Kelley School professors react to announcement

As Kelley School of Business Dean, Dan Dalton, prepares to step down at the end of the semester, new leadership will be sorely needed to continue the level of prestige the school has come to be known for. \nWith its undergraduate program consistently ranked among the top ten in the nation and the MBA program also ranked among the top 25, Dalton's successor will be challenged with keeping the school in such high esteem, business professors said.\nLawrence Davidson, a professor of business economics and public policy said the direction of the school will be dictated by Dalton's replacement, particularly with regard to how the budget is handled. An interim dean will be announced before Dalton officially steps down June 20.\n"(The direction of the business school) depends upon who the new dean is," Davidson said. "A new dean may work effectively with the faculty. We've had our challenges with getting funding from the University, one challenge for the new dean is getting internal funding. Another type of dean would be an outside dean getting funds from the outside. We've spent a number of years using our funds to build a new building. Then there's other things that go by the wayside when that's going on."\nInternet Systems Chair in the Business School Alan Dennis said he has seen Dalton make a positive impact within the Kelley School, despite Dennis' relatively short tenure at IU.\n"I've noticed significant changes just in the four years I've been here," Dennis said. "The new building has been great for both students and teachers. We used to be very overcrowded and the classes really were not what they should be, at a top-20 business school. He's also managed to raise money for faculty research. He's had a significant impact."\nBruce Jaffee, a professor of business economics and former business school associate dean, said he would like to see some internationalization of the business school programs with the new dean.\n"I'd like to see a greater focus on international programs and even higher quality students in all of our academic areas," Jaffee said. "I also would like to see a greater national/international recognition of the quality of the school."\nDavidson said the relative lack of in-house funding has been a sore point for business school faculty. Despite the criticism, Jaffee said he is happy with Dalton's leadership during his tenure as dean, and foresees some big shoes to fill for Dalton's successor.\n"We've had eight years of really super and stable leadership," Jaffee said. "He's going to be a very difficult person to replace, but I don't see any major changes on the horizon in the direction"