One year shy of the century mark, Olin Business School celebrates its 99th anniversary today. Founded March 30, 1917 as the School of Commerce and Finance, Washington University’s leadership recognized the need to educate entrepreneurs, future industry and finance leaders as cities and interstate commerce boomed in the early 20th century.

William F. Gephart, the first dean of the School of Commerce and Finance was a professor of economics. Determined to establish a business school at Washington University, Gephart personally solicited donations from 30 St. Louis businesses to help found the school. Visit the timeline on the first floor of Knight Hall, or click here to see the school’s history on the Building Olin website.

Main image: Robert S. Brookings helps lay the corner stone for Duncker Hall, 1923. WashU Archives.

Top: first graduating class of the School of Commerce and Finance; lower left, William Gephardt; lower right, Duncker Hall, the first building built expressly for the business school in 1923.