The appointment of Dr. Szymanski culminates an aggressive and successful national search that began six months ago, says UC Sr. Vice President and Provost Anthony J. Perzigian of Szymanski, who comes to UC from Texas A&M University. Both the search committee and the colleges Business Advisory Council saw in Dr. Szymanski the ideal blend of academic strengths and leadership qualities necessary to advance the mission and standing of the College of Business.
"U.S. News & World Report" ranked UCs College of Business full-time MBA program 71st and part-time MBA program 83rd. Bloomberg "BusinessWeek" ranked UCs undergraduate business programs among the top 100 in the country for 2009.
Szymanski has held senior administrative and faculty positions at Texas A&M University since 1987. He was the J.C. Penney Chair of Retailing Studies and served as director of the Center for Retailing Studies at Texas A&M for six years. He also serves on the board of directors for OfficeMax Incorporated.
The search committee, chaired by Carlo Montemagno, dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Science, was impressed with Szymanskis academic and professional background.
"The search committee is pleased that David Szymanski will be joining us," says Montemagno. "His selection was the result of an exacting search including seven sitting deans. David rose distinctly above the rest. I believe he has the vision and leadership to take the UC College of Business decisively to the next level."
Szymanski's work as director of the Center for Retailing Studies and board positions with multiple major corporations have shown his dedication to the business community and commitment to business education.
As a graduate of the college and a former vice president of Business Affairs at UC, I couldnt be more pleased with the universitys selection of Dr. Szymanski as its dean of the UC College of Business, says Mike Ullman, chairman and CEO of J.C. Penney Corporation. Dr. Szymanskis time spent as the J.C. Penney Chair of Retailing Studies at Texas A&M University yielded impressive and thought-provoking research and demonstrated his commitment to engaging the business community for the betterment of the school. He will make a strong addition to the many renowned deans and academic leaders from the University of Cincinnati. The UC College of Business is fortunate to have Dr. Szymanski join their school.