08-24-2026
As Purdue welcomes students, faculty, staff and alumni to the new academic year, I am energized by the tremendous momentum across the Mitch Daniels School of Business. We have articulated an ambitious vision for the school. Today, that vision is taking shape. We are less than a year away from the opening of our new building, expanding the Daniels School's footprint on campus. We've made meaningful investments in our students, faculty, and partnerships. We've grown our Indianapolis presence and hired top faculty to continuously broaden our intellectual leadership.
We know that some of the most important lessons students learn are not found in a textbook. They are discovered through experiences that challenge perspectives, develop confidence and prepare students to lead.
Each year we strive for even more impactful transformational opportunities. This year, we are welcoming our largest undergraduate class in school history, forecast at 4,500 students, while continuing to grow our master’s programs across residential and online formats.
We are committed to ensuring that every student participates in experiences that shape how they lead, think and contribute: leadership development, mentoring, experiential learning, global opportunities, corporate projects, competitions and student-engagement activities. We strive to cultivate graduates who understand that businesses ought to create value in society.
The best business schools are known not only for what they teach, but for the ideas they create. Through Purdue’s Moveable Dream Hire initiative, we have attracted world-class scholars whose research influences business, public policy, markets, technology and society.
Among these faculty members are:
These top researchers and thought leaders are helping us expand the frontier of knowledge while bringing extraordinary expertise into our classrooms.
The Daniels School continues to lead at the intersection of STEM and business — a position that is even more critical because every company today is a technology company. Our responsibility is to prepare students who can translate technical innovation into business impact. This year, we are widening our impact in Indianapolis with a second cohort of IBE students and exploring additional interdisciplinary offerings for both the West Lafayette and Indianapolis locations.
We believe business is a noble pursuit capable of solving real problems, expanding opportunity and improving lives.
This fall, we will host the second annual Cornerstone for Business conference. The Spirit of 1776: Advancing Opportunity, Innovation, and Free Markets will bring together students, faculty, alumni, business leaders, industry thought leaders and policymakers to examine the political, philosophical and economic foundations that continue to shape business' key drivers: free enterprise, market-driven solutions and principled leadership.
Industry and academic leaders who gather for the conference will experience and contribute to thoughtful discussion about prosperity, innovation and societal progress.
Industry partnerships remain central to how we educate students and advance innovation academically and with our partners. Our relationship with Anheuser-Busch, in collaboration with Purdue Engineering, illustrates this work. The partnership earned recognition for:
Great partnerships are built when universities and businesses learn from one another. Our goal is not simply to engage industry, but to become a trusted partner in solving tomorrow’s challenges.
From executive education and experiential learning to talent development and applied research, we will continue to deepen partnerships that create value for students and industry.
As we begin the year, I am grateful for the dedication of everyone who makes the Daniels School distinctive. Together, we are preparing leaders who will make a meaningful impact on the world.
James “Jim” Bullard is the Dr. Samuel R. Allen Dean of the Mitch Daniels School of Business, a Distinguished Professor of Service and Professor of Economics, and Special Advisor to the President.
