August 22, 2005
Gregory White named interim business dean
White's appointment is subject to ratification by the SIU Board of Trustees. White begins his duties immediately.
He replaces Dan L. Worrell, who left SIUC this summer to become dean of the University of Arkansas' Sam Walton College of Business. The search for a permanent dean will begin in September and Dunn hopes to have the new dean on board by July 2006.
"Greg White is an excellent choice to lead the college during the transition period while we search for a new dean," Dunn said. "Dr. White is highly respected for his leadership, vision and commitment to the college and University. Participants in the interview process were uniformly positive in their assessment of Dr. White. I look forward to working with Greg and his colleagues as we continue to enhance a very well respected College of Business and Administration."
White, 57, joined the faculty as an assistant professor of management in 1978. He became an associate professor in 1982 and a professor in 2001. White became chair of the Department of Management in 2002, and served as interim director of the Pontikes Center for Management of
Information from 2000 to 2001. He also served as associate dean for the college from 1987 to 1991.
"I'm really excited," White said. "I think that Dan Worrell put us on a really good path during the time he was dean. He greatly improved the college and I am hoping to continue that same progress."
White is not a candidate for permanent dean. He will return as department chair once a permanent dean is in place.
White said a major priority is "doing everything we can to ensure that an excellent candidate is identified for the permanent dean position." White also wants to work on developing a strategic plan for the college, and continue work to ensure the college remains on schedule for re-accreditation from the International Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business in five years.
"We have an excellent College of Business and Administration and we are in an excellent University," White said. "Both of those factors should be strong drawing points for identifying a permanent dean."
Among his honors are the college's 2001 Researcher of the Year, and 1996 Outstanding Undergraduate Teacher of the Year.
Prior to coming to SIUC, White was an assistant professor in the management science department from 1976 to 1978 at Loyola University of Chicago, and an instructor in the university's management department from 1974 to 1976.
White earned his undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering, and master's and doctorate degree in business administration, all from the University of Cincinnati.
White and his wife, Pat, live in Cobden.
Providing for succession at every level of the University is among the goals of Southern at 150: Building Excellence Through Commitment, the blueprint for the development of the University by the time it celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2019.