Bryan College announced a historic milestone for its Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.) program. Dr. David Willson has become the first student to successfully defend his dissertation and complete the program, marking a significant achievement for both Dr. Willson and the college.
His dissertation, titled “An Economic Analysis of Olympic Hosting Costs,” explores the financial impact of hosting the Olympic Games—a timely and relevant topic in the field of global business and economics. Dr. Willson began his journey at Bryan College as a student-athlete in 1990. Now, more than 30 years later, he has returned to make history as the program's inaugural graduate.
Bryan College extends its gratitude to Dr. Adina Scruggs, who chaired Dr. Willson’s dissertation committee, and to committee members Dr. David Barnes and Rev. Canon Dr. Ashley Null for their dedicated mentorship and guidance.
“This is a meaningful moment not just for Dr. Willson, but for Bryan College,” said Dr. Scruggs. “His work reflects the kind of scholarly excellence we envisioned when we launched the D.B.A. program. We're excited to see how future students build on this foundation—bringing innovation, research, and a Christ-centered perspective to the world of business and academia.”
The D.B.A. program at Bryan College is designed for experienced professionals and aspiring academics who want to gain advanced business knowledge and credentials beyond the MBA level. This 60-credit-hour program can be completed in as little as three years and features:
• 8-week accelerated online classes
• Research and dissertation development with an oral defense
• Instruction rooted in a Christian worldview
• Faculty who are subject matter experts
• Academic Support through coursework and research
• Opportunities to learn how to teach at the college level
Students may transfer up to 15 graduate business credits and complete 45 additional hours in advanced business coursework, including dissertation research and writing. For students without the 15 transferable credits, prerequisite business courses are available online through Bryan’s graduate offerings.