Dean Mittelstaedt leaves lasting impact; Dr. Collier to serve as interim dean of SBA
Dean John D. Mittelstaedt of the School of Business Administration passed away Dec. 8, photo courtesy of Dignity Memorial.
Franchesca Hackworth
Online Editor-in-Chief
The University of Dayton lost one of its own Dec. 8 when School of Business Administration (SBA) Dean John D. Mittelstaedt died in hospice after a long battle with cancer.
Mittelstaedt built a remarkable career spending 20 years as an administrator, scholar, and teacher before coming to UD and strengthening the SBA and all that it has to offer.
In 2017 he was named Dean of SBA and led the school through the re-accreditation process with AACSB International, the oldest and most prestigious accreditation organization for business education in the world.
Additionally, he helped with the launch of new master’s programs, including the degrees in finance, professional accountancy, and business analytics, and MBA@Dayton — a hybrid online program.
He held a doctorate in marketing from the University of Iowa, a master’s degree in theological studies from Harvard Divinity School, and a bachelor’s degree in physics and religion from Saint Olaf College.
Mittelstaedt will be remembered for his ability to coordinate and bring outside funding from the Dayton Foundation for Flyer Investments to manage through the Davis Center, expanding the advising center, influencing the entrepreneurship program, serving on the inaugural board of directors of The Hub powered by PNC Bank, supporting the creation of the Greater West Dayton Incubator, and inspiring and helping to fundraise for the mico-loan program with a Marianist organization in Nairobi, Kenya (IMANI). All of Mittelstaedt’s accomplishments were noted by the university in an email to students Dec. 8.
It is clear that Mittelstaedt had a lasting impact on the SBA and the program’s success, but it should be noted that he also had a lasting impact on the students within those programs and the colleagues that walked among him.
“He carried himself with such poise and always held a smile on his face. He spoke about how UD was revitalizing the business experience by making improvements in curriculum and developing more top of the line experiential learning opportunities for students,” said Jack Crackel, a junior finance major at UD.
Crackel said hearing Mittelstaedt speak about the program is what solidified that UD was the right place for him.
“Dean Mittelstaedt was the true embodiment of what it meant to be a Dayton Flyer. He carried himself in such a matter that exuded community and kindness that rubbed off on the campus. He wanted every last one of the students to succeed in anything they wanted to pursue,” Crackel said.
Doctor Trevor C. Collier, Associate Professor in the Department of Economics and Finance, remembers Mittelsttaedt for his huge smile and his ability to connect with everyone on campus.
“John Mittelstaedt was uniquely qualified to be the dean of a business school at a Catholic, Marianist University,” Collier said.
“He fully embraced UD’s commitment to community and inclusivity. I think John’s biggest impact will be a greater connection between the UD School of Business and the greater Dayton community.”
Collier will begin serving as interim dean in the SBA Jan. 16, the university announced Wednesday.
Collier started as a faculty member in the department of economics in finance in 2007, attained tenure and became an associate professor, then served as department chair from 2013 to 2017.
He is involved in many initiatives at the university including the presidential search committee, chairing the athletics advisory committee, and collaborating with initiatives in the Hanley Sustainability Institute.
His appointment may extend until July 2022, depending on the timing of the appointment of the next dean following a competitive national search, according to University officials.
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