Nearly 300 students, faculty, alumni and corporate representatives were on hand to hear about future plans for the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business at its April 9 Second Century Dinner.

Dr. Dean McFarlin, dean of the business school, addressed the crowd and shared how the school is poised for innovation in its second century of existence. “Today, business education is less about acquiring knowledge and more about giving students opportunities to use information to solve real problems,” McFarlin said. “So we are pivoting to a ‘cornerstone to capstone’ approach that instills practical wisdom.”

Besides relying on excellent faculty and outstanding programs to enhance the business education experience, McFarlin will seek external feedback from the new Business Advisory Council on schoolwide issues. A second new council, the Investment Center Advisory Council, will help to develop and promote the work of the technology-rich Investment Center and Duquesne’s finance program.

McFarlin also discussed renovations of Rockwell Hall, where upgrades already have occurred on the third and fifth floors. Plans are being made to reveal some of the building’s previously hidden architectural features.

“Indeed, our mission and values serve as our compass, keeping us true to our roots while driving us forward,” McFarlin said. “Put simply, we believe that business must be a force for good in the world.”

According to McFarlin, the School of Business will also be developing additional experiential opportunities for its undergraduate students as part of these new strategic initiatives. “We want to give students transformational experiences while they are still in school—experiences where they are tackling real challenges facing organizations, both early and late in their academic careers,” McFarlin said. “Having these impactful experiences at key points is the essence of the cornerstone to capstone approach.”