Transition steering committee named as Hummels, who led business school to new heights, announces plans to step down

David Hummels, the Dr. Samuel R. Allen Dean of the Krannert School of Management and Distinguished Professor of Economics, has announced his intention to step down in July 2023 after serving in the position since 2014.

“David first brought our business school stability and trusted leadership, and then a record of growth and strengthened reputation,” Purdue President Mitch Daniels said. “We are poised for a great new era because of the path he set, and all Boilermakers have cause to be grateful for his nine years of excellent service.”

The Purdue University Board of Trustees also announced the creation of a Transition Steering Committee that will lead the reimagination of the Purdue School of Business, including the hiring of a new leader. The university announced in September that the School of Management would be relaunched as a new School of Business that will redefine the preparation of business leaders for a technology-driven world.

“It has been a privilege to lead this talented group of professionals, and I am grateful to faculty, students, alumni and staff who have contributed so much to our success,” Hummels said. “I am thrilled with the commitments that the board of trustees and donors have made to elevate us even further. As the school embraces a new vision, I have agreed that now is the right time to allow someone new to carry that forward. I am excited to return to the teaching and research that mean so much to me.”

The Transition Steering Committee will be co-chaired by Gary Lehman, vice chair of the Purdue University Board of Trustees, and Kevin Mumford, the Kozuch Director of the Purdue University Research Center in Economics and an associate professor of economics. In addition to the two chairs, the Transition Steering Committee will include faculty, trustees, prominent alumni and thought leaders from outside Purdue, who will be named at a later date.

The Transition Steering Committee will have three initial assignments:

1. Lead the search for Hummels’ successor.
2. Work with Hummels and faculty and staff to recommend to the trustees a design for the departmental structure of the new school as well as its faculty leadership.
3. Ensure the implementation of the differentiating design features of the new school as conceived by the board and as promoted to donors.

Purdue is targeting Fall 2023 for its first phase of enhancements, involving student enrollment growth and the addition of targeted faculty as well as curricular and experiential education additions. Hummels will continue to lead the school toward those milestones until his replacement is named.