Centers on the Grand Rapids Business Community". Honors Projects.
  10. ^ "Seidman College of Business - Grand Valley State University". www.gvsu.edu. Retrieved 2024-09-10.
  • Seidman College of Business Website

42°57′41.9″N 85°40′45.0″W / 42.961639°N 85.679167°W / 42.961639; -85.679167