2024 College Report

Freeman College of Management Report 2024
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Dean’s Advisory Board

Christine Leong Connors ’99, president and partner, EPIQ Capital Group**

Adam Coyle ’87, chief strategy officer, Worldpay**

Michael Davis ’13, founder & CEO, Homegrown; venture partner, Overline

Michael Dominguez ’91, chief investment officer and senior managing director, Providence Equity Partners*

Lauren Gilchrist ’07, executive vice president, market leader, Newmark**

David Granson ’93, P’24, managing director, Goldman Sachs*

Jim Howland ’82, P’19, managing director and operating partner, Morgan Stanley Capital Partners*

Brad Langer ’96, P’26, partner, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co; co-manager, BBHCP Private Equity (chair beginning July 1, 2024)

Keith Lockwood ’96, managing director, Global Healthcare Investment Banking Group, Jefferies & Company**

Jackie Young Perrins ’88, managing director; market manager, J.P. Morgan Private Bank**

Paul Ridder ’93, P’24, CEO, Zeus Fire & Security (chair through June 30, 2024)*

Susan Barrett Roddy ’98, partner, Perella Weinberg Partners

Dave Sharpe P’24, partner, National Professional Services Group, PwC US*

Blake Silverman ’05, president, The Silverman Group*

Todd Singleton ’88, former senior managing director, Accenture*

Chris Spahr ’13, managing director, Synthetic Product Group, Goldman Sachs**

Paul Sturman ’83, M’84, P’26, chairman & CEO of Innovations in Nutrition and Wellness; executive advisor, KKR & Co.

Robin Poliner Suskind ’94, managing director, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, a Stifel Company

Alyson Weenig Welch ’96, P’27, chief revenue officer, Neo4j (vice-chair beginning July 1, 2024)

*Service ended June 30, 2024

**Service began July 1, 2024

Data Analytics Board

Linda Wolff Avery ’81, co-founder, LiveFire AI

Brian Coleman ’02, director of supply chain data science & network optimization, GSK

Scott Feit ’92, P’20, P’23, co-owner, Prime Pensions, Inc.

Taylor Lukof ’03, founder and CEO, ABR Dynamic Funds, LLC

Jim Sarrail ’90, senior director of customer success, Moody’s Analytics

Real Estate Board

Dawn Becker ’85, executive vice president; general counsel & secretary, Federal Realty Investment Trust

Bruce Burkard ’90, managing partner, Four Corners Properties, LLC

William “Chip” Douglas ’81, P’28, managing director, Lanark Management, LLC

Brett Earnest ’03, executive vice president, Suffolk Construction

Peter Elfers ’83, P’19, vice president, Van Houten Corporate Realty LLC

Adam Frazier ’99, president & CEO, Columbia Property Trust

Lauren Gilchrist ’07, executive vice president; market leader, Newmark

Gene Gorab ’85, P’12, P’16, president & CEO, Greenfield Partners

Dave Henry ’71, P’12, co-founder, Peaceable Street Capital

Tom Howland ’91, P’23, head of real estate investment banking, Piper Sandler & Co.

Christie Wholey Kelly ’83, P’18, CFO & treasurer, Realty Income Corporation

Steven Kohn ’81, president & vice chairman, Cushman & Wakefield

Bill Krokowski ’84, principal, Requity Real Estate Group, LLC

Scott Lawlor ’86, P’27, founder & CEO, Waypoint Residential

Andy Merin ’70, executive vice chairman, Cushman & Wakefield

Michael Ritz ’01, executive vice president, Albanese Organization

Rich Robbins ’70, president, Wareham Development

Gary Scott ’86, president, Allen Tate Realtors

Blake Silverman ’05, president, The Silverman Group

Jennifer Beauchamp Tuhy ’97, CFO, Hudson Yards

Trevor Wilson ’93, managing partner & founder, Ridge Capital Investors, LLC

Student Managed Investment Fund Board

Joe Bridy ’98, senior partner, Hamlin Capital Management

Bobby Le Blanc ’88, P’18, president, Onex

Joe Quintilian ’03, co-founder, Anja Labs, LLC

Sue Cleaver Valenti ’84, P’21, former managing director, Wells Fargo Securities

Bill Vogel ’73, managing principal, Montag & Caldwell

Michelle Roehm smiling with her arms crossed with an icon of a Bucknell pennant flag
Michelle Roehm smiling with her arms crossed with an icon of a Bucknell pennant flag
Dear Bucknell community,

