A faculty member with 45 years of service will become interim dean of the School of Business. Dr. John Rich will assume the role July 1.
Rich, professor of accounting and current associate dean in the School of Business, is Emporia State’s longest-serving faculty member. During his tenure, Rich has served as chair of the Division of Accounting and Computer Information Systems and acting assistant vice president for academic affairs. He also served as coordinator for the AACSB International accreditation project and self-evaluation, which resulted in the school’s accreditation in 2002.
He joined the Emporia State faculty in 1968 as an instructor, was drafted in 1969 then returned in 1971 as assistant professor. He has seen the university’s business curriculum evolve from a single department into the School of Business, which was created in 1983 and offers undergraduate degrees in seven areas as well as master’s degrees in accountancy, business administration with three concentrations and business education as well as a fully online MBA.
Named a 2014 Icon of Education by Ingram’s Magazine in Kansas City, Rich is well-known for his support of programs across campus. In 2013, Rich concluded 23 years as Emporia State’s Faculty Athletics Representative, during which time he served a term as president of the MIAA Conference. He also is co-chair of Now & Forever: The Campaign for Emporia State University, which was launched in 2013 and has raised $36.39 million, or 80 percent, of its $45 million goal.
During the university’s celebration of its sesquicentennial in 2013, Rich led an academic affairs committee that created Buzz Around, a series of open houses and activities across campus in conjunction with Family Weekend. The event is now in its third year of planning.
Rich previously served as interim dean in 2012-13 before Dr. Kristie Ogilvie was named dean. Ogilvie last week accepted a position at Meredith College. Rich will serve as interim dean while a national search is launched to find Ogilvie’s replacement.