Bringing the University to the City

Professional Schools
With the goal of research always in mind, the University developed schools to train professionals in ministry, medicine, business, education, and law. Schools for music and engineering were also contemplated by President Harper before he died. Chicago graduates found positions nationwide, but a substantial number made their homes in the city and surrounding region. Of 27,000 alumni in the Chicago metropolitan area in 1991, 9000 were MBAs, 2000 worked in the legal professions, 1200 served as social workers, and 800 were physicians.

While the Law School faculty quickly gained a national reputation for its research on broad issues, some professors focused on improving the legal system in Chicago as well. Julian Mack, appointed to the first faculty when the Law School opened in 1902, became a Cook County circuit court judge and helped establish guidelines for the recently established juvenile court. In close association with the Chicago Woman's Club and Hull House, he helped found the Juvenile Protection Association and Immigrants' Protective League and was active in other philanthropic endeavors. Ernst W. Puttkammer, a specialist in criminal law, wrote A Manual of Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure for Police (1931) for the Chicago Citizens' Police Committee and served for many years on the Chicago Crime Commission.

For over thirty years Law School students have participated in the Mandel Legal Aid Clinic, which assists indigent clients with cases and allows third-year students to make appearances in state courts. In addition to providing aid to those who cannot afford it, students prepare test cases on recurrent problems in areas such as utilities regulation, government benefits, children's rights, mental health, consumer advocacy, and employment discrimination.

From its beginnings as an undergraduate program, the University's school of business was transformed in the 1940s into a full graduate institution, which aimed to train scholars as well as skilled entrepreneurs. The Graduate School of Business expanded rapidly and became known for its emphasis on the basic disciplines underlying the business environment. Research and training in management, labor relations, finance, and marketing received sponsorship from Chicago-area firms.