Al Niemi stepping down as SMU's Cox Business School dean

[smupony94]

http://www.dallasnews.com/business/head ... -years.ece

[gostangs]

Al's been great for SMU. He should be proud of what he helped to build

It is not an exaggeration to say that the hiring of a new Cox Dean is the biggest hire SMU will make since Turner. The most important school at SMU needs fresh leadership that will relentlessly pursue new corporate relationships all over this region. Cox is the way to get us in the top tier - basically the only way. We need a dynamo.

[smupony94]

Kevin Knox for Dean

[LA_Mustang]

It is not an exaggeration to say that the hiring of a new Cox Dean is the biggest hire SMU will make since Turner. The most important school at SMU needs fresh leadership that will relentlessly pursue new corporate relationships all over this region. Cox is the way to get us in the top tier - basically the only way. We need a dynamo.

Yes.

[SoCal_Pony]

It is not an exaggeration to say that the hiring of a new Cox Dean is the biggest hire SMU will make since Turner. The most important school at SMU needs fresh leadership that will relentlessly pursue new corporate relationships all over this region. Cox is the way to get us in the top tier - basically the only way. We need a dynamo.

Yes.

as a Cox alum, I agree. Biggest hire since Turner.

[tristatecoog]

Hope the new dean focuses on rankings as much as $$.

[StangGang]

Big if true.

[CalallenStang]

Niemi did a great job for many years but his successor will have his work cut out for him.

Other than the (cannot be called new anymore) Collins building and the renovated BIC, the Cox school feels dated by today's business school standards. We are competing for the best students against schools that have invested multiple millions into facilities in recent years. In addition to renovations, the lack of a PhD program keeps some research-oriented professors from joining the SMU staff. And we could always used more endowed positions. All this in an economic climate where our wealthy oil alums aren't as wealthy as they are used to being.

Let's hope we hit a home run.

[CoxMustangFan]

Kevin Knox for Dean

Since the Dean and Kevin have been a package, I just hope the new Dean can hold on to Kevin. Big hire for SMU.

[tristatecoog]

Heard that Niemi wanted to retire last year but was asked to stay on an extra year due to the provost search and conclusion of the centennial campaign. I liked that two year period when Cox MBA was ranked #12 in Business Week.

[Mustangs_Maroons]

It was long overdue. I'm skeptical of turner bringing a dean we need (and could get) to take us to a truly national level and on par with UT. There is no reason we shouldn't be. But I fear he'll bring niemi #2.

[gostangs]

We need someone dynamic who will spend tons of time developing relationships with Texas businesses. Three is not time to teach a class if you are trying to become and run a top twenty business school.

[smupony94]

AAdvantage mile guru made a point to help SMU loyalty studies with $10M gift
http://www.dallasnews.com/business/pers ... m-gift.ece

[mrydel]

How about the Cox School of Business IPF?

[Pony81]

This gift from Brieley is a big deal. It positions SMU to build a world class institute in an important field which serves many large companies in our area (ATT, PepsiCo , Toyota, AA). This will give SMU a product to sell to these companies in the form of interns, employees, and consulting.

This is unique amoung B Schools.