Members of the 2012 School of Business Dean’s Advisory Board are, from left, Diane Cooper-Currier, Dean Richard Skolnik, Michael Durney ’83, John Wooley ’78, Patrick Murphy ’74, Jeff Gibbs ’80, Jocelyn Sokolski Egan ’84, Jeff Grimshaw, Kevin Bryans ’89, Tom Schneider, Greg Suarez ’09 and Curt Schultzberg ’87. Absent from the photo are: Joe Chemotti ’90, Russ Findlay ’89, Tracy Chamberlain Higginbotham ’86, Matt Jenal ’78, Matt Labovich ’94, Michael Lisson ’94, Michael Paez ’80, Bob Pagano ’84, Lisa Tamilia ’89, Tim Thomas ’04, Mary Krakowiak Vanouse ’78 and Jackie Wilbur ’82.

Patrick Murphy ’74, the first chair of the advisory board, said the group “holds a lot of passion for the school.”

He praised the board’s work over the years, especially in the first AACSB accreditation process and the work to upgrade Rich Hall as the School of Business. “There was a dedicated campaign by the advisory board to create engagement and high levels of support and involvement,” Murphy said.

Current Advisory Board Chair Michael Durney ’83 agreed that the philanthropic contributions of alumni elevated the Rich Hall project from a building to enhancing the school.

“We put our stamp on the School of Business, giving it a home,” he said.

He is proud of alumni involvement in mentoring students, participating in the School of Business Alumni Symposium and speaking in classes, and hopes the board can foster more such
involvement in the future.

“I would like to find ways to enhance the preparedness of students whether by mentoring or classroom participation,” he added.

“The strength of the alumni network and where our people ended up — from a success standpoint — is a real testament to the school,” Durney said.