Suffolk University was founded in 1906 as a Law School for working adults. The University expanded in 1934 by establishing the College of Arts and Sciences and again in 1937, with the establishment of the School of Management. The school added the MBA degree program in 1948. Suffolk initiated New England’s first Executive MBA program in 1975 and the first MBA Online program in New England in 1999.

In 1995, the School of Management was renamed the Sawyer Business School in honor of Frank Sawyer, Boston entrepreneur and University benefactor. A self-made businessman, Frank Sawyer went from being a taxi driver in Boston to founding the Checker Taxi Company in 1921, setting the bar for customer service in the taxi service industry. His company was one of the first to accept passengers of any race and the first to hire a black driver.

Later, Sawyer added Town Taxi and Red Cab and became instrumental in the development of Avis Rent-a-Car. Though he never attended college, Frank Sawyer had a great respect for education and for those who must struggle to finance for it. He died in 1992 at the age of 97. In 2006, the Sawyer School of Management was renamed the Sawyer Business School.

“This country is open to anyone. You need to start with imagination. If you can imagine something, and work hard, you can do it.” -Frank Sawyer

These qualities and the ideals for which they stand, are embedded in our mission to create opportunities and provide quality education in a supportive environment.