As the new Kenneth W. Freeman Professor & Dean of the Freeman College of Management, I am honored to have your support as we navigate the way forward together.

My goal is to foster an environment where students are equipped with essential skills, inspired to think critically, act ethically and lead with purpose. By instilling these values, we can empower our students to drive positive change. I am also passionate about promoting equity, inclusion and belonging within our college. By embracing diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences of our students, faculty and staff, we can create a vibrant learning environment where everyone feels valued and supported.

I’m grateful to share some remarkable accomplishments the Freeman College of Management achieved this past year.

In 2024, the Freeman College earned an extension of its accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, signifying the Freeman College’s commitment to student success, societal impact, thought leadership and innovation. We have refined our curriculum to include new majors and minors, allowing students more flexibility to craft custom academic paths centered on interdisciplinary, collaborative experiences.

For the third consecutive year, the Freeman College was ranked as a Top 20 Best Undergraduate Business School by Poets&Quants, a leading news website devoted to the coverage of undergraduate business education. We were also recognized as a Principles for Responsible Management Education Champion, a distinction awarded to only three U.S. colleges.

In the following pages, we detail more of our distinctive strengths, including our collaborative and inclusive community (P.4), unique opportunities for interdisciplinary learning (P.6), and the accomplishments of our expert faculty (P.10). Throughout this report, you’ll see how Freeman College students and grads are thriving in their fields.

I express my sincere gratitude for your engagement with Bucknell University and the Freeman College. Together, we have the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of our students and the world. I am excited about the journey ahead and look forward to partnering with you every step of the way.

’ray Bucknell!

Michelle Roehm
Kenneth W. Freeman Professor & Dean of the Freeman College of Management

MAJORS
Accounting
Business Analytics
Finance
Management & Organizations
Markets, Innovation & Design
MINORS
Accounting
Business Analytics
Entrepreneurship
Human Resource Management
Real Estate Management
Markets, Innovation & Design
Bucknell University’s
Freeman College of Management
is a vibrant hub of innovation and empowerment, where students are encouraged to embrace diversity, think entrepreneurially and seize opportunities.
On the following pages, you’ll see the Freeman spirit in action.

Table of Contents

article snapshot of pages 4-5: Engaging

4-5: Engaging

Creating an inclusive environment hinges on engaging diverse perspectives. Freeman College students, including Freeman Student DEI Alliance member Saniya Brown-Baptiste ’27, are actively building bridges across campus and connecting with the wider community to enhance relationships and create new opportunities.
article snapshot of pages 6-7: Enterprising

6-7: Enterprising

The Freeman College helps students cultivate an enterprising mindset, which equips students — like entrepreneur Mikey Brandt ’26 — with the tools they need to thrive in an ever-evolving world. Discover how the Freeman College fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration, shaping the next generation of leaders and creative problem-solvers.
article snapshot of pages 8-9: Empowered

8-9: Empowered

The Freeman College offers a wealth of resources and support that empower students to seize opportunities and refine their interests and career aspirations. Meet a few Freeman students, like JPMorgan Chase global finance & business management intern Lianne Garrahan ’25, who have ventured beyond the classroom to broaden their horizons.
article snapshot of pages 10-11: Experienced

10-11: Experienced

Freeman faculty are both experienced scholars and dedicated mentors who are committed to expanding their expertise while guiding students on their path to success. Professor Gulay Guzel, markets, innovation & design, not only imparts knowledge but also nurtures students’ confidence through collaborative research projects.
article snapshot of pages 12-13: Excellence

12-13: Excellence

Bucknell’s robust donor and alumni network ensures the Freeman College of Management is poised for a powerful future. Learn about our newest admitted class, the success of our last academic year and the rankings that recognize the college’s rise to even greater heights.

