The Trulaske College of Business will kick off its 100th birthday celebrations with a gala Oct. 25, the Friday of Homecoming Weekend.
The business school technically turns 100 in 2014, but the celebration will start a little early. School spokeswoman Ashley Burden said the plan is to celebrate Homecoming 2013 to Homecoming 2014.
The Davenport Banquet on Oct. 25 will mark the beginning of a year-long centennial celebration. Members of the business school will also march in the annual parade with a centennial-themed float.
While Homecoming kicks off the celebration, the real events will start later and continue throughout the year. The events are not finalized yet but are being planned by the various student organizations within the school. The organizations can submit their ideas for funding, and the winning ideas will be announced in November.
Andrea Shaw, president of Alpha Kappa Psi, a business fraternity participating in centennial celebration, had the idea of having a time capsule to commemorate the milestone. Shaw would put a picture in it.
“In the business school, we have these couches in the atrium,” she said. “I would take a photo my Alpha Kappa Psi friends on the couch. Showing people of the future because of the atrium, a lot of great things happened.”
The business school will also graduate its 100th class May 2014, and Shaw said she is honored to be a part of it.
The school was founded in 1914. Through the years, many have graduated from the College of Business and gone on to make become CEOs and chief financial officers.
“So many great people, CEOs and founders, have graduated from this school,” Shaw said. “I hope to follow in their footsteps.”
Two notable alumni have forever attached their name to the business school while another made his mark in St. Louis.
**Rodger Riney**
Rodger Riney earned his master’s from the business school in 1969. Then in 1980, he founded Scottrade Securities in order to offer investors a less expensive option for trading.
Riney later launched scottrade.com, which ultimately led to the company being renamed Scottrade, Inc.
While no building or program bears his name at MU, the St. Louis Blues play in Scottrade Center, named after Riney’s company.
**Robert J. Trulaske Jr.**
Robert Trulaske graduated from the business school in 1940 and went to work for Procter & Gamble.
He later started his own company, True Manufacturing. In 2007, the business school changed its name to the Trulaske College of Business.
Trulaske died in 2004, but Geraldine Trulaske, his wife, continued to make donations on his behalf. Geraldine died in 2010.
**Harry Cornell Jr.**
Harry Cornell Jr. graduated from the business school in 1950 and went on to become CEO of Leggett & Platt, a company his grandfather founded that pioneered the use of coiled bedsprings. Cornell’s leadership of the company helped it become a leader in the industry.
Cornell continued to contribute to the school and provided funds for Cornell Hall. In 2006, he gave the business school another monetary gift to enhance the building and establish the Cornell Leadership Program.
The Cornell Leadership Program is comprised of the top 30 or so students, and it is highly selective. Students can be invited to apply to the program after getting accepted into the university.
