Purdue News

October 30, 1998 Purdue announces search for management dean WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Dennis J. Weidenaar, dean of Purdue University's School of Management and Krannert Graduate School of Management since 1990, will leave the position June 30 to return to teaching and research. President Steven C. Beering has named a committee, chaired by School of Agriculture Dean Victor Lechtenberg and comprising 13 Purdue faculty, alumni and students, to conduct a national search for Weidenaar's successor. "I am deeply grateful that I have had the opportunity to serve as dean at a top-ranked, technologically advanced business school," Weidenaar said. "Krannert is recognized around the globe for its research and teaching. I have been fortunate to work with outstanding faculty and staff, as well as intelligent and highly motivated students. The enthusiastic trust and support of our alumni and many superb businesses and corporations also has been gratifying. I am very enthusiastic about the opportunities advanced teaching technologies present, and I want to cap my career with some good years in the classroom." Beering praised Weidenaar's leadership. "Dennis has carved out a special niche in business education," Beering said. "Thanks to him, corporations around the world recognize Purdue as the premier resource for executive leadership in industrial management." Robert L. Ringel, executive vice president for academic affairs, said Weidenaar's dedication to students has been a key factor in the school's high rankings. "He has a deep concern for the quality of teaching and student services at every level," Ringel said. "He has stressed the value of the total student experience, as well as the quality of curriculum. The end result has been outstanding performance on every front." Weidenaar, a professor of economics, joined the faculty at Krannert in 1966 and received his Ph.D. from the school in 1969. He was named dean on Jan. 1, 1990. He was instrumental in the creation of the Center for International Business Education and Research and the expansion of the Center for the Management of Manufacturing Enterprises. Both centers are teaching, research and service resources for faculty, students and corporations. The school's undergraduate, professional master's and executive education programs have consistently ranked in the top 25 American business schools in annual surveys conducted by national media. Recently, the master's program was ranked 24th overall and 10th in technology in Business Week. Weidenaar has won numerous teaching awards at Purdue and nationally, including the Standard Oil Award for Excellence in Teaching, the Parent's Association Grant for Improvement in Teaching, the Innovations in Helping Students Learn Award, the International Paper Co. Foundation Award in teaching economics, the Freedoms Foundation Leavey Award, the National Association of Economic Educators' and the Joint Council on Economic Education's Distinguished Service Award, and the 1988 George Washington Honor Medal for excellence in economic education. He is a member of Phi Delta Kappa and Beta Gamma Sigma, for which he also serves on the national board of governors. Weidenaar has directed many national economics institutes, including programs sponsored by the U.S. Office of Education and the National Science Foundation. He serves on the board of Lafayette Life Insurance Co. and the St. Elizabeth Hospital Medical Center Lay Advisory Board. Source: Dennis Weidenaar, (765) 494-4366; e-mail, weidend@mgmt.purdue.edu Writer: Joseph Bennett, (765) 494-2085; e-mail, joe_bennett@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page