From Industrial Administration to the Intelligent Future
A Gift Sparks a New Era
In 2004, David Tepper, a 1982 MBA alumnus, made a transformational commitment of $55 million to rename the business school the David A. Tepper School of Business. It was, at the time, the largest gift in Carnegie Mellon’s history. A decade later, Tepper provided a $67 million challenge gift matching contributions from alumni and friends. The David A. Tepper Quadrangle opened in 2018 as an innovation hub and university gateway. It established the Tepper School’s leadership at the intersection of business, technology, and analytics.
This state-of-the-art facility not only serves the Tepper School but also fosters collaboration across Carnegie Mellon's other colleges, schools, and entrepreneurship programs. From innovative classrooms to collaborative spaces, the modern hub reflects the school's determination in creating a dynamic learning environment, supporting the school’s mission to prepare the next generation of business leaders.
Shaping the Intelligent Future
Today, the Tepper School continues its vision for The Intelligent Future. This vision encompasses a commitment to harnessing the power of data, technology, and interdisciplinary collaboration to address complex business challenges, yet at its core is a focus on human intelligence. As the world becomes increasingly dominated by artificial intelligence, a human-centered approach to business education is more critical than ever.
Courses like Machine Learning for Business Analytics and Artificial Intelligence in Strategic Decision-Making reflect the school’s emphasis on preparing students to lead in a world driven by technology. However, courses such as AI and Ethics and Business Leadership Endeavor empower students to tap into their emotional intelligence to grow their empathetic, ethical, and equitable leadership skills. Skills in both areas are necessary in shaping The Intelligent Future.
Celebrating the Milestone and Beyond
The Tepper School’s 75th anniversary stands as a testament to the power of interdisciplinary collaboration and a forward-thinking approach to business education. With nearly 21,000 alumni around the world, the school’s graduates are leaders in their fields, making significant contributions to the global business landscape. From CEOs of Fortune 500 companies to entrepreneurs, they represent the impact of a Tepper School education.
“We are excited to bring our community together to celebrate this milestone,” says Dean Bajeux-Besnainou. “It's a chance to honor our past, celebrate our present, and look forward to the future. Our alumni are a vital part of our story, and we are grateful for their ongoing support and engagement.”
Looking to the future, the Tepper School remains dedicated to leading the way in business education, preparing students and future generations of business leaders to navigate and create The Intelligent Future. The legacy of the Tepper School lives on, and its future is bright.
As the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University kicks off its 75th anniversary celebrations, the milestone offers a moment to reflect on the school’s transformation impact as a beacon of innovation and technology in business education. The school was founded in 1949 and the anniversary commemorates a journey marked by influential leaders, significant research, and an unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of management education.
The Birth of Management Science
Economist George Leland Bach, the school’s first dean, sought to revolutionize management education overnight. Management science emerged as a disruptive force, challenging the established norms and rewriting the rules. The early days were characterized by courses in industrial management, economic theory, and accounting principles, with students relying on slide rules and ledgers to master the fundamentals of business. This analytical and empirical approach to management set Carnegie Mellon’s program apart from traditional business schools and laid the foundation for the legacy of the Tepper School.
The school’s approach to what became known as management science was groundbreaking. It applied scientific methods to business problems in a way that had never been done before. Instead of relying solely on intuition or tradition, the faculty emphasized the use of data and statistics to guide business decisions, creating mathematical models to predict outcomes and optimize processes. They integrated knowledge from economics, psychology, and engineering, approaching business challenges from multiple angles.
“Our approach pioneered a powerful model for making an impact,” Isabelle Bajeux-Besnainou, dean of the Tepper School of Business, said. “Whether it's called management science or evidence-based management, nearly every business school today teaches the Carnegie Mellon approach to problem solving. This legacy of transformation exemplifies our enduring commitment to excellence.”
Additionally, faculty members were trailblazers in using computer technology for business analysis, enabling more complex calculations and simulations. This data-driven, interdisciplinary, and technology-focused approach set a new standard for business education and practice.
"Our founders' emphasis on analytical decision-making and interdisciplinary integration was revolutionary at the time,” said Robert M. Dammon, who served as the ninth dean of the Tepper School from 2011 to 2020. “The focus on rigorous research and quantitative methods established a new standard for business education and has continued to shape our curriculum and teaching methods.”
Trailblazing Nobel Laureates
The Tepper School’s history includes generations of researchers, professors, and alumni who have transformed how industry leaders think and do business. This legacy is highlighted by the accomplishments of nine Nobel laureates, whose research in areas such as game theory, decision-making, and corporate finance has had a profound impact on academic thought, corporate behavior, and governmental policy.
