WHU
WHU was founded in 1984 on the initiative of the Koblenz Chamber of Industry and Commerce as a university “by business for business.” WHU stands for “Wissenschaftliche Hochschule für Unternehmensführung” and, after almost 40 years, is not only one of the best and most renowned educational institutions for business management in Germany but also enjoys a high international reputation.

Success Story

Under the motto "Excellence in Management Education," WHU lives up to this claim in teaching, research, and practice. The business school has become a role model for future-oriented research and teaching in business administration. Discover more about the success story of WHU, which makes you forget the humble beginnings in an elementary school in Koblenz and the resistance against which the initiators implemented their idea of a private business school.

Timeline

May 2023
Dean's Office
 
Professor Christian Andres is elected the new dean
October 2022
Infrastructure
 
Opening of the new "Bogenhalle" on Campus Düsseldorf
October 2020
Programs
 
WHU Global Online MBA is started online
May 2020
Dean's Office
 
Professor Markus Rudolf is re-elected dean
November 2019
Welcome Center
 
WHU Welcome Center for employees and faculty opens in Vallendar
April 2019
Programs
 
WHU Customized Master in Management and Entrepreneurship (CMiME) starts in Vallendar and Berlin
March 2019
Accreditations
 
WHU receives EQUIS re-accreditation
October 2018
Accreditations
 
WHU receives FIBAA re-accreditation
May 2017
Dean's Office
 
Professor Markus Rudolf is re-elected dean
January 2017
Programs
 
WHU kicks off Master in Entrepreneurship (MSc) in Vallendar
May 2017
Dean's Office
 
Professor Markus Rudolf es re-elected dean
January 2017
Programs
 
WHU Master in Entrepreneurship (MSc) starts in Vallendar
January 2016
Accreditations
 
WHU receives AACSB re-accreditation
January 2015
Dean's Office
 
Professor Markus Rudolf is re-elected dean
March 2014
Anniversary
 
WHU celebrates its 30th anniversary
January 2014
Accreditations
 
WHU receives EQUIS re-accreditation
January 2014
Infrastructure
 
Opening of the new premises on Campus Düsseldorf
October 2013
Programs
 
New Open Enrollment Programs
September 2013
Programs
 
Separation of the Master of Science Program into Maser in Management and Master in Finance
October 2012
Infrastructure
 
WHU opens its second Campus in Düsseldorf
January 2012
Accreditation
 
WHU receives the FIBAA System Accreditation
January 2011
Dean's Office
 
Professor Michael Frenkel is re-elected dean
January 2010
Accreditations
 
WHU receives AACSB accreditation
January 2010
Infrastructure
 
Opening of the new building D in Vallendar
January 2010
Programs
 
WHU Part-Time MBA starts in Düsseldorf
January 2009
Anniversary
 
WHU celebrates its 25th anniversary
January 2009
Dean's Office
 
Professor Michael Frenkel is re-elected dean
January 2009
Accreditations
 
WHU receives erneut EQUIS re-accreditation
October 2008
Infrastructure
 
Opening of the new Master building in Vallendar
September 2008
Programs
 
The first students start their Master of Science Programm at WHU
February 2008
Infrastructure
 
Opening of the new Bachelor building in Vallendar
January 2008
Academia
 
The first Assistant Professors ("Junior-Professoren") are appointed
January 2007
Dean's Office
 
Professor Michael Frenkel is re-elected dean
January 2006
Programs
 
WHU and the Bucerius Law School initiate the joint Bucerius/WHU Master of Law and Business Program
December 2006
Accreditations
 
WHU becomes a member of AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business)
October 2005
Programs
 
Ceremonial enrollment of the first Bachelor students
September 2005
Infrastructure
 
Opening of the new dormitory "Campus Krautkrämer"
March 2005
Programs
 
The first full-time MBA students begin their studies
February 2005
Dean's Office
 
Professor Michael Frenkel is re-elected dean
January 2005
Accreditations
 
WHU achieves FIBAA accreditation
January 2004
Dean's Office
 
Professor Peter J. Jost is elected new dean
May 2002
Dean's Office
 
Professor Klaus Brockhoff is re-elected dean
January 2001
German Research Foundation
 
WHU becomes a member of the German Research Foundation (DFG)
December 2000
Infrastructure
 
The new building G and H are opened for lectures in Vallendar
January 1999
Dean's Office
 
Professor Klaus Brockhoff is elected the new dean
January 1998
Dean's Office
 
Professor Adolf Friedrich Jacob is re-elected dean
January 1998
Accreditations
 
WHU receives EQUIS re-accreditation
January 1997
Programs
 
Kellogg-WHU Executive MBA (EMBA) program starts
January 1996
Dean's Office
 
Professor Michael Frenkel is elected the new dean
January 1995
Dean's Office
 
Professor Horst G. Carus is elected the new dean
January 1993
Change of name
 
Metro founder Professor Otto Beisheim donates 50 million Deutsche Mark to WHU. WHU changes its name into WHU - Otto Beisheim School of Management
January 1992
Dean's Office
 
Professor Adolf Friedrich Jacob is elected the new dean
January 1990
Dean's Office
 
Professor Jürgen Weber is elected the new dean
January 1989
Dean's Office
 
Professor Wilhem Pfähler is elected the new dean
October 1988
Programs
 
First students graduate
October 1988
Infrastructure
 
Gala opening of the new business school facility in Vallendar
January 1988
Dean's Office
 