Driving Engagement

The key to fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment lies in engaging with a diverse array of voices. In the Freeman College of Management, students and faculty are strengthening relationships across campus and forging new pathways in Pennsylvania and beyond.

Student-centric:
Freeman Students Shape Their Own Experience

In the Freeman College of Management, a learner-focused approach means offering the kind of innovative programming that encourages students to define and craft their own paths toward success. It also means that students play a critical role in shaping the culture and community at the heart of the college.
The college’s Student Advisory Board and Freeman Student DEI Alliance are two initiatives that center student voices. The Student Advisory Board drives programming for Freeman Week, internship and educational experiences, and networking panels. The DEI Alliance strives to create an equitable and inclusive environment for underrepresented student groups.

“So much has evolved through the Student Advisory Board, whether it’s professional development experiences or peer-to-peer networking opportunities,” says Missy Gutkowski, assistant dean for experiential learning. “These student board members are providing platforms for connection and collaboration that help other students discover their goals and navigate their academic paths.”

The DEI Alliance focuses on forging strong academic bonds between students and faculty through social events and conferences, providing professional development opportunities that connect current students with alumni and future employers, and participating in college-wide fairs and celebrations to forge deep connections within the Bucknell community.

“Our mission is to create a space for students of underrepresented backgrounds to navigate the professional world, the academic world and their personal identities,” says Saniya Brown-Baptiste ’27 (left). A Posse Scholar and markets, innovation & design and critical Black studies double-major, Brown-Baptiste serves as the vice president of marketing for the DEI Alliance.

Student-centric:
Freeman Students Shape Their Own Experience

In the Freeman College of Management, a learner-focused approach means offering the kind of innovative programming that encourages students to define and craft their own paths toward success. It also means that students play a critical role in shaping the culture and community at the heart of the college.
The college’s Student Advisory Board and Freeman Student DEI Alliance are two initiatives that center student voices. The Student Advisory Board drives programming for Freeman Week, internship and educational experiences, and networking panels. The DEI Alliance strives to create an equitable and inclusive environment for underrepresented student groups.

“So much has evolved through the Student Advisory Board, whether it’s professional development experiences or peer-to-peer networking opportunities,” says Missy Gutkowski, assistant dean for experiential learning. “These student board members are providing platforms for connection and collaboration that help other students discover their goals and navigate their academic paths.”

The DEI Alliance focuses on forging strong academic bonds between students and faculty through social events and conferences, providing professional development opportunities that connect current students with alumni and future employers, and participating in college-wide fairs and celebrations to forge deep connections within the Bucknell community.

“Our mission is to create a space for students of underrepresented backgrounds to navigate the professional world, the academic world and their personal identities,” says Saniya Brown-Baptiste ’27 (left). A Posse Scholar and markets, innovation & design and critical Black studies double-major, Brown-Baptiste serves as the vice president of marketing for the DEI Alliance.

student-community collaborations

For Professor Eric Martin, management & organizations, the community is his classroom. In his capstone Management Consulting class, students engage with real clients to solve real issues that improve the lives of real people.
Civic Engagement: Students worked with the League of Women Voters of the Lewisburg Area to develop and implement strategies for increasing youth voter participation.
Strategic Planning: Over multiple semesters, students aided the reopening of the Lewisburg Community Pool by providing a needs assessment and designing a strategic business plan.
Dollars and Sense: A project with the Milton Public Library challenged students to balance an organization’s budget while continuing to provide crucial public programming for youth.
Sustainable Solutions: To help the Eagles Mere Athletic Association build a more sustainable tennis program, students developed initiatives to cut costs and more effectively organize volunteers.
Jasmine Jones sitting across from another woman at a table while they engage in conversation
Jasmine Jones ’25 merged service and business to aid a community crisis center.
Omuhle Ndhlovu and other students working on a project together
Omuhle Ndhlovu ’26 (right) advances innovative business ideas as a SBDC consultant.

