Date:
4/12/2005
Contact: Wendel Sloan at 505.562.2253
PORTALES — Dr. Lee Weyant, assistantprofessor of management at Eastern New Mexico University, has beennamed to replace Dr. Gerry Huybregts as dean of the College of Businesson June 1. Huybregts was dean for seven years.
Easternconducted an internal search for a candidate to replace Huybregts witha committee comprised of COB faculty members, a representative from theCOB Business Advisory Board, and a member from the Dean's Council.
"When I take over the position on June 1st, I plan to build on the foundation started
by Dr. Huybregts," says Weyant. The newly incoming dean believes thestrength of the COB has been the faculty. During Huybregts' tenure asdean, the faculty recruitment was based on hiring doctoral-qualifiedfaculty with work experience in
the private sector. "We will continue this legacy to provide thestudents with faculty resources that can teach the theory andpractical," says Weyant. "We will also continue the movement that isbeing made toward Web-based programs that Huybregts started during histime as dean."
Sincethere are advancements in technology in today's society, Weyant saysthat the COB curriculum needs to incorporate technologies like the useof Personal Data Assistant (PDAs), laptops, as well as Web-based classformats. "Thanks to Dr. Huybregts for building a strong program overthe last seven years, we will continue to build on that foundation anddeliver the curriculum to meet the needs of today's organizations,"said Weyant.
Weyant seesseveral challenges facing the COB. One immediate challenge is to fillthe two soon-to-be vacant department chair seats. "I will be looking tofill the department chair seat that I hold currently, as well as Dr.Jose Villarreal, who will be retiring," said Weyant. "I will have thosepositions filled before the end of the semester."
Anotherchallenge includes the preparation for reaffirmation of the college'sprofessional accreditation. Finally, Weyant sees the marketing of theundergraduate and graduate business programs as a major challenge. "Wehave a quality business education program at ENMU. My challenge is toget that story out to potential students," said Weyant.
Tomeet these challenges, Weyant plans on using his delegation-managementstyle. "I see my role has articulating a vision, and providing theresources to the college to achieve that vision," said Weyant.
Whenthe former Pennsylvanian first came to Portales and ENMU four yearsago, he didn't think he would be taking on his new position. "I neverthought about becoming dean so soon. It has kind of taken me bysurprise," said Weyant.