Strong Leadership Continues Through Change

On October 1, 2012, I will be assuming a new position as Dean of the College of Business at Florida International University—a large state research university in Miami.   On that same day, Dr. Eric Jack will assume the responsibilities as Interim Dean of the UAB School of Business.  Often a decision to make a career change is driven by significant professional opportunities or by important family/personal options.  My decision to join FIU was a factor of both incentives.   FIU is a highly respected, rapidly growing place of world-class and global-based education and research.  On the personal side, my granddaughter and her parents live in Florida, and I look forward to being closer to them.  However, I have sadness in leaving UAB, as this is an exceptional place of research, teaching and community service.  The UAB School of Business is fully engaged in the many special missions of UAB, especially in the missions of cross-discipline academic programs/research and the commercialization of the life-changing intellectual property generated by the great minds of UAB. 

My joy is the knowledge that the continuing leadership of UAB and its School of Business will continue to lift the School to even greater productivity in student learning/career options and entrepreneurial activities impacting the economic growth of the region.  I am especially proud of the talent, focus, and kindness of Dr. Eric Jack and Dr. Karen Kennedy, the associate deans of the School for the last 4 ½ years.  They have been true partners in leadership.  They have been critical participants in our growth and transition to campus-wide and community engagement. Their efforts in student growth have been essential in generating the funding to support the hiring of 28 new world-class, teacher-scholars and to expand our support for cross-discipline research and programs.  I also have joy in the quality of the three department chairs – Drs. Molly Wasko, Bob Robicheaux, and Lary Cowart – as each can take pride in the growth of quality programs in their departments, driven by ongoing support of faculty and staff and the hiring of new teacher-scholars.  And most critically, the more than 65 faculty and staff members are mission-focused professionals who individually and collectively are servant leaders of student learning, and contributors to the life-changing discovery/research that defines UAB. 

Thanks to the continuous, outpouring support from alumni and community leaders, and the many exceptional accomplishments of our faculty, students and alumni, I depart from UAB knowing that the School of Business is thriving and excelling to new heights of recognition for high-quality business education!