Lynne Richardson, dean of the Miller College of Business at Ball State University in Muncie, Ind., announced Tuesday that she has accepted the dean’s position for the College of Business and Industry at Mississippi State. She will finish up the semester at Ball State and begin working at MSU on Aug. 1.
Lou Capella, associate dean of the MSU College of Business and Industry said the search for a new dean began in August.
Interim dean Dan Hollingsworth has taken over the position until Richardson officially comes in.
Kevin Burke, director of communications at Ball State, said Richardson is anxious to take the new position at MSU.
“This is a new opportunity for her to get professional experience in her native South,” he said.
Richardson said the business dean job at MSU is a great professional opportunity for her and her family. She said she grew up in Alabama, so her return to the South will be like returning to her home.
“We are very excited,” she said. “This is a great opportunity on all levels.”
Richardson said she is planning to take her accomplishments and everything she has learned at Ball State and apply them to her new position at MSU.
Ray Montagno, associate dean of business at Ball State, said he has shared a close professional relationship with Richardson and has mixed emotions about her leaving to take the business dean job at MSU.
“I’m sad she’s leaving because we’ve had a close relationship, and we’ll all miss her here,” he said. “She will be difficult to replace.”
Montagno said Richardson’s duties at Ball State include everything from managing the operations of the college to developing a long-term vision. She also works closely with alumni of the Miller College of Business, he said.
Richardson is qualified for the dean of business position because of her strong communication skills and her sense of vision, Montagno said.
“Lynne has been an effective communicator because she conveys her messages well. All deans need to be good communicators,” he said. “She is also a hard worker. This job requires a lot of dedication and even courage.”
Montagno said Richardson’s biggest achievement during her six years at Ball State is rekindling the college of business’s relationship with the external community, which includes alumni. He said Richardson set up an advisory board to create linkage with the business community.
Richardson said she created more study abroad and internship opportunities for students during her time at Ball State. She also created a magazine for business alumni of the college.
Brien Smith, chair of the marketing and management department at the Miller College of Business at Ball State, said he has worked alongside Richardson since she began working at the school in 2001.
“On one side, we aren’t happy because we’ll miss her leadership and direction,” Smith said. “On a personal level, I’m happy because she’ll have the opportunity to grow and use her abilities at Mississippi State.”
Smith said Richardson played a huge part in solidifying the business community at Ball State. He said one thing the college was lacking was a team of executives to enhance its growth, and Richardson helped make that happen.
“I think that Mississippi State has made a great choice,” he said. “They are going to find out what a real jewel they have.”
Amy Winberry contributed to this article.