Dr. Elmer Shellenberger, Chair of Business Department from 1960-1989, views the veterans memorial sculpture in the mall (Sculpture by SNU alum Scott Stearman).

The birth of the business program dates to 1944 when a degree in Business Education was added to the offerings of then Bethany Peniel College. The Department of Business was first headed by Dr. Donald Danskin. The first degree recipient was Marjorie Dickerson Shellenberger in 1947. During the move through the 1950’s the degrees of business administration and accounting were added to the curriculum. Also in 1956 the institution name changed to Bethany Nazarene College and accreditation was earned from the North Central Accreditation Association*. In 1960, Dr. Elmer Shellenberger became the fourth department chair, and the next three decades would see the explosive growth of business to the largest segment of all campus majors. Under Shellenberger, degrees were added in marketing, management, aviation-business and the Master of Science in management. In 1987 this institution became Southern Nazarene University and in 1989 the Department of Business became the School of Business. The fifth leader in the forty-five year history of the business program took the helm, Dr. Larry Mills. Added to the curriculum during the 90’s was the finance degree and the masters of business administration degree, as well as, co-curricular beginnings of the Student Board of Directors, Chat With the Executive, mock interviews, the Ultimate Challenge and service orientation (i.e. Angel Tree/Angel Care). The School of Business remains the largest major chosen in the university and eyes the future with a continued quest for the finest of professional business education while discerning the Christian perspective.

School of Business Leadership History

Business Faculty – 1944 to Present