Business with a Mission

In the Freeman College of Management, signature programs and initiatives like Management 101 and the Small Business Development Center’s student consultant program empower students to transform their ideas into meaningful ventures that have a lasting impact on the community.

MGMT 101 students manage their own organizations, sell their own products and lead accompanying service projects. Jasmine Jones ’25, for instance, a Bucknell Community College Scholar and management & organizations major, partnered with Transitions of PA, a nonprofit crisis center devoted to ending patterns of domestic violence and abuse.

“Service and business were our two major divisions. We weren’t just trying to design a product and raise awareness; we were trying to get them much-needed funds,” says Jones, who led her company as CEO in raising more than $7,000 for Transitions.

Student consultants with Bucknell’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) assist entrepreneurs with turning their business ideas into a reality through financial management, marketing and product design consulting.

“We work with real companies and small businesses that are trying to solve different problems in the community,” says Omuhle Ndhlovu ’26, a chemical engineering and management double-major who works as a consultant within the SBDC’s Center of Excellence for Innovation Engineering. “That’s why I like working here. It’s a space that actively promotes entrepreneurship and innovation where I see myself accomplishing my personal mission as a Bucknell community member.”

Enterprise in Action

The Freeman College of Management encourages creative and critical thinking as well as resourcefulness. Two new academic centers at Bucknell are giving Freeman students additional support and opportunities to pursue their unique interests.

Bringing Ideas to Life
Perricelli-Gegnas Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation

In the new Perricelli-Gegnas Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, students pursue complex and innovative endeavors with purpose. “The center teaches students to be thoughtful, systematic and persistent,” says William Meek, the Campbell Rutledge Jr. and Eleanor Rutledge Chair in Management & Entrepreneurship and center faculty fellow.

Mikey Brandt ’26 (right) arrived at Bucknell as CEO of his own apparel company, LEFT Clothing. An entrepreneurship course with Meek inspired the markets, innovation & design major to conceptualize a new upcycling line of his brand. In spring 2024, Brandt launched another sustainably minded venture with Brooke Barry ’26: EcoMark. The biodegradable whiteboard marker reached the final round of the Bucknell Small Business Development Center’s BizPitch competition, and was selected by popular vote to win the “Change Maker” and “Fan Favorite” prizes.

Brandt takes full advantage of the entrepreneurial resources at Bucknell. “I’m excited to watch the development of a more creative and inventive campus,” he says. “I know the center will be a key resource for my future endeavors.”

Bringing Ideas to Life
Perricelli-Gegnas Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation

In the new Perricelli-Gegnas Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, students pursue complex and innovative endeavors with purpose. “The center teaches students to be thoughtful, systematic and persistent,” says William Meek, the Campbell Rutledge Jr. and Eleanor Rutledge Chair in Management & Entrepreneurship and center faculty fellow.

Mikey Brandt ’26 (right) arrived at Bucknell as CEO of his own apparel company, LEFT Clothing. An entrepreneurship course with Meek inspired the markets, innovation & design major to conceptualize a new upcycling line of his brand. In spring 2024, Brandt launched another sustainably minded venture with Brooke Barry ’26: EcoMark. The biodegradable whiteboard marker reached the final round of the Bucknell Small Business Development Center’s BizPitch competition, and was selected by popular vote to win the “Change Maker” and “Fan Favorite” prizes.

Brandt takes full advantage of the entrepreneurial resources at Bucknell. “I’m excited to watch the development of a more creative and inventive campus,” he says. “I know the center will be a key resource for my future endeavors.”

