By Jocelyn Visnov, Senior Writer
Don Gibson will be leaving the college after serving as Dean of the O’Malley School of Business since 2018. Gibson will remain in the position until the end of this semester before taking on a new role as Dean of Business and Economics at Saint Mary’s College in his home state of California.
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Gibson explained that his decision to leave the college was largely due to personal reasons and a desire to seek new professional opportunities.
“The Dean role is very busy,” he said in an interview with The Quadrangle. “I thought about what’s called ‘stepping down’ and becoming a faculty member. But I explored some opportunities in terms of being a Dean and decided to continue in that role. I think it’s a good chance for the school to develop some new leadership. Then for personal reasons – I grew up in California and had a desire to return.”
Gibson also noted that his decision to leave has nothing to do with current difficulties the college is facing.
“I had planned to step down during this timeframe for the last couple of years,” Gibson said. “It [the decision to leave] was not in response, in particular to what’s going on in the college. Now, I think the college is going to work through some very difficult times that are confronting all of higher education. But I think the leadership has made the right moves to address the situation. So this has been part of my plan. I think the school is very strong, and we’ll continue on the trajectory that we’ve been working on.”
The search for a new Dean will be initiated by interim Provost Rani Roy. No information on a search committee for the new Dean has been shared at this time.
During his time serving as Dean, Gibson has made a number of significant contributions to the O’Malley School of Business, which were outlined in an email from the provost. These contributions have included overseeing major renovations to De La Salle Hall, launching an online version of the MBA program, the creation of a new CEO Insights lecture series and the Passport points program.
Gibson has also encouraged participation through business related clubs and aided in the development of several new minors and concentrations including sports management and insurance, real estate and risk management.
Kathleen Connelly, a senior marketing major and member of the Dean’s Advisory Board within the School of Business, explained how Gibson was always very attentive to the suggestions and concerns of business students.
“As someone that worked with him [Gibson] on the advisory board, he just listens and you definitely feel heard,” Connelly said. “He wants suggestions and he truthfully considers everything and has implemented a lot of it into the coming semesters.”
In an email to business students, Gibson expressed his admiration for the students of the Jasper community.
“I have enjoyed working with you in creating and sustaining our unique community,” the email read. “You are what animates these hallways and classrooms and clubs and events and truly represent Jasper pride to the rest of the world. Your energy and passion are what give me the motivation I have for leading great schools like this one and constantly working to make it better.”