For release: March 21, 2013
News and Media
Relations contact: Jimmy Hart, 615-898-5131 or Jimmy.Hart@mtsu.edu
Second MTSU contact: Dr.
Brad Bartel, 615-898-2183
MURFREESBORO — Dr.
David J. Urban will be the next dean of the Jennings A. Jones College of
Business at Middle Tennessee State University, the school announced Thursday.
Urban, who is currently executive associate dean and a
marketing professor at the School of Business at Virginia Commonwealth
University in Richmond, Va., was chosen from among three finalists brought to campus
for interviews. Those finalists were picked from 54 initial applicants in a
search process that began in early November 2012.
Jim Burton, dean of the college for 13 years, will step down
as dean on June 30. He will remain with the college in an emeritus role.
Urban, who starts on July 1, comes to MTSU after serving in
various roles at VCU’s School of Business, in his current role since 2010 and
before that as interim business dean and chair of the Department of Marketing.
He thinks the similarities between the schools — large, public universities
with diverse student bodies in growing regions — will make the transition
smoother.
“I’m very excited. I think this opportunity is a great fit
for me personally,” Urban, 57, said. “I’m extremely impressed with everyone I
have met and worked with so far at MTSU and the Jones College.
“MTSU is widely recognized as a major university that is ‘on
the move.’ It is located in the middle of a thriving area of the state. I have
had significant experience working with businesses and with state and local
government entities in economic development and marketing. I also have a track
record of furthering international and cross-disciplinary partnerships. MTSU
and the Jones College provide an ideal setting for me to continue to lead these
types of efforts.”
An executive firm was hired to help with the application
process, then an 18-member search committee chaired by MTSU alumnus Paul W.
Martin Jr. narrowed the applicants down to the three finalists.
Urban takes the helm of a business program that boasts more than
125 full-time faculty, more than 3,000 undergraduate majors and more than 500
graduate students.
“Dr. Urban understands the important role that the Jones College plays
in support of business and economic development in our region and state,” MTSU
President Sidney A. McPhee said. “His experience and vision will allow us to build upon our
successes and grow the college’s legacy of scholarship and service. He has a proven
track record of developing strategic partnerships with businesses.”
Before making the decision, McPhee and Provost Brad Bartel
accepted feedback from those in the university community who met with the
finalists or attended public forums on campus.
“MTSU is excited to have Dr. Urban join us as Dean of the
Jennings A. Jones College of Business,” Bartel said. “He has the experience,
administrative skills and vision to lead the College to new heights of
curricular innovation, increased private-public partnerships, and even higher
quality and reputation.”
About MTSU
Founded in 1911 as
one of three state normal schools for teacher training, MTSU is now the oldest
and largest public university in Middle Tennessee. With an enrollment of more
than 25,000 students, MTSU is the largest undergraduate university in
Tennessee.
MTSU remains
committed to providing individualized service in an exciting and nurturing
atmosphere where student success is the top priority. With a wide variety of
nationally recognized academic degree programs at the baccalaureate, master's
and doctoral levels, MTSU takes pride in educating the best and the brightest
students from Tennessee and around the world.
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MTSU is committed to
developing a community devoted to learning, growth, and service. We hold these
values dear, and there’s a simple phrase that conveys them: “I am True
Blue.” Learn more at www.mtsu.edu/trueblue.
For MTSU news anytime, visit www.MTSUNews.com.
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