Robyn Eversole and Leila Soleimani smiling

Faculty Expertise

Robyn Eversole (far left), the Howard I. Scott Professor of Practice in Social Entrepreneurship, and Professor Leila Soleimani, management & organizations, are two of the Freeman College’s newest faculty additions, hired specifically to elevate the teaching of entrepreneurship in the curriculum.

Eversole has already seen evidence of students’ interest in entrepreneurial ventures that have a social impact. In her role in the college’s hallmark MGMT 101 course, she guides students as they create and run companies, then use their profits to support service projects to benefit partner nonprofit organizations. “I’m really interested in how communities tackle problems,” she says. “And I’ve discovered that entrepreneurship is a very powerful tool for social change.”

Soleimani’s expertise lies in financing, gender dynamics and entrepreneurial exit. Recognizing the creative breadth of entrepreneurs, she helps students establish skills that will give them flexibility through varied pursuits throughout their career.

Improving Data Fluency
Dominguez Center for Data Science

Bucknell’s Dominguez Center for Data Science helps students acquire valuable hands-on experience while harnessing data application and theory. A new program is empowering further specialization in the discipline. “Through our data science major, students studying business analytics, computer science, statistics and mathematics can leverage data science as a liberal art and build upon their home major,” says Matt Bailey, the Christian R. Lindback Chair in Business Administration and faculty co-director at the center.

Capitalizing on Bucknell’s data science strengths and the cross-college connections he made during his first year on campus, Max Wilson ’27 (far left) spent summer 2024 researching the ranking system used by the NFL Top 100. Under the dual mentorship of Professor of Practice Joe Wilck, analytics & operations management (center), and Sam Gutekunst, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Assistant Professor of Data Science, Wilson evaluated factors that predict and determine player standings. He conducted a comparative analysis of other NFL rankings systems, examined team and player representation and determined possible predictive factors that influence player placement. Wilson, Wilck and Gutekunst shared their findings with senior NFL professionals in September.

“With two mentors, I was able to approach my research from different perspectives,” says Wilson, who intends to declare a major in business analytics. “The hands-on application of data in this project has helped me realize how much I enjoy analytics. It’s exciting to know this is just the beginning of the opportunities I will have to explore data at Bucknell.”

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light blue arrow pointing downwards

Data at Work

Across disciplines, students work with faculty to derive new insights and drive action using data.
Stanley Gai ’25, business analytics, has applied data visualization and analysis to a variety of projects, capitalizing on the skills taught in the Freeman College. Gai contributed to a cross-college project that transformed the process of Bucknell’s final exam scheduling, helped a local fashion designer determine targeted marketing strategies for her latest collection based on a data-rich geographical dashboard, and partnered with Professor Melissa Intindola, management & organizations, to examine faults of AI automation in hiring.
Linh Nguyen ’25, business analytics, is learning how to use linear programming to measure fairness in classification problems in machine learning with Mihai Banciu, the Howard I. Scott Research Professor of Business Analytics & Operations. Linear programming is a mathematical technique used to find the best outcome in a given mathematical model under particular constraints. By applying the concept to fairness metrics in machine learning, they hope to inform the development and deployment of more equitable, transparent and just machine learning systems.

Empowered to Launch

The Freeman College prides itself on preparing students to thrive in their respective fields. Whether pursuing a summer internship or embarking on their first post-graduation job, each student can pinpoint how their coursework and campus experiences bolstered their confidence and facilitated their career trajectory.

Jerimaha McClain ’26

management & organizations

McClain first visited Krispy Kreme as an incoming first-year student with the Taste, Tech & Teamwork Pre-Orientation program, then returned as a student leader with the program the following year. Through networking and persistent communication, McClain landed a sweet internship with the company in summer 2024 that allowed him to explore the field of global operations.

Nikhil Patel ’24

finance

After interning with LLR Partners during summer 2023, Patel secured a full-time investment analyst role with the company. He uses the skills he developed as a student and honed as an intern to focus on making and monitoring investments in growth-stage software companies, completing financial analyses on potential investments and building relationships.

