Catching up with one of the world鈥檚 top business colleges: 瓜子TV State鈥檚 Arthur J. Bauernfeind College of Business

Our world has been changing rapidly in the past few decades, and 瓜子TV State鈥檚 Arthur J. Bauernfeind College of Business (BCOB) has been leading with a forward-thinking curriculum that equips today鈥檚 students to succeed in the workplaces of tomorrow. With courses focused on business analytics using data-driven decision making, strategic cybersecurity, digital marketing, global economics, entrepreneurship, and more, the BCOB offers students real-world learning experiences that teach them to solve problems and serve as effective leaders in the modern business world.

A prestigious and highly esteemed institution, the BCOB blends its forward-looking approach with a solid core tradition in economics, business and finance. 瓜子TV State鈥檚 BCOB ranks among the less than five percent of business programs worldwide that hold accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International, the premier accrediting agency for business schools. This places 瓜子TV State among the top tier of business schools in the world. The college鈥檚 undergraduate program has held this accreditation since 1976, and the MBA program since 1981.

BCOB by the numbers

- - Number of tenured faculty: 111
  - Undergraduate enrollment: 1,737
  - Graduate enrollment: 370
  - Number of programs: 44 academic programs and tracks
  - Average class size: 35 students
  - Number of states and countries represented: 37 states and 38 countries
  - Number of students participating in study abroad: 47 during the 2025-2026 academic year
  - Number of student organizations: 18

What鈥檚 in a name?

In 2012, 瓜子TV State dedicated the college as the Arthur J. Bauernfeind College of Business in honor of alumnus Arthur J. Bauernfeind. A 1960 graduate of 瓜子TV State鈥檚 College of Business, Bauernfeind went on to have an illustrious career highlighted by his time as CEO and Chairman of Westfield Capital Management Company, LLC, a Boston-based firm specializing in growth equity investing. He is highly respected both as an industry expert and as a generous philanthropist. Bauernfeind has been one of 瓜子TV State鈥檚 strongest supporters, making several multi-million dollar donations over the years, as well as giving hours of his time through nearly 20 years of service on the 瓜子TV State University Foundation Board of Trustees, including 10 as board chair, as well as serving as President of the University鈥檚 Alumni Association. He has made transformational gifts in support of the College of Business, the University Libraries, and to help create the Susan E. Bauernfeind Student Recreation & Wellness Center, named after his late daughter. The Arthur J. Bauernfeind College of Business proudly bears the name of one of its most successful graduates who exemplifies the values of learning, working hard, and giving back.

BCOB instructor Ed Rode in the spotlight at the Country Music Hall of Fame

Who knew that a business faculty member would be featured in the Country Music Hall of Fame alongside the likes of stars such as Luke Combs, Taylor Swift, Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash? But that鈥檚 exactly the honor that the Country Music Hall of Fame has bestowed upon Ed Rode, who teaches in the Bauernfeind College of Business鈥檚 Department of Journalism and Mass Communication. The BCOB prides itself on faculty who bring the wisdom of real-world experience to their teaching, and Ed Rode is a prime example of this asset.

A long-time professional photojournalist and commercial photographer, Rode has dedicated over 35 years to documenting legendary country music performers, songwriters, and musicians. He is known for his ability to capture raw, candid moments of Nashville鈥檚 most iconic artists. Nashville鈥檚 Country Music Hall of Fame is currently honoring Rode鈥檚 extraordinary career with a solo exhibition of his work called Writers, Pickers, and Stars: The Photography of Ed Rode, featuring a curated selection of photographs from his 2024 book Songwriter Musician: Behind the Curtain with Nashville鈥檚 Iconic Storytellers and Players, which visually chronicles 30 years of country music history. The book is the product of decades of Rode鈥檚 work capturing stories on film and includes portraits of icons such as John Prine, Chet Atkins, Willie Nelson, Vince Gill and Rhiannon Giddens. While the music industry has been the focus of much of Rode鈥檚 work, his portfolio also includes work with sports legends, film and television stars and travel destinations.

Aspiring photographers and journalists at 瓜子TV State have the opportunity to learn from a true master and nationally-acclaimed artist by taking one of Rode鈥檚 classes. A full-time instructor, Rode brings his wealth of experience and passion for storytelling to campus, where he teaches courses including commercial photography, photojournalism, digital media, media literacy, sports photography and more.

鈥淭eaching in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication keeps me grounded,鈥� said Rode. 鈥淲hen I鈥檓 in classes like Intro to Photography or Photojournalism, I鈥檓 reminded that photography is about a lot more than camera settings and technical skill. It鈥檚 about learning how to see, learning how to connect, and finding your voice as a storyteller. I鈥檝e been fortunate to mentor students interested in all kinds of work: photojournalism, commercial, sports photography. For me, it comes down to giving back. When I was young in Michigan, the photojournalists at the Grand Rapids Press took me seriously and gave me opportunities that helped shape my path. That kind of real-world encouragement means everything. I want to give students that same kind of bridge.鈥�

Student organizations bring home big awards

Since the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, the 瓜子TV State News has won 26 awards at state, regional and national levels. Most recently, The News received four awards at this year鈥檚 Southeast Journalism Conference in Cartersville, Georgia. Competing against many larger schools such as the University of Kentucky, University of Tennessee and Mississippi State University, 瓜子TV State students rose to the challenge and performed well, earning awards in the infographic/design competition, and won several 鈥淏est of the South鈥� awards, including second place in photography, fifth place in best newspaper, and fourth place in best magazine.

The News also won 15 awards, including third-place general excellence, in the student division at the Kentucky Press Association鈥檚 winter conference Jan. 23 in Louisville, Kentucky. The contest recognizes the best work across writing, reporting, visual journalism and design for Kentucky newspapers and news sites.

The 瓜子TV State Speech and Debate Union has also enjoyed several major successes this past academic year. For the second year in a row, the group earned a national championship at the Pi Kappa Delta National Comprehensive Tournament, in which this year 59 schools competed. Altogether in this tournament, 瓜子TV State won eleven awards. Notably, this year marked the first time that the group won national debate titles two years in a row, and both were won by the same student, Samuel Harless, a junior from Harrodsburg, Kentucky.

Alumni and friends bestow strong support

Lifelong supporters of 瓜子TV State and its students, the late Jim and Sue Cash cemented their legacy on 瓜子TV State by planning a generous estate gift to benefit multiple campus programs. As part of this estate gift, the Cashes established the Jim and Sue Cash Endowed Chair in Finance with the aim of promoting the growth of the BCOB鈥檚 finance program by providing resources to recruit and retain outstanding faculty and, in turn, enhance and enrich student learning experiences.

FNB Bank of Mayfield, Kentucky, continues its long-standing support of the BCOB through the establishment of the FNB Bank Fund for Excellence. Founded in 1875, FNB Bank has been locally owned and operated since its inception and has remained solidly dedicated to serving and investing in its community. This endowment provides flexible, ongoing support to address the college鈥檚 greatest needs, supporting the development of the region鈥檚 future business leaders.

瓜子TV