By: Jody Fisher
June 23, 2003
Jamaica, NY - St. John's University has announced that Richard A. Highfield, Dean of the School of Business at the University at Albany, SUNY, has been named as the next Dean of the Peter J. Tobin College of Business. Dr. Highfield will begin his tenure at St. John's in Fall 2003, replacing Peter J. Tobin, who will transition to his new role as a Special Assistant to the President.
"We are delighted to have Richard taking the reins of the College of Business," said Rev. Donald J. Harrington, C.M., President, St. John's University. "His vast experience as an academic leader and seasoned businessman will contribute tremendously to the continued growth of our College of Business and its students and faculty. We welcome Richard and look forward to his helping lead us to even greater heights."
As Dean, Dr. Highfield will be the academic leader of the College of Business, responsible for all academic components of the College and for decisions regarding faculty recruitment and development, resource allocation and facilities. He will also enhance the College's development activities and outreach efforts with local law, business and community leaders.
"I am thrilled to have been chosen as the next Dean of St. John's University's Tobin College of Business," said Dr. Highfield. "St. John's and the Tobin College embrace the values that I cherish. I look forward to the opportunity to lead the College in these challenging times."
Richard A. Highfield became dean of the University at Albany School of Business on August 1, 1999. He was formerly associate dean at Cornell University's Johnson Graduate School of Management and had been on the Cornell faculty since 1985. A graduate of Stanford University, Dean Highfield holds a MBA degree from Santa Clara University and a Ph.D. in econometrics and economics from the University of Chicago. His academic research has been in the areas of monetary economics and business forecasting. He has served on the executive board of the MBA Enterprise Corps, which placed MBA graduates in Peace-Corps-like assignments in locally controlled businesses in emerging market economies, and also on the board of Student Agencies, Inc., the country's oldest student-run corporation. He currently serves on the board of Junior Achievement of Northeastern New York, the executive board of the Capital Region Chapter of the American Marketing Association, and sings tenor with Albany Pro Musica. Dean Highfield is the host of the weekly television show "Business Matters." The show airs each Sunday at 11:00am on WRGB, Channel 6, Schenectady (CBS affiliate).
For more information, please contact Jody Fisher, Director of Media Relations, at (718) 990-6185 or at fisherjo@stjohns.edu.