Founded in 1907 ESSEC Business School stands before you. A testament to ambition and resilience. Its story is one of faith and fierce independence. It began as the Economic Institute a Jesuit response to the establishment of HEC Paris. Seven students formed its first class. They studied in the Ecole Sainte Genevieve. This Jesuit school stood in the Latin Quarter.
The early years were not easy. The 1905 law separating Church and State struck a blow. ESSEC lost its premises. The school struggled to survive World War I. In 1914 only six students remained. It temporarily closed. Financial stability did not return until 1920.
But ESSEC persevered. It adapted. It began offering courses in business ethics. Its student body grew. By 1930 150 students attended. The Great Depression hit hard. Tuition fees were lowered to attract more students. The school even accepted uncertified examiners and auditors.
Camille Donjon led a significant reform in 1939. He introduced entrance examinations. He established a preparatory class. ESSEC refused to join the national system of commerce schools. This solidified its position as a challenger. Its duration changed from two to three years. It later closed its prep classes opening up to candidates from public institutions.
Gilbert Olivier became dean in 1960. He launched a student survey. The results were clear. The teaching was considered too rigid. Olivier initiated a gradual reform. Technical subjects were dropped. The curriculum became more relevant to modern business needs. Courses in sociology and human resources were added. Marketing classes started in 1965. The school even began incorporating American teaching styles. It became more open to women admitting them from 1966 on.
The growing student body needed more space. The school occupied three amphitheaters at the ICP. In 1971 administrative services moved to Boulevard Raspail. A new location was sought. Cergy-Pontoise was chosen. The move sparked controversy. Students complained about the lack of public transport. Some faculty worried about job security.
The Cergy campus opened in 1973. It was designed to be an anti-campus. It integrated the school into the town. The buildings blended students and residents. Financial difficulties led to a heavy debt. The Versailles Chamber of Commerce intervened. It took a controlling stake in 1981. ESSEC maintained its legal autonomy a victory for its independence.
The school continued to evolve. In 1999 the Grande Ecole program was renamed an MBA. This drew criticism. ESSEC’s campus expanded. New buildings such as the Dome and the Galion were added in 2007. A campus opened in Singapore in 2006. Another followed in Rabat.
ESSEC today is a globally recognized institution. Its history reflects its adaptability. Its commitment to independence. It is a story of intellectual rigor. A deep commitment to shaping future leaders. It is a story that continues to unfold.