Hired as dean of the School of Business and Economics in 1991, Berkwood M. Farmer came here to "take a school of business that was good and make it better."

He had taught at West Point and the University of Richmond, had served as chief agricultural economist for the state of Virginia, and, with eleven other Richmond businessmen, had founded a successful bank. Dr. Farmer had the right academic credentials, the right experience and knew the right people to take the Longwood SOBE right where the president and Board of Visitors wanted it to go ­ national accreditation. The process took five years.

The International Association for Management Education, known as AACSB, is this country's most prestigious accrediting agency for business school programs. In Virginia, 13 business schools have qualified; nationally, about 350 are accredited out of 1200 institutions offering business degree programs. In 1998 Longwood SOBE earned full accreditation for 10 years.

It also earned seven commendations: for student-centered environment, commitment to diversity, outstanding leadership at all levels, a new facility with emphasis on technology, strong external support through a corporate advisory board, an environment of continuous improvement, and support throughout the whole campus for the school. A "cum laude" certification.

As for the "new facility with emphasis on technology," Dean Farmer calls Longwood's SOBE "the most technologically advanced business school in Virginia." In the Hiner Building, all classrooms are equipped with state-of-the-art technology.

Dean Farmer gives a lot of credit for improvements in the Business School to the Corporate Advisory Board. "We instituted the Corporate Board the first year I was here. The board has been essential to getting the school accredited, in bringing business-world input into our curriculum, in working with various sources to get internships for our students and better jobs for our graduates and, from the lobbyist point of view, to getting Hiner renovated."