Lianne Garrahan ’25

finance

Garrahan capitalized on mentorship in the Freeman College to find the sector of finance where she would thrive. Her summer 2024 internship in global finance & business management with JPMorgan Chase helped her gain technical skills and industry knowledge in a dynamic environment.

Keri Gilligan ’24

business analytics

Named a Poets&Quants Best & Brightest Business Major of 2024, Gilligan is taking her first career step as a business technology analyst in Deloitte’s Government & Public Services consulting practice. Her experience in the Freeman College not only gave her the technical expertise to excel, but also helped her develop strong interpersonal skills that give her a professional edge.

Abigail Kates ’24

markets, innovation & design

Kates spent summer 2023 as a business intern supporting Barclays’ partnership credit card segment, where she showcased her communication, critical thinking and leadership skills. Impressed by her performance, Barclays extended her a full-time job offer. Kates is now part of their graduate analyst rotational program, where she will rotate through three different business areas over two years.
headshot of Jerimaha McClain

Jerimaha McClain ’26

management & organizations

McClain first visited Krispy Kreme as an incoming first-year student with the Taste, Tech & Teamwork Pre-Orientation program, then returned as a student leader with the program the following year. Through networking and persistent communication, McClain landed a sweet internship with the company in summer 2024 that allowed him to explore the field of global operations.
headshot of Nikhil Patel

Nikhil Patel ’24

finance

After interning with LLR Partners during summer 2023, Patel secured a full-time investment analyst role with the company. He uses the skills he developed as a student and honed as an intern to focus on making and monitoring investments in growth-stage software companies, completing financial analyses on potential investments and building relationships.
headshot of Lianne Garrahan

Lianne Garrahan ’25

finance

Garrahan capitalized on mentorship in the Freeman College to find the sector of finance where she would thrive. Her summer 2024 internship in global finance & business management with JPMorgan Chase helped her gain technical skills and industry knowledge in a dynamic environment.
headshot of Keri Gilligan

Keri Gilligan ’24

business analytics

Named a Poets&Quants Best & Brightest Business Major of 2024, Gilligan is taking her first career step as a business technology analyst in Deloitte’s Government & Public Services consulting practice. Her experience in the Freeman College not only gave her the technical expertise to excel, but also helped her develop strong interpersonal skills that give her a professional edge.
headshot of Abigail Kates

Abigail Kates ’24

markets, innovation & design

Kates spent summer 2023 as a business intern supporting Barclays’ partnership credit card segment, where she showcased her communication, critical thinking and leadership skills. Impressed by her performance, Barclays extended her a full-time job offer. Kates is now part of their graduate analyst rotational program, where she will rotate through three different business areas over two years.

Class of 2023 Outcomes

Nine months after graduation, the Center for Career Advancement surveyed Freeman College alumni from the Class of 2023 to learn about their success.

vector line illustration of a figure holding a suitcase and walking up steps; 96%
employed, in graduate school or volunteering
vector line illustration of a suitcase; $79,338
Average Starting Salary

Starting Salary by Major

$89,656
Finance
$86,600
Business Analytics
$72,556
Managing for Sustainability
$68,500
Markets, Innovation & Design
$81,096
Accounting
$71,800
Global Management
$68,545
Management & Organizations

Top Employer Industries

23%

consulting

54%

financial services

12%

communications & marketing, entertainment & athletics, computer science & technology

Taking it Personally

Offered each spring, the Freeman College personal finance seminar encourages Bucknell students from across the University’s three colleges to learn critical, personal financial management skills. Initially conceived nearly 15 years ago, the six-hour seminar is divided into four sections that cover insurance; investing; budgeting and taxes; and credit and using debt wisely. Four Freeman College faculty lead the seminar, each covering a topic and sharing their expertise and experiences to illustrate the concepts. “We intentionally work to make connections so that students feel comfortable coming to us with questions,” says Curtis Nicholls, the Kiken Family Chair in Management.

