For the second time this summer, President John T. Casteen, III filled a vacancy for a dean position at the University. Last Monday, Casteen announced formerRobert Bruner as the new dean of the Darden School.
Casteen said he appointed Bruner based on the advice of a search committee.
"It was one of the most complex selections I have seen," Casteen said in reference to the competition for the position.
Bruner said he is very motivated in increasing Darden's national ranking. According to the last issue of Business Week magazine, the school stands at number 14.
Although the appointment of a dean by itself probably does not affect rankings, his or her performance over time usually determines them, Casteen said.
"I believe in the mission of the school and the strength of our community and the opportunities that we face," Bruner said.
He listed four elements of change to raise Darden's national ranking.
The first of which, Bruner said, is to implement initiatives that will promote the delivery of the best educational programs.
A second directive will reach out to a broader cross-section of the public and stakeholders.
"I also want to recruit faculty and staff to fill near term needs and lay the groundwork for long term success," he said.
Lastly, Bruner stated that he wishes to initiate a program of market-facing research that is relevant to practicing managers. He said he hopes that it will help establish the Darden School as a source of next-generation best practices in business.
Bruner grew up in Racine, Wisconsin. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University, and a M.B.A. and a D.B.A. from Harvard, according to Director of Media Relations at Darden, Beth Schmid.
Former Dean Robert Harris announced he would be stepping down from his post last year. According to Schmid, Harris did not want to start a commitment for a $3 billion campaign launched by Casteen that would last until 2011.
The second vacancy this year for a dean position is not unexpected.
"There are 10 deans altogether," Casteen said. "They serve five-year terms. Two appointments in a year is average."
According to Schmid, Bruner had outstanding credentials for the position. He taught mergers and acquisitions in the MBA program and various business projects including corporate finance and corporate transformation during his 23 years as a professor.
"The Darden committee is very delighted that he was selected as the dean of the school," she said.
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