Hanno Ludwig becomes the first honorary senator
September 1987
Academia
 
Approval of the regulations for WHU habilitations (post-doctoral thesis)
September 1987
Programs
 
Arrival of the first foreign exchange student, Karen Jolliffe from Queens University
May 1986
Programs
 
WHU starts offering doctoral studies
January 1986
Dean's Office
 
Professor Wolfgang König is elected the new dean
April 1985
Dean's Office
 
First meeting of the Board of Trustees and election of the first dean, Professor Sönke Albers
October 1984
Dean's Office
 
Professor Friedrich A. von Hayek is appointed honorary dean
October 1984
Programs
 
A total of 48 students begin their studies in the former premises of an elementary school in Koblenz Karthause
August 1984
Foundation phase
 
Final government approval
July 1984
Programs
 
First WHU students admission process
May 1984
Foundation phase
 
Renewed application to the Ministry of Culture for government approval of the new university
March 1984
Foundation phase
 
Recognition of the society “Stiftung Wissenschaftliche Hochschule für Unternehmensführung” (WHU Foundation)
January 1984
Foundation phase
 
First meeting of the founding members of the senate, to finalize the concept, courses and curricula
January 1984
Foundation phase
 
“Official hour of birth of the university” – the first large press conference by the founders in the nation’s capital city, Bonn
December 1983
Foundation phase
 
Entry of the “Stifterverband Private Universität Koblenz - Wissenschaftliche Hochschule für Unternehmensführung” (WHU Benefactors' Association) in the registry of societies
July 1983
Foundation phase
 
Application to the Ministry of Culture for accreditation or authorization of an international school of economics in Koblenz as a privately funded business school
May 1983
Foundation phase
 
Submission of the “Basic concept for an independent, international elite university for the preparation of future leadership for the economy” to the Ministry of Culture
2023-2018
2017-2012
2011-2006
2005-2000
1999-1994
1993-1988
1987-1983

Foundation of the School

The President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Koblenz, Hanno Luwdig, its Managing Director, Karl Darscheid and European business school executive, Udo Glittenberg, established WHU as a private university to balance deficits in business education. It is thanks to their dedication and determination that WHU is considered a leading European business school.
 
Development of the basic concept

In spring 1983, initial discussions about founding a private university culminated in the basic concept for an ‘independent, international, and elite university that prepares the future leaders for the economy.’ This basic concept was submitted in May 1983 to the Rhineland Palatinate Ministry of Culture by Karl Darscheid, Managing Director of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Koblenz, to demonstrate the state’s business community’s support for such an institution.

For the state to recognize the school, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry was the appropriate negotiating partner for the Ministry of Culture. The first pre-requisite was creating a university body, the only type of body able to apply for state recognition. The WHU Foundation was approved for this purpose in 1984. It is thanks to the school’s strong business contacts that a sound financial basis could be established to ensure the existence of the business school in its early years. 

Once the school was awarded state recognition, the first courses of study began on October 1, 1984. During its first few years, the school was based in an elementary school in Koblenz-Karthause. To enable expansion, the school began searching for alternative premises and found a suitable building in neighboring Vallendar. In August 1988, WHU moved to Marienburg, in the city's center. The school successfully celebrated the inauguration of the new premises in time for the new academic year in October 1988. 

Professor Dr. h.c. mult. Otto Beisheim – WHU namesake

Professor Dr. h.c. mult. Otto Beisheim sadly passed away on February 18, 2013. The WHU Foundation and School have lost a great friend and supporter.

Professor Beisheim, the founder of Metro and Metro AG shareholder, provided WHU with unwavering support and commitment. His generosity has allowed WHU to evolve into a prominent and reputable business school enjoyed by academics, the business world, students, alumni, and the public. After a difficult launch phase, Professor Beisheim restored WHU to solid financial ground by increasing the Foundation’s capital. Since then, WHU has taken his name as the Otto Beisheim School of Management in honor of his 50 million Deutschmark donation, which still constitutes a significant proportion of WHU’s endowment capital.

Professor Beisheim also supported the creation and funding of two WHU chairs – the chair of Marketing and Commerce (founded in 1989) and the chair of Entrepreneurship (founded in 2000), the Otto Beisheim Chair and Prof. Otto Beisheim Endowed Chair, respectively. The Professor Beisheim Foundation also partially funded a third chair for Technology and Innovation Management.

Professor Beisheim was interested in the school's excellence of teaching and research, and his support was based on achievement in these areas. Alongside this commitment to WHU, Professor Beisheim generously supported other universities, schools, the arts and music, sports, and medical facilities.

In appreciation for his generous support, WHU awarded its benefactor and namesake, Professor Dr. H.C. mult. Otto Beisheim, with the title of honorary senator in 2003 in celebration of his 80th birthday. This is the highest honor the school can bestow. In 2005, WHU conferred the Ring of Honour to him.

The WHU Foundation and School will hold his memory in the highest honor.

Professor Dr. h.c. mult. Otto Beisheim

"Be assured that the namesake of your, our, university will remain committed to the purpose of this institution, with pride in what has been achieved and eagerness to face the challenges of tomorrow. I will always be the most energetic proponent of our idea of a private initiative in the area of higher education and the encouragement of the elite. I remain one of you."
WHU