Colgate University President Brian W. Casey announced a new partnership with Dartmouth College’s Tuck School of Business in an email sent out on Friday, Aug. 30. This partnership will offer the college’s Business Bridge Program for Colgate sophomores and juniors in January, hosted on Colgate’s campus in collaboration with the Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation. The program, which normally takes place during the summer on Dartmouth’s campus, aims to expose students from non-business backgrounds to essential business principles.
Casey highlighted Tuck’s history and the resources it would offer Colgate students.
“Founded in 1900, the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth was the nation’s first graduate school to offer a master’s degree in business administration. Colgate’s new bridge program will connect our students with Tuck faculty,” Casey said.
The program will welcome between 20 and 30 students annually, giving them a chance to immerse themselves in intensive business courses taught by Tuck faculty, participate in group work and present capstone projects evaluated by Colgate alumni. Milone Family AVP for Career Initiatives Teresa Olsen emphasized the importance of the program for Colgate students.
“There are many Colgate students curious about ‘business’ but aren’t really sure what that means,” Olsen said. “This collaboration is designed to give sophomores and juniors a chance to participate in one of the most highly sought out business bridge programs in the country. Through their participation, students will gain skills and perspectives that will help them clarify their career direction and compete for future internship and job searches.”
One unique aspect of this new initiative is that it will be held on Colgate’s campus, fostering a closer-knit learning environment for its students. Senior Thomas Stovall, a past participant of the Tuck summer program at Dartmouth, underscored the significance of the location.
“This shift will put the Colgate community at the heart of the program,” Stovall said. “Colgate students will have the opportunity to learn from each other and make significant alumni relationships in the setting of our own campus.”
Stovall also highlighted the program’s interdisciplinary approach, which welcomes students from a range of majors and backgrounds. The variety of academic backgrounds, he noted, offers unique perspectives on solving business problems and valuation.
“I met people from a wide range of disciplines who each bring a unique perspective,” Stovall said.
The partnership also comes with a notable financial benefit. Full financial support will be available to at least 10 students each year.
“Through a generous gift from Giovanni ’94 and Maree Cutaia, we will be able to offer several students significant financial aid to attend,” Olsen said. “We know the financial cost often affects students’ access to career-related preparation activities; this gift allows us to mitigate that barrier for several students.”
Applications for the competitive program are open until Sept. 30. Students of various backgrounds are encouraged to apply, especially those interested in business fields. The first chapter of the program will commence this upcoming January.
