About SCM at Syracuse University

A Rich History

The supply chain program in the Whitman School is the oldest in the country. In 1919, at the time of the founding of Syracuse University's College of Business, a "specialization" in Traffic and Transportation was offered. The curriculum consisted of three courses: Railroad Transportation, Water Transportation, and Traffic Management.

In 1920, a local industrialist and founder of the Franklin Automobile Company provided an $80,000 endowment for the H. H. Franklin Chaired Professorship in Transportation. This was the third endowed gift received by the University. The "Chair" was occupied by Professor and Dean Charles Raper, who was responsible for moving the transportation program from an economic perspective into the period of regulation and the Interstate Commerce Commission.

In 1921, SU's College of Business introduced majors, one of which was Transportation, and in this same year, Professor Raper offered the first class in the country on Motor Transportation. The transportation curriculum consisted of 16 different courses.

Since 1949, the Harry E. Salzberg Memorial Program has been presenting Salzberg Medallions to individuals and companies in recognition of outstanding achievement in or contributions to the fields of transportation, logistics, and supply chain management. Held at Syracuse University, the program features lectures by the medallion recipients, award ceremonies, as well as presentations from other distinguished professionals and selected students. The audience is drawn from the Syracuse University community, officials, and policy makers from all levels of government and from the national business community. The Salzberg Medallion has come to be recognized as one of the most prestigious awards in the field of transportation and supply chain management. The Harry E. Salzberg Memorial Program is made possible by a grant made to Syracuse University by Murray M. Salzberg '37 BS, honoring his father's distinguished career in transportation.

The Salzberg Program is a central component of the Whitman School of Management's program in Supply Chain Management which combines rigorous course experiences with exceptional opportunities for student involvement in the professional transportation and supply chain management communities - spearheading student participation in professional associations, internships, competitions, and corporate visits.

Some more recent historical events include:

• 1969: Professor Theodore Wallin begins 27 year leadership role in the Franklin and Salzberg programs, strengthening ties with industry and broadening professional opportunities for students.
• 1972: The Transportation major is renamed as Transportation and Distribution Management.
• 1988: Alumnus Robert H. Brethen, Chairman and CEO of Phillips Industries, establishes the Robert H. Brethen Institute to create and disseminate knowledge that improves the management of operating systems.
• 1989: The September issue of Transportation and Distribution Management includes Syracuse University in an unranked list of the top seven logistics programs in the country.
• 1995: Syracuse is ranked as the 15th best transportation and logistics program in a study published by the Journal of Business Logistics.
• 1998: The major of Transportation and Distribution Management is renamed as Supply Chain Management and the current curriculum is introduced.
• 2003: The September issue of World Trade includes Syracuse University in an unranked list of 15 logistics "Programs at the Head of the Class."
• 2005: Syracuse is ranked as the 10th best supply chain management program in a study published in the September issue of Supply Chain Management Review.

Today the Whitman School of Management offers degree programs in Supply Chain Management at undergraduate and graduate levels. These programs are interdisciplinary, involving faculty from other departments in the school. Topic coverage includes demand management, inventory control, risk sharing, supply chain planning, buyer-seller alliances, information flows, transportation, production management, and business-to-business marketing in a global setting. There is an emphasis on information technology throughout the curriculum.