February 17, 2005
Business dean search continues
Five months after the Business School launched a search for its new leader, the search committee continues to evaluate candidates and officials say the school remains on track for having a permanent dean in place by fall.
And while the search was narrowed to four candidates who were interviewed by University administrators in recent weeks, UW President Mark Emmert decided to continue the search process.
In announcing his decision before Business School advisory board members recently, Emmert said that he’d rather invest a little more time and be absolutely certain that “the right person who fits us well and is inspired by us is chosen.”
Emmert said, “We’re very fortunate during this transitional period that the school is moving along just fine. Dave Burgstahler has agreed to continue serving as acting dean during the extended search and I have tremendous confidence in him, and in the leadership of the Business School, as we move forward to find a permanent dean. The school is doing everything right, so we have the capability to be more deliberate and selective in our search.”
Sandra Archibald, chair of the nine-member search committee and dean of the Evans School of Public Affairs, has been screening potential deans with help from Baker-Parker, an Atlanta-based executive search firm.
“Our enthusiastic committee members are continuing to identify top scholars and business leaders regionally and nationally,” she said. “With such a strong group of candidates from which to choose, it’s more a matter of identifying the job for the right candidate than the right candidate for the job.”
Dan Baker, recruiter with Baker-Parker, said that among the top 100 business schools in the nation, there are currently about 12 to 16 open deanships. The UW Business School’s undergraduate and graduate programs are ranked 25th and 27th respectively.
