Exiting dean leaves legend at CSUB
Bakersfield Californian 1/31/07
Henry Lowenstein, dean of the School of Business and Public Administration, will assume a similar role at Coastal Carolina University in Conway, S.C..
He'll leave Bakersfield in late June. It's the right time to make a move, he said.
"Seven years is a long time to be a dean in one place," Lowenstein said Tuesday. "The average business dean in the U.S. serves about six years," adding the average in the California State University system is about 21/2 years.
He's proud of the results his faculty have accomplished and thankful for the Bakersfield business community's support.
When Lowenstein came to campus, the school had lost enrollment and was on probationary status with its accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
During his tenure, the school completed the AACSB accreditation process and the Business Development Center was built. He cultivated the school's Executive Advisory Council of community and business leaders.
Council member Sheryl Barbich of Barbich Consulting said Lowenstein's done an excellent job of raising the business school's profile.
"I think he's been very proactive," Barbich said.
A colleague said Lowenstein's departure isn't a surprise.
"When the university's priorities are misplaced, and the focus of the entire university is shifted exclusively to one area (athletics), then the university should expect key people on the academic side to leave," said Mike Bedell, a human resources professor and MBA program director.
Lowenstein declined to comment about Bedell's concerns but said the CSU system doesn't provide sufficient funding for higher education.
"The state is not funding competitively with what is going on with business in other states and it's a big problem. It's a problem more at the public policy level," he said.
Although budget issues at CSUB have changed spending guidelines, replacing Lowenstein has been deemed an essential search.
President Horace Mitchell said in a news release issued late Monday he's sad to see Lowenstein go.
But Mitchell added the timing of the resignation gives the campus the opportunity to conduct a search while Lowenstein's available to facilitate a smooth transition.