Inspired by our past. Focused on your future.
As the eighth-oldest business college in the country, the Daniels College of Business has helped graduates achieve their career aspirations for more than a century. We boast an active network of more than 40,000 alumni worldwide, thanks to our long and successful history.
Milestones
1881-1989
1881 – University of Denver Business Department Admits First Students
Four women were admitted to the University of Denver Business Department, which included a six-month class in bookkeeping.
1908 – College of Business Formed at DU
Daniels College of Business, originally called the School of Commerce, Accounts, and Finance, was established by the University of Denver. Daniels was among the first business colleges in the U.S.—a select group that includes Wharton, Chicago, Berkeley, Dartmouth, Northwestern, Pittsburgh and Harvard.
1923 – Accredited by AACSB International
Daniels has been continuously accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB) since 1923.
1966 – Relocation to DU Campus
After years of offering classes in various locations in downtown Denver, the College moved to the University of Denver’s primary campus.
1989 – Ethics Incorporated Into Core Curriculum
Bill Daniels, known as the “father of cable television,” presented the University of Denver with a challenge grant to update its graduate business curriculum. The result was a redesigned program that combines traditional business subjects with a new emphasis on ethics and leadership. Our College became one of the first business schools to include ethics and professionalism in its core curriculum.
1994-2008
1994 – Name Changed to the Daniels College of Business
The faculty unanimously voted to change the college’s name to the Daniels College of Business in recognition of Bill Daniels’ numerous contributions.
1999 – Daniels College of Business Building Opens
The new Daniels College of Business building was recognized as a model of technology-enabled and collaborative learning. Built completely with private funds, Bill Daniels donated $11 million toward its construction.
2000 – Bill Daniels’ Legacy Continues
Before his death in March 2000, Bill Daniels established the Daniels Fund, Colorado’s largest philanthropic foundation. In addition to supporting projects that aid the homeless, elderly and underprivileged students, the fund endows the Daniels Chair in Business Ethics.
2005 – Joy Burns Center Opens
In late 2005, the $18-million building that houses the Fritz Knoebel School of Hospitality Management opened its doors. The 46,000-square-foot, three-story structure—named in 2011 for longtime DU Trustee Joy Burns—is a “living laboratory.” It has a fully equipped commercial kitchen, a sumptuous 160-person dining area built in the style of a Tuscan wine cellar, and offices, classrooms and seminar areas.
2008 – Daniels Celebrates 100 Years of Excellence
Daniels kicked off a year-long celebration of its century of business excellence.
2008 – Daniels Takes Possession of Margery Reed Hall
Where Daniels Undergraduate Programs made their home with a student lounge and advising.
2009-2014
2009 – Daniels Granted Membership in Principles for Responsible Management Education
The PRME are inspired by internationally accepted values such as the principles of the United Nations Global Compact. They seek to establish a process of continuous improvement among institutions of management education in order to develop a new generation of business leaders capable of managing the complex challenges faced by business and society in the 21st century.
2012-2014 – Margery Reed Hall Renovation and Re-opening
Margery Reed Hall was completely renovated, with a renovated theater for speaker series, student space, offices and upgraded classrooms, and welcomed back the Undergraduate Programs.
2014 – The University of Denver Celebrates 150 Years
Founded in 1864, the University of Denver is the oldest private university in the Rocky Mountain region.
2015-Present
2017 – Students engaging in consumer research
The Consumer Insights and Business Innovation Center opens, offering resources for faculty and students to perform research and analysis of consumer behavior for community partners.
2018 – New programs and a new student space
Daniels redesigns the Graduate Studio to serve as a home away from home for all graduate students where they can work, collaborate and relax.
Daniels launches the Executive PhD program, making DU only the third university in the nation to offer such a program through an executive format.
Daniels launches its new Online MBA.
2022 – Collaborative learning
The Burns School of Real Estate and Construction Management hosts the grand opening of the Crean Collaboratory.
The University of Denver creates the new cross-college Leadership in the Outdoor Recreation Industry program.
2024 – A new era of leadership
Naomi Boyd named dean of the Daniels College of Business.