Get a “First Look” Inside Washington's New Warehime School of Business

Historic Liberal Arts College’s Global Business Hub Launching on the Eastern Shore this Fall.

Washington College has released a preview of the design plans for the new Warehime School of Business, showcasing a high-tech facility designed to bridge the gap between liberal arts education and "Day 1" professional readiness for its business students. Supported by a historic $15 million gift from alumna Beth Warehime Rizakos ‘13 and the Warehime Family Foundation, the school is set to become a regional anchor for business innovation, offering its graduates a launchpad to become ethical, globally minded, impact-driven leaders.  

The admission of the school’s first class is set for this coming fall. Majors offered will include business management, economics, international studies, and French, German, and Hispanic studies majors — all specialties that will enable graduates to navigate complexity, strengthen their communities, and lead with purpose. Additional major/minor programs include international business, marketing, quantitative finance, data analytics, accounting, arts management & entrepreneurship, among others.  

A Building Designed for Global Connection  

Newly released floor plans and interior mock-ups from design firm GWWO of the two-story facility reveal a design centered on collaboration and international engagement. Key features include: 

• Global Distance Learning Classrooms: Two specialized classrooms equipped with real-time streaming technology to connect students with international peers and global markets. 

• Finance & Investment Lab: A state-of-the-art lab housing the Brown Advisory Student Managed Fund, where students manage a real-world portfolio exceeding $2 million in equities that has consistently outperformed market benchmarks. 

• The Forum & Gathering Hub: An expansive, open-concept atrium and Forum designed for easy, organic gathering and community collaboration. 

• Innovative Student Spaces: The facility includes a dedicated Faculty Hub for close student-mentor interaction, a Quiet Study suite, and interactive technology. 

“The Warehime School of Business represents a bold evolution of the Washington College mission, proving that a rigorous liberal arts foundation is the ultimate competitive advantage in the modern marketplace,” said Washington College Interim President Bryan Matthews '75 M'86 P'12. “We’re giving our students a high-tech collaborative space where global streaming technology and real-world investment labs provide a premier business education within our uniquely personal environment. With Warehime we are giving our students the intellectual toolkit and the ethical framework to lead with purpose from Day One.” 

“Washington College gave me the foundation to navigate the business world with purpose,” said Beth Warehime Rizakos '13. "My vision for this school has always been to provide Washington College students with a competitive edge that blends the critical thinking of a liberal arts education with the high-tech resources of a top tier business hub. By investing in these state-of-the-art labs and global classrooms, we are ensuring that our graduates are ready to enter the workforce with confidence while leading with ethical purpose and international perspective." 

Expanding Access: New Global Business Minor  

Coinciding with the building’s development, Washington College will launch a new minor in Global Business, Economics, and Social Impact for the 2026-27 academic year as well. This multidisciplinary program is designed to be accessible to students in every major—from the arts to the sciences—allowing them to pair their primary field of study with high-demand skills in international trade, sustainable development, and cross-cultural communication. 

“This minor opens the Warehime School of Business to students from across the College,” said Caddie Putnam Rankin, Associate Dean of the Warehime School of Business. “It gives them the opportunity to critically integrate global insight and applied experience as they prepare for their future careers”. 

Real-World "Big School" Opportunities in an Engaged Setting 

The Warehime School will offer "big school" competitive advantages to its students in Washington College’s hallmark intimate liberal arts setting. Initiatives include: 

• International Experiences: Funding and support for paid global and domestic internships and research opportunities.  

• Competitive Excellence: A delegation of students from the investment lab travel each year to New York City to represent the College at Quinnipiac University’s GAME Forum Conference. 

• Business Incubation Opportunities: With direct access to the Washington College Innovation Plant, Warehime students will be able to turn classroom ideas into real ventures—accessing mentorship, workspace, and programming that helps students prototype, test, and launch. 

With a significant portion of funding to support the school’s programming in place, the school is currently enrolling students, with the building officially set to open in 2028, ensuring a vibrant, diverse cohort of future leaders. A groundbreaking ceremony has been set for April 18.  

- Dominique Ellis Falcon