History
A legacy of excellence in business education and the establishment of the H-E-B School of Business and Administration
Early Years
Since its founding in 1881, the University of the Incarnate Word, then Incarnate Word College (IWC), has served as the premier, faith-based institution in San Antonio. In 1910, IWC released an official advertisement of its programs consisting of three, four-year degree programs, including a Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Literature and Bachelor of Arts, which offered the college’s first business-focused courses.
The early 20th century was a time of rapid growth and programmatic expansion for the college. In the 1970s, under the leadership of university president Sr. Margaret Patrice Slattery, new programs and fields of study were added to the UIW curriculum. Dr. Peter D. O’Connor, who served as the academic dean in 1976, introduced 12 new undergraduate programs. Out of these new programs came the official unveiling of the Bachelor of Business Administration.
That expansion also introduced six new graduate programs, including the Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree. Graduate courses in sport management and telecommunications would soon follow. With the development of new courses in Business Administration, such as computer information systems, the institution began to skyrocket toward an advanced-level professional preparation school in the United States. These were the first two degrees offered from the newly minted Department of Business Administration.
Growth and Establishment of the H-E-B School of Business and Administration
The 1980s saw a rise in the banking industry, which the college responded to with a new concentration in banking for the Bachelor of Business Administration degree. Focused on serving the community, the School of Business launched VITA, or Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, a program which to this day offers tax preparation help for low-income people. During this era, the Department of Business Administration grew into the School of Business.
In 2003, what was then known as the School of Business and Applied Arts and Sciences became the H-E-B School of Business and Administration, named for the largest retailer in Texas, H-E-B. As the school grew, so did its scope and new programs were soon added. The Center for Medical Tourism Research was founded in 2009, the world’s first center devoted to the growing medical tourism industry.
Recent Advancements
HEBSBA has been an early adopter of business-related technologies and applications. In 2010, it launched San Antonio’s first iPad pilot program for students in the international business graduate program. In 2013, the school began work on a new finance lab, which opened in 2015. Future investors were invited to test their mettle in 2016 for the launch of the Student Managed Fund. Each fall, beginning in 2018, the entrepreneurial spirit at UIW is cultivated through the Startup Challenge, which offers $10,000 in funding through a partnership with HOLT Ventures.
HEBSBA Today
Today, business students at UIW enjoy a vibrant student community and exciting academic pursuits. HEBSBA is home to many student organizations, state-of-the-art facilities, opportunities to explore investing and entrepreneurship, and learn from award-winning faculty and students. It’s where students discover their talents, grow ethically and academically, and find their future careers.