Management, Marketing and Accounting Fill Department Head Posts

August 27, 2003 (ATLANTA) - Robinson College professors Irene M. Duhaime and Kenneth L. Bernhardt, have been named to head two of the College's academic departments. In addition, Associate Dean Jane Mutchler will return to her role as Director of the School of Accountancy. Duhaime, professor of management and Zwerner Chair for Entrepreneurship and Family Business, will chair the management department and Bernhardt, Taylor E. Little, Jr., professor of marketing and Regents Professor, will chair the marketing department. The announcement was made today by Dean Sidney E. Harris and is effective immediately.

Mutchler, who was recently appointed president of the American Accounting Association, is returning to a post she held for four years (1999-2003). She will remain in her role as associate dean for the remainder of the year.

According to Dean Harris, "Irene and Ken are skilled educators and outstanding leaders who have proven their dedication to the College. As department heads, they will play an integral role in helping the College maintain its position as one of the country's top business schools." Harris added, "Jane's contributions to the College are immeasurable and I have tremendous respect for her. As associate dean she has been working with the faculty to revitalize our masters program and will continue to lead that charge. Her commitment to both the accounting industry and the College will help the department build on its already stellar reputation."

Duhaime joined Robinson in 1998. Previously she was a professor of management in the Fogelman College of Business and Economics at The University of Memphis where she also served as associate dean for external relations. Prior to The University of Memphis, Duhaime served as associate professor of strategic management at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. She replaces Dr. Richard H. Deane who will continue to serve the College as a member of the management faculty.

Bernhardt has been a member of the faculty for over 30 years and served as department chair from 1989 - 1993. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Bernhardt has served as Consumer Research Advisor at the Federal Trade Commission and Chairman of the Board of the American Marketing Association. He has served as a consultant for a number of the country's leading companies and was a visiting faculty member at the Harvard Business School. He replaces Dr. Danny N. Bellenger who has served as department chair for the past ten years. Bellenger also assumes duties as a faculty member.

Mutchler, Ernst & Young-J.W. Holloway Memorial Alumni Professor, joined the College in 1999. Prior to Robinson, Mutchler was the Arthur Andersen Professor of Accounting at Pennsylvania State University and held positions at the University of Arizona and Ohio State University.
She takes over from Dr. William Messier who has been serving as the interim director for the School of Accountancy and will continue teaching in that department.

"I am extremely grateful to Richard, Danny and Bill for their service to the College and I look forward to their continued contributions," said Harris.

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 The J. Mack Robinson College of Business is one of the nation's top business schools.  The College's Flex (part-time) MBA program has been listed in the top ten by U.S. News for the past eight years and its undergraduate business program is ranked among the top 50 in the nation.  Business Week magazine ranked the College's Executive MBA program 20th in the world and Forbes rated Robinson in the top 20 for return on investment for regional schools.  Success Magazine ranks the College's entrepreneurship program among the top 50 in the nation.  Georgia State University's Robinson College of Business has an enrollment of more than 8000 students and is located in downtown Atlanta. 

For more information, contact:
Tammy Demel
Associate Director, Communications and External Affairs
J. Mack Robinson College of Business
Robinson College of Business
404/413-7078
404/702-9743 (cell)
tdemel@gsu.edu