Carl P. Zeithaml, dean of the Commerce School, recently unveiled a strategic move that will advance his dream of making the Commerce School No. 1 in the country.
He announced he will begin the planning phase of a multi-million dollar expansion to double the size of Monroe Hall, the school's home.
The planning stages of this expansion, which includes larger facilities and new technology, will be financed by a combined donation of $2 million from three Commerce graduates, John Griffin ('85), Shelby Bonnie ('86) and Jeff Walker ('77).
The project "allows for state of the art classrooms, enhanced technology and more space for faculty and students," Zeithaml said.
To further the pursuit of his goal of improving the Commerce School, which now is ranked No. 8 by U.S. News and World Report, Zeithaml is working with the Darden School, the graduate business school.
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The Commerce and Darden schools "have been cooperating on several fronts and have been doing more together. We share the same technology platform and the same chief technology officer. We also work together to recruit the best faculty possible," Darden School Dean Ted Snyder said.
Zeithaml's plan involves constructing a new building adjacent to Monroe Hall and the expansion and renovation of the existing Monroe Hall.
Zeithaml said, however, that the project will require an additional $35-40 million during the next 18 months before groundbreaking can begin.
Beginning the ambitious project, Zeithaml said, would not have been possible without the largesse of Griffin, Bonnie and Walker.
The renovation and expansion project is part of Zeithaml's larger vision to make the Commerce School America's preeminent undergraduate business school.
"Zeithaml is a first-rate business school dean. He's energetic, creative, persistent and a strong manager. McIntire already has a superb program and a legitimate shot at reaching that status," Snyder said.
On the ambitious goal, he remarked, "You don't get to be No. 1 with modest aspirations."
The new building is essential to move up in rankings because it means a better learning and teaching environment, as well as increased access to technology for students, Zeithaml said.
"An emphasis on technology is an integral part of the Commerce School," he said. "I wanted to produce a curriculum that was the best imaginable."
He said a visiting banker once told him that the Bridge Center - the Commerce School's wired trading floor - is "not as good as some Wall Street trading floor - it's better."
That praise shows the efficacy of the Commerce School's mission to graduate students who immediately will add value to the workplace.
Nevertheless, space, technology and equipment only facilitate the teaching and learning processes.
An outstanding curriculum must be in place before integrating technology becomes valuable, Zeithaml said.
"And that starts with the commitment to excellence of our distinguished faculty," he said.
Faculty and staff are the force behind any successful project, and Zeithaml is adamant that the credit for the school's superior curriculum belongs with them.
One of the faculty's unique qualities is its success with the Integrated Core Experience (ICE) for third-year Commerce students. It entails a curriculum written and taught by a team of professors who integrate their otherwise separate subjects into one rigorous program. It provides a fine base upon which students build concentrations in their fourth year.
"ICE is on the level of an MBA program," third-year Commerce Student Ginny Turner said.
Zeithaml's conscientious regard for students is a large part of the program's success, Turner said. "He has an amazing presence with students - always having lunches with students, sponsoring receptions with them or asking their opinion on their classes in the hallway after calling them by name."
ICE emphasizes leadership, and the faculty supplements with in-person lectures from leading business practitioners who team-teach on a regular basis or who videoconference with Commerce students from their offices in different parts of the country.
Commerce Council President Amanda Richardson called Zeithaml's progress amazing.
"McIntire is a wonderful place, and with Dean Zeithaml's new ideas, drive and leadership, it will be nothing but number one," Richardson said.
Just as intriguing as the ever-improving Commerce School program is the energetic man who envisions it at the top in just a few years.
With an MBA from the University of Florida and a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland, Zeithaml initially was drawn to strategic management of the health care industry. But Zeithaml said he was "quickly seduced by the academic life."
He discovered academia was his niche while teaching at Texas A&M and the University of North Carolina. At UNC he held several leadership positions in the Kenan-Flagler Business School, even acting as senior associate dean and interim dean at the same time.
"Needless to say, it was a real baptism by fire," Zeithaml said of holding both positions at the same time.
Zeithaml said he thinks he emerged from the jobs with greater experience. He was drawn to Charlottesville because of the prestige and educational philosophy of the University. "After all, it is the premiere public University in the country," he said.
But there is more to it than that. "It is the quality of U.Va.'s educational model that distinguishes it from other schools," Zeithaml added. "I'm drawn to its character and its culture."
In fact, hardly a day goes by that he does not walk the Lawn, reminding himself of the principles upon which the University was founded.
To make each day the best that it can be, the vigorous dean begins every morning at 5:15 a.m. He finds himself working at home until it is time to drop his children off at school, and he arrives on Grounds at 8:15.
While Zeithaml likes variety in the work he does, he finds there is a degree of fragmentation to his day. "Lots of meetings, different topics, tons of phone calls. It's the nature of managerial work," he said.
For an efficient task manager and problem solver, Zeithaml describes himself as somewhat impatient. "I want to make it work now," he said.
But he said he mitigates the temptation to react instinctively to problems by thinking them through for at least 24 hours before arriving at his solution. As an innovator, making careful and well-planned decisions is imperative, as is intense evaluation of the final product.
"He is a genuine problem solver. He helps his faculty develop into the best they can be, and he's there when faculty need him," Commerce Prof. Mary Hamilton said.
Zeithaml said when it comes to others he respects hard work and motivation. And he sees it in his faculty and students. He finds that students are "very constructive." Furthermore, the selection process "draws students with motivation and responsibility - leaders."
After graduation, these students will be able to add something to the workplace, Zeithaml said. "They listen, want to learn and are mature and constructive.
The driven dean said he enjoys his work a great deal.
He imagines what it is like to lead varying organizations. "I would love to experience and learn from the issues and problems that face leaders of other enterprises - anyone from professional coaches to U.N. officials."
For now, the dean remains committed to making the Commerce School the best in the country.
As Zeithaml's vision for the Commerce School materializes, he is busier than ever. But for a man who describes himself as motivated but impatient, he always seems to find time for family. He enjoys coaching soccer and playing touch football with his family.
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