About Gies College of Business
Shaping purposeful leaders
Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a leading business school offering innovative programs in accountancy, business administration, and finance at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
With world-class faculty, engaging coursework, experiential learning opportunities, and a strong focus on purpose, learners gain the experiences they need to be purposeful leaders in whatever path they take. We call it “Business on Purpose.”
“Business on Purpose” is the mindset that guides our actions and decisions, and it comes down to two major things – intention and impact. Faculty and staff design everything with intention to teach learners how to make an impact, helping them connect the dots from their passions and interests to their purpose and the impact they can make now – and long after they graduate.
Purpose, Commitments, Beliefs
Our Purpose is our reason for existing. Our Commitments are the core principles that drive how we approach business education. And our Beliefs support our Commitments and reflect how we work together to live out our Purpose. Together, they guide our purposeful culture, and we strive to incorporate them in everything we offer.
Purpose
Gies Business shapes purposeful leaders through life-changing access to education, research, and innovation.
Commitments
Expand ACCESS to world-class business education, transforming lives in an inclusive culture where all are seen, heard, and valued.
Foster EXCELLENCE in scholarship and teaching that provides value for business and society and delivers educational opportunities at all stages in the learner journey.
Fuel INNOVATION through a diverse, engaged community that’s inspired to discover new ways to do business and new ways to teach business.
INCLUSION permeates all of our commitments and everything we do. Inclusion is essential for our scholars, learners, teachers, and leaders to thrive.
Facilitate meaningful lifelong ENGAGEMENT with the Gies Business community in our pursuit of a shared purpose.
Beliefs
Common Humanity: We believe in honoring every person with dignity and respect and creating space for authenticity and opportunity.
Inclusive Belonging: We believe in building meaningful connections with empathy and fostering a community where all feel seen, heard, and valued.
Purposeful Innovation: We believe in celebrating curiosity, challenging assumptions, and pushing boundaries to lead and model what’s next.
Perpetual Learning: We believe learning and scholarship are ongoing pursuits that enrich individuals, organizations, and our community.
Meaningful Work: We believe in pursuing purpose and fulfillment to make work matter – for the betterment of ourselves and others.
Naming our College
In October 2017, Larry and Beth Gies invested an unprecedented $150 million in the College, launching Gies College of Business into a new era.
The generous donation did more than give the College a new name and stronger identity – it strengthened the culture, expanded life-changing access, made new initiatives possible, and inspired others to give.
Larry Gies (ACCY ’88) is the founder, president, and CEO of Madison Industries, a privately held international manufacturing firm based in Chicago. Madison builds entrepreneurially driven, branded market leaders that are dedicated to making the world safer, healthier, and more productive through innovations in a wide range of industries, including filtration, medical, process improvement, energy, and safety.
College timeline
- 1867: The university is established as Illinois Industrial University and includes the Department of Trade and Commerce.
- 1868: The Department of Trade and Commerce opens.
- 1870: The department is renamed the School of Commerce.
- 1880: The School of Commerce closes.
- 1885: Illinois Industrial University becomes the University of Illinois.
Above: The Old University Building, nicknamed the “Elephant,” was the original home of Illinois Industrial University.
Above: A lecture hall inside the newly dedicated Commerce Building in 1913.
- 1900: The university offers business administration courses through the Economics Department, established five years earlier.
- 1902: The university brings back an organized business program called “The Courses of Training for Business.”
- 1915: The university forms a separate business college named the College of Commerce and Business Administration.
- 1953: The Department of Accountancy begins.
- 1957: The Department of Finance begins.
- 1964: Commerce West opens (later named Wohlers Hall).
- 1968: The Department of Business Administration begins.
- 2000: Commerce West is renamed Wohlers Hall in honor of a generous gift from Albert H. and Jane L. Wohlers.
- 2003: The College of Commerce and Business Administration becomes the College of Business.
- 2008: The Business Instructional Facility (BIF) opens.
- 2017: Larry and Beth Gies invest $150 million in the College, now named Gies College of Business.
- 2018: After a complete renovation, the former Surveying Building takes on a new life as the Richard D. and Anne Marie Irwin Doctoral Study Hall.
- 2025: Steven S. Wymer Hall opens.
Above: A rendering of Steven S. Wymer Hall by LMN Architects.
Ready to shape your future in business?
Discover the programs, resources, and community that will empower you to achieve your goals. Take the next step and explore our degree options or schedule a campus visit today.