The signature experience does more than equip participants with foundational skills that empower them for life after graduation — it also encourages students to share what they learn. “We emphasize the value of giving away information freely,” says Nicholls. “We want them all to help continue the cycle of learning.”

This endowed program is supported by the Boyer Family Fund.

candid photo of Professor Curtis Nicholls speaking to attendee at a Freeman College personal finance seminar

Experienced

At the heart of the Freeman College of Management’s reputation for excellence is an experienced faculty that is committed to fostering a culture of exploration and discovery. Their scholarly pursuits give their teaching real-world relevance, equipping students with important, nuanced insights that can’t be gleaned from a textbook. As perpetual learners, they inspire students to delve deeper into their studies and approach complex issues with curiosity and confidence.

Expertise in Action: Freeman Faculty Enrich Student Learning

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Professor Gulay Guzel, markets, innovation & design, studies consumer behavior and social dynamics.
Professor Gulay Guzel, markets, innovation & design, studies consumer behavior and social dynamics.

research highlights

Professor Leandro Bonfim, management & organizations: “Marginalized Communities and the Problem of Research Extraction”
Journal of Management Studies

Professor Melissa Intindola, management & organizations: “HRM and Disenfranchisement: Working Beyond Organizational Boundaries to Tackle Societal Barriers”
Human Resource Management Review

Professor William Meek, the Campbell Rutledge Jr. & Eleanor Rutledge Chair in Management & Entrepreneurship: “The Death and Rebirth of the Entrepreneurial University Model”
Academy of Management Perspectives

Professor James Paine, analytics & operations management: “Dynamic Supply Chains with Endogenous Dispositions”
System Dynamics Review

Decoding Consumer Behavior

Professor Gulay Guzel, markets, innovation & design, merges marketing and sociology to examine consumer behavior and societal dynamics. Her research delves into how social inequalities affect consumers. With colleagues from Chapman University and the Rochester Institute of Technology, Guzel is examining the evolving concept of the “American Dream” amid contemporary economic challenges such as inflation. Since joining Bucknell in 2022, Guzel has mentored numerous students in diverse research pursuits, including cultural appropriation in the fashion industry, the impact of social media beauty filters on teenage girls’ well-being, and the experiences of transfer students trying to achieve a sense of belonging on campus.
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At Bucknell, we are educating the next generation differently. We recognize that students are unique individuals with specific interests. We encourage them to explore different areas to create their own path and to apply ethical considerations to their professional lives. I want students to see how their scholarship can raise critical questions and contribute to solutions. Every student I work with really wants to make a difference and improve society. I don’t know what’s more inspiring.”

Professor Gulay Guzel
markets, innovation & desigN

headshot of Kate Suslava

JUDGING STOCK PRICES

Professor Kate Suslava, accounting & financial management, conducted research published in Global Finance Journal that reveals a link between stock prices and Supreme Court decisions. After an extensive analysis of more than 500 Supreme Court verdicts, Suslava and her collaborators found that the stock price of companies that experienced a positive opinion increased by .6% over the market average that day, while prices fell by .4% more relative to the market average among companies involved with negative decisions.

Making a Good Investment?

Professor of Practice Joe Wilck, analytics & operations management, co-authored a study published in Managing Sport and Leisure to determine if a company’s sponsorship of a sports stadium paid off — and if certain CEOs were likely to make that investment. After examining data from companies that sponsored major sports arenas over the past 30 years, he found a correlation between a CEO’s age and sponsorship inclination — older CEOs were more likely to invest in a naming sponsorship. According to Wilck, that’s likely because CEOs closer to retirement may feel more comfortable taking a risk that may not pay off. This point has merit, considering their research found no conclusive evidence that such sponsorships positively impact a company’s bottom line.
headshot of Joe Wilck
headshot of Joe Wilck

Making a Good Investment?

