About the Breech School of Business Administration

Mission & Objectives of the Breech School of Business Administration

Mission

Developing ethical leaders to thrive in a diverse and dynamic business environment

Learning Goals

Ethics. Our graduates will recognize the ethical aspects of business situations, and develop their understanding of how to respond ethically and to promote ethical business practices.
Diverse Perspectives. Our graduates will exhibit intercultural knowledge and an understanding of diverse perspectives.
Communication. Our graduates will clearly and effectively present their ideas in both written and oral communication.
Analytical Skills and Business Judgment. Our graduates will analyze business problems using appropriate theories and techniques, and use sound business judgment.
Professionalism. Our graduates will understand the importance of professionalism in business practice and will conduct themselves as business professionals.

Assurance of Learning & Assessment

The Breech School has an established protocol for its assessment of student learning goals for the BBA program which captures our focus on continuous improvement. The annual process is designed to ensure we are meeting all university, school and accreditation requirements. At the same time we engage the Breech faculty in a continuing review of the learning outcomes expected in our programs, a review of the courses and curriculum supporting each program, and finally a review of achieved results. Such a process sustains our commitment to assessment and assurance of learning.

The specific program learning goals and objectives were developed by the Breech faculty consistent with the Breech School Mission: “Preparing ethical leaders for the global business community.” For the BBA program, the learning goals include Ethics, Global Perspectives, Communication, Analytical Skills and Business Judgment, and Professionalism.

Assessment activities are coordinated by the Breech Assurance of Learning & Assessment (AOL&A) Committee. The AOL&A committee is chaired by a Breech faculty and supported by five additional Breech faculty members and the Breech director. The AOL&A committee is responsible for the continuous review of program learning goals, tools, measuring rubrics and data collection.

History

The Breech School of Business Administration and Economics, established in May of 1957, and the Breech building which houses the Breech School were made possible through the financial commitment of one of Drury’s alumni, Ernest R. Breech. The Breech School’s curriculum, designed to provide a commitment to business education grounded in Drury’s liberal arts tradition, was seen as a new model for professional schools.

Through the years, the Breech School has continued to maintain its foundation in a liberal arts, while strengthening its commitment to excellence in business education. The School holds Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business accreditation (AACSB). This accreditation, achieved by fewer than 5% of business schools worldwide, demonstrates the high quality of the Breech School’s programs.

The strength of the Breech school has always been the dedication of faculty and staff to student education. The history of the Breech School is revealed through the memories of alums as they recount stories about the faculty members who influenced their lives. Names on that faculty roll call include Wilbur Bothwell, Jerry Poe, Charles Mercer, Curt Strube, Paul Rogers, Claudia Cox, and many others.

About Ernest R. Breech

Ernest R. Breech (1897-1978), a native of Lebanon, Missouri, is remembered best today for his years as head of Ford Motor Company and Trans World Airlines, but these positions were only two of the many facets of his long and successful career.

Mr. Breech attended Drury College in Springfield, Missouri, from 1915 to 1917. At the end of 1917 academic year he moved to Chicago and took a position as an accountant with Fairbanks-Morse and Company. In 1921, he passed the C.P.A. examination at the University of Illinois with the highest grade, an event he referred throughout his life as giving him the greatest satisfaction of his business career.

Soon afterward, Breech joined Yellow Cab Company, which merged with General Motors Truck and Coach in 1925. He was general assistant treasurer of General Motors from 1929-1933. From there he became president of North America Aviation from 1933-1935, and was later named president of Bendix Aviation.

In 1946, Mr. Breech became executive vice-president of Ford Motor Company, and from 1955-1960, he was chairman of the board and alternate chief executive officer. After one year of leisure, in 1961 he took over the ailing Trans World Airlines and rebuilt it into a highly profitable organization.

Today, Ernest Breech is regarded as a model corporate manager. The School of Business Administration at Drury University is named in his Honor.