UK Trustees Approve Blackwell as Gatton Dean

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 13, 2011) - David W. Blackwell, a recognized academic leader who also possesses broad experience in industry, developing corporate relationships, and fund raising today was approved by the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees  as the new dean of the University of Kentucky Gatton College of Business and Economics.  Currently associate dean for graduate programs at Texas A&M University's Mays Business School, Blackwell is expected to begin at UK during the spring 2012 semester.

Blackwell earned his bachelor's degree in economics and his doctoral degree in finance from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.   He has nine years of experience in academic leadership positions at Texas A&M, serving as head of the department of finance from July 2002 until January 2008, when he assumed his current role.  Blackwell previously held faculty positions at the University of Georgia, the University of Houston, and Emory University.  He also has served as a director for two major accounting firms, PricewaterhouseCoopers and KPMG.

"I am very excited and energized about becoming dean at the Gatton College," said the 52-year-old Blackwell.  "Gatton is a strong business school that is well positioned to raise its level of accomplishment and profile.  There is a solid foundation in the college with a gifted faculty.  And, the UK administration continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing and improving Gatton's position in spite of the currently challenging economic environment."

As associate dean at Texas A&M, Blackwell is responsible for the full-time MBA program at the main campus in College Station (150 students), the Executive MBA program in Houston (100 students), six specialized master's degree programs (550 students), and the school's Graduate Business Career Services.  Under his leadership, the Mays Business School's MBA programs consistently rank highly in national quality assessments done by a number of leading publications, including Financial Times, U.S. News and World Report, Bloomberg Businessweek, and The Wall Street Journal.

An author of numerous research publications and the co-author of two books, Blackwell also has a previous connection to the Commonwealth.  He graduated from Fort Campbell High School during the time his father was stationed there with the U.S. Army. 

"Dr. Blackwell has the right set of skills and experiences to move the Gatton College to an even higher level," said UK Provost Kumble R. Subbaswamy.  "He has been very entrepreneurial in finding support for his initiatives at Texas A&M.  This experience will serve Gatton's students, faculty, and all of its constituencies very well."

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