Professor of Practice Joe Wilck, analytics & operations management, co-authored a study published in Managing Sport and Leisure to determine if a company’s sponsorship of a sports stadium paid off — and if certain CEOs were likely to make that investment. After examining data from companies that sponsored major sports arenas over the past 30 years, he found a correlation between a CEO’s age and sponsorship inclination — older CEOs were more likely to invest in a naming sponsorship. According to Wilck, that’s likely because CEOs closer to retirement may feel more comfortable taking a risk that may not pay off. This point has merit, considering their research found no conclusive evidence that such sponsorships positively impact a company’s bottom line.

Excellence

RANKINGS

Poets&Quants Undergraduate Business School RankingS
Ranked No. 20
Two students recognized
in the “100 Best & Brightest Business Majors of 2024”
One of only three U.S. universities
to be named a
UN Principles for Responsible management education champion
for 2024-25

Financial Aid

46%
of Freeman students in the Class of 2028 received Bucknell aid (need-based, merit or a combination of both)
63%
of Freeman students in the Class of 2028 received any aid (including grants, scholarships, loans and outside aid)
$18,492
average federal student loan debt for the Class of 2023 among those who borrowed (compared to about $30,000 nationally)

College Stats

719; line drawing of headshots
Total Full-time Undergraduate Enrollment
Academic Year 2024-25
98%; hand holding people icon
First-year retention rate
91%; graduation cap icon
Six-year graduation rate
Nearly 7,000
living management/business administration graduates
2,210 Applicants; line drawing of hands raised in the air
439 ADMITTED
19.9% admit rate
185 ENROLLED
42.1% enroll rate
57%
MALE
43%
FEMALE
16%
traditionally underrepresented minority students
57%
MALE

43%
FEMALE

16%
traditionally underrepresented minority students

13 Countries; 21 U.S. States (plus Washington, D.C.)
3.67
Average High School GPA (4.0 scale)
658-713
Middle 50% SAT R Evidence-Based Reading & Writing*
670-733
Middle 50% SAT R Math*
29-31
Middle 50% ACT composite*
*Bucknell is now test-optional, meaning applicants can decide whether to include SAT or ACT scores when applying. 30% of students submitted test scores for application review.

Giving Impact gift wrapped present icon

14 Endowed Faculty Positions
  • David J. ’85 & Deborah West Professorship in Management
  • Susan & Scott Perricelli Fellowship for Entrepreneurial Finance
  • Kenneth W. Freeman Professorship & Deanship of the College of Management
  • Christian R. Lindback Chair in Business Administration
  • James & Elizabeth Freeman Chair in Management
  • Campbell Rutledge Jr. & Eleanor Rutledge Chair in Management & Entrepreneurship
  • Howard I. Scott Professorship of Practice in Social Entrepreneurship
  • Howard I. Scott Associate Professorship of Managerial Practice
  • Howard I. Scott Professorship of Business Analytics & Operations
  • Holmes Professorship in Management
  • Kiken Family Chair in Management
  • William H. Dunkak Chair in Finance
  • Sidney L. Miller Career Development Assistant Professorship of Leadership
  • Sidney L. Miller Career Development Assistant Professorship of Analytics & Operations Management

Funds Raised

Fiscal Year 2024

Gifts
$433,504
Matching gifts
$72,937
Planned gifts
$25,000
Pledges
$986,520
Total
$1,517,961

Donors

pie chart; Alumni: $1,259,159, Parents & families: $141,218, Corporations, foundations & organizations: $73,237, Others*: $44,347. *Students, staff and other individuals

Expanding Excellence

Your support is the spark that drives the Freeman College of Management forward, fueling the critical initiatives and shaping the ongoing evolution of the student journey. Your generosity enables us to establish innovative interdisciplinary centers, invest in faculty development, expand financial aid resources and provide hands-on learning experiences. Your contributions not only advance our mission but also empower future generations by fostering valuable networking opportunities and connections that guide students to meaningful careers.

We are grateful for the ways you help us educate tomorrow’s thought leaders and problem solvers — in business and beyond. You give us confidence in our future; we can’t wait to see what’s next.

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