The College of Business is getting a new dean in August.
Dennis Coates has served as dean of the College of Business since 2006, according to an email sent to FAU students by Provost Brenda Claiborne. During Coates’ term, the college with the highest enrollment was named one of the best business schools by the Princeton Review three years in a row and ranked in the “Top 50 Business Schools for Entrepreneurs” by Success magazine.
Coates is leaving the College of Business on amiable terms, according to Claiborne’s email.
“His efforts and talents have been immeasurably appreciated by his colleagues, students and friends at the University,” Claiborne’s email reads. “We wish him well in the future.”
Why Coates is stepping down now is not yet known, but an interim dean will be appointed soon.
Here’s the email in its entirety:
To the University Community:
Dr. J. Dennis Coates, who has served as dean of the College of Business since 2006, will be stepping down as dean in August. He has been a cherished member of the Florida Atlantic University family since 1989, when he started as an assistant professor of accounting and rose through the ranks. Eventually, he was named senior associate dean in 1996 and served as interim dean for more than a year.
Under Dean Coates’ dedicated leadership, the College of Business underwent substantial development, being named one of the “Best Business Schools” by The Princeton Reviewfor three years in a row, as well as one of America’s “Top 50 Business Schools for Entrepreneurs” by Success magazine. The School of Accounting has consistently ranked in the top 10 nationally for its graduates’ very high passing rate on the National CPA exam throughout his tenure.
While overseeing the highest enrollment of FAU’s colleges, Dean Coates also led the establishment of a number of innovative private-public partnerships that benefited students in extraordinary ways. In 2008, through two generous gifts from Office Depot totaling more than $2.8 million, the Office Depot Center for Executive Education opened, providing a new home for the College’s offerings in executive education, training and research. Additionally, Dean Coates has partnered with several other Colleges and disciplines to ensure that FAU’s students are provided access to the practical knowledge and skills that they need to thrive in the private sector.
His efforts and talents have been immeasurably appreciated by his colleagues, students and friends at the University. We wish him well in the future. An interim dean will soon be appointed according to established policies.
Brenda J. Claiborne
Provost and Chief Academic Officer
The UP will keep you updated as more information becomes available.
