The inaugural class of ‘71 at Vanderbilt Business was doing things a little bit different

It was the summer of 1965, and the Vanderbilt University Board of Trustees was enjoying a retreat in Hot Springs, Virginia. A small group within the board had been lobbying for a graduate business school since 1958 — in fact, the idea was floated as far back as 1881 — but the plan had stalled. Half-jokingly, with drinks flowing, the trustees suggested launching the business school themselves, with each of them serving as volunteer faculty.