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News Release

October 17, 2006

College of Management and Economics Officially Opens

The University of Guelph is hosting the official opening of the College of Management and Economics (CME) Oct. 25 at 4:30 p.m. in Peter Clark Hall. The event is free and open to the U of G community and members of the public.

The event will include an introduction of CME’s advisory board, displays on each of the college’s programs, entertainment and refreshments.

“The University has already established itself as a leader in management and business-related programs,” said U of G president Alastair Summerlee, who will give the opening remarks at the event. “With the creation of the College of Management and Economics, our students are benefiting even more from expanded course offerings and continued innovation in teaching, research and outreach.”

CME includes the Department of Economics, the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, the Department of Marketing and Consumer Studies and the new Department of Business. It is also home to the Centre for Studies in Leadership.

“The creation of a new academic college is big news at Guelph, and we believe this business school is long overdue,” said CME dean Chris McKenna, who will make funding announcements and share the college’s goals at the event. “The creation of a new college opens up tremendous opportunities to expand and deepen our understanding of business and its role in society.”

Student interest in U of G's management and business-related programs has risen dramatically over the last few years, making U of G’s bachelor of commerce program one of the largest business programs in the country. B. Comm. enrolment has increased by 88 per cent in the past several years and interest in economics specializations in the bachelor of arts program continues to grow.

Graduate enrolment has also increased substantially, specifically in U of G’s MA (Leadership) and MBA programs in food and agribusiness and hospitality and tourism management. New executive management and leadership programs are now among the largest graduate programs on campus.

Alumni from CME undergraduate and graduate programs are employed in senior management positions in a variety of sectors, including banking and finance, industry, government and hostelry, and as academic faculty on campuses worldwide.

With the addition of CME, U of G now has seven colleges. The others are the College of Arts, the College of Biological Science, the College of Physical and Engineering Science, the College of Social and Applied Human Sciences, the Ontario Agricultural College and the Ontario Veterinary College.

To RSVP, visit www.alumni.uoguelph.ca/news.htm. For more information about CME, see www.cme.uoguelph.ca.