The Tepper School’s Nobel Laureates:
Lars Peter Hansen (2013)
Dale T. Mortensen (2010)
Oliver E. Williamson (2009)
Edward C. Prescott (2004)
Finn E. Kydland (2004)
Robert E. Lucas Jr. (1995)
Merton H. Miller (1990)
Franco Modigliani (1985)
Herbert A. Simon (1978)
The Management Game
Alfred Kuehn, who earned his master's in industrial administration in 1954, was a pioneer in applying analytical methods to consumer behavior and marketing. In 1963, he founded Management Science Associates (MSA), a leading data and market analysis firm, after years as a Tepper School faculty member. Kuehn developed a successful detergent market model for Lever Brothers, which became the foundation for the school's unique "Management Game."
This applied strategic management and general management exercise is still an integral part of the Tepper School’s curriculum today, and thousands of students have participated in it over the decades.
Honoring John Sengenberger: A Legacy of Alumni Connection at Tepper School
John Sengenberger has epitomized the Tepper School of Business' commitment to its alumni for more than two decades. This September, however, the executive director of Alumni Relations will retire after 23 years with the school.
Sengenberger arrived at the Tepper School in 2001 as its inaugural director of alumni relations, then part of the Career Center under associate dean Jen Eisel. During his tenure, he implemented numerous pivotal programs, events, and organizations, including Tepper Reunion Weekend, Summer Welcome Receptions, Tepper Student Treks, the Webinar program, and the Tepper School Alumni Board. His efforts to connect with alumni globally have led him to attend more than 1,000 events.
Like many, Sengenberger’s path to his current role was unconventional. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Education, Social Studies, and Environmental Sciences from the University of Albany in 1978. Initially, he began his career as a public high school social studies teacher in upstate New York, where he also coached football and led a youth ministry program, teaching at his alma mater.
John Sengenberger, Executive Director, Alumni Relations
John Sengenberger, Executive Director, Alumni Relations
John Sengenberger, Speaking to the Alumni Board, 2019
John Sengenberger, Speaking to the Alumni Board, 2019
John at Alumni Reunion in 2019.
John at Alumni Reunion in 2019.
John with his family in 2021.
John with his family in 2021.
John with colleagues Janice French and Laken Eddy in 2024.
John with colleagues Janice French and Laken Eddy in 2024.
John speaking at the 2024 Alumni Awards ceremony.
John speaking at the 2024 Alumni Awards ceremony.
After completing his master’s degree at Franciscan University of Steubenville in 1982, Sengenberger played active roles in several non-profits before transitioning to higher education. His experience included organizing large conferences and travel programs before briefly working at an internet start-up prior to joining the Tepper School.
In his early years at the Tepper School, Sengenberger laid the groundwork for the school’s alumni network, enhancing engagement across various career stages. He oversaw the launch of the first online alumni directory, the establishment of regional chapters in key cities, and the introduction of alumni receptions featuring faculty speakers and panels. He pioneered student career treks and summer welcome receptions held nationwide and internationally. In 2008, he spearheaded the formation of the Tepper Alumni Board, comprising 24 dedicated volunteers, and in 2013, he initiated the annual Tepper Alumni Awards.
Sengenberger cherishes the opportunities he’s had, including traveling globally with esteemed deans and faculty members like Lester Lave, Allan Meltzer, Marvin Goodfriend, and Tom Kerr. He witnessed milestones such as the naming of the Tepper School, the inauguration of the Tepper Quad, and the celebration of its 75th Anniversary. He also valued the chance to connect with exceptional alumni and collaborate with outstanding colleagues.
“I have too many fond memories to count,” he reflected.
However, his greatest satisfaction has always come from seeing alumni enthusiastically connect personally and professionally.
In 2006, his passionate efforts in alumni engagement earned him an Andy Award, named for Andrew Carnegie and Andrew Mellon, recognizing teamwork and dedication at Carnegie Mellon University. A longtime leader at the Association for Business School Alumni Professionals (ABSAP), he served as Board President and received the organization’s Outstanding Service Award in 2015.
To honor John’s tenure, the Tepper School, alongside current and former Alumni Board members, is establishing the John Sengenberger Alumni Engagement Endowed Fund to recognize his exceptional contributions. To contribute, visit tepper.cmu.edu/honorJohn.
For more information on the fund, please contact Dawn DiBartolo at dawnd@cmu.edu.