Stevens Institute unveils first-ever undergraduate "E-Business" degree program to integrate technology and business skills

HOBOKEN, N.J. – Stevens Institute of Technology today announced a groundbreaking undergraduate degree program designed to equip students for success in a competitive business environment increasingly characterized by the convergence of new technologies with business management strategies.

The new E-Business program – a Bachelor of Science– will focus on the practical applications of science and technology competencies with core business requirements such as production, marketing, supply-chain management and customer service.

Under the program’s E-business umbrella, students will focus on the integration of technology and business, and will have the opportunity to select courses of specialized study initially in the areas of e-commerce, financial services and healthcare. Stevens officials said that they plan to add other specializations as the marketplace expands.

The innovative curriculum will also imbue students with an understanding of how the new electronically bonded network of customers, suppliers, and creators of services and products affects business operations and tactical decision-making.

"Businesses today are starving for employees who are fluent in both the language of technology and the language of business," said Harold J. Raveche, President of Stevens. "Through our newly developed ‘E-Business’ BS programs, Stevens has not only crafted a university experience that offers students unparalleled options and greater earning power, but also meets the needs of corporations for whom we have become an increasingly critical resource."

Rick Roscitt, president and CEO of AT&T Solutions, marked the occasion by announcing a $100,000 AT&T grant for the development of the new curriculum designed to prepare a workforce with both technology and management skills. Roscitt added that AT&T would also support the Stevens ‘E-degree’ program by hosting a specific number of students through four-year work-study programs as well as a commitment to hire a yet to be determined number of graduates of the program.

"It’s very exciting to see a school with Stevens’ technical track record and resources directly respond to the tremendous changes in the business community," said Roscitt, who also serves as member of Steven’s Board of Trustees and is a prospective teacher.

"These Stevens’ E-Business graduates will be highly sought-after because they will not require the traditional time and training allowing them to become effective employees," Roscitt continued. "Additionally, students who understand real world business and technology issues and applications are at a premium right now."

Stevens Institute of Technology officials said that the new program is being introduced to build upon the 130 years of tradition in strong technical education, and combine that education with the skills being demanded in today’s market. Stevens officials expect to be recognized as much for their development and evolution of technology-related business education, as they have for science and technology since their inception.

"Academia all too often stays true to its course and methodology in educating its students," Raveche said. "At Stevens we have listened to the industry leaders and developed a program to address their concerns as we have for the past 130 years. By continuing to evolve with the marketplace, Stevens will undoubtedly continue to be the pre-eminent of producer of presidents, CEO’s and top executives well into the future."

Raveche explained that the E-Business program will draw heavily on Stevens’ unmatched pool of "teaching executives," corporate advisers and its highly acclaimed faculty. The Bachelor of Science in E-Business degree will offer an emphasis on areas such as virtual networking, networked applications, Web-enabled financial and consumer services, and technology management.

Stevens officials said that an aggressive recruitment effort designed specifically to attract top entrants for the especially challenging four-year degree is already underway. As this program is strategically designed to fulfill the growing technology and business demands of today’s corporations, it should be very attractive to students – and parents – who will be striving for success in the competitive marketplace of tomorrow.

Specific degree course requirements will be finalized 2Q99. Corporations and students are urged to contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions for more information: Phone: 800-458-5323, Fax: 201-216-8348 email: admissions@stevens.edu .

Stevens Institute of Technology was established in 1870 by the Stevens family who pioneered the integration of business and technology. Stevens offers baccalaureate, master and doctoral degrees in engineering, science, computer science, management, and technology as well as a baccalaureate in the humanities and liberal arts. The university has a total enrollment of more than 1,600 undergraduates and 2,100 graduate students.

On a per capita basis, Stevens ranks 11^th out of the top 550 colleges and universities which have produced the most presidents, vice presidents and directors of U.S. companies.* The origins of such corporate giants as Texas Instruments and General Motors can be traced to Stevens’ graduates, as well as a myriad of other top companies.

*Based on a survey by Virginia Military Institute using Standard & Poor’s Data.

Contact: Joe Orlando, IMEDIA, Inc.973-267-8500. ext. 228

About Stevens Institute of Technology

Founded in 1870 and celebrating 140 Years of Innovation, Stevens Institute of Technology, The Innovation University TM , lives at the intersection of industry, academics and research.  The University's students, faculty and partners leverage their collective real-world experience and culture of innovation, research and entrepreneurship to confront global challenges in engineering, science, systems and technology management.

Based in Hoboken, N.J. and with a location in Washington, D.C., Stevens offers baccalaureate, master’s, certificates and doctoral degrees in engineering, the sciences and management, in addition to baccalaureate degrees in business and liberal arts.  Stevens has been recognized by both the US Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security as a National Center of Excellence in the areas of systems engineering and port security research. The University has a total enrollment of more than 2,200 undergraduate and 3,700 graduate students with almost 450 faculty. Stevens’ graduate programs have attracted international participation from China, India, Southeast Asia, Europe and Latin America as well as strategic partnerships with industry leaders, governments and other universities around the world.  Additional information may be obtained at www.stevens.edu and www.stevens.edu/press.