College of Business nationally ranked

The University of Southern Mississippi is once again receiving national attention for being ranked in a U.S. magazine. U.S. News and World Report ranked USM’s undergraduate business program in the Top-200 list, the first time in USM’s history.

The news comes shortly after another ranking by Washington Monthly, which listed Southern Miss as No. 69 in the nation’s top universities.

This college ranking was based by surveys, which were disbursed to deans and senior faculty members at all undergraduate business programs that are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). The surveys were distributed to participants in spring 2012. Of the 655 business schools accredited by AACSB, Southern Miss came in at No. 199.

Participants were asked to rate the quality of all programs they were familiar with on a scale from 1 (marginal) to 5 (distinguished), according the U.S. News and World Report. Only 40 percent of those surveyed responded.

In a news release by University Communications, Interim Dean of the College of Business Joseph Peyrefitte said, “We are honored that the hard work of our faculty and staff has been recognized yet again by the deans and faculty of AACSB-accredited business schools. Our placement in the rankings is a testament to the confidence of our peers in the quality of our programs and our commitment to continuous improvement.”

Thomas Barton, a senior business management major, said this recognition has helped the university, faculty and students.

“This is fantastic for the university,” Barton said. “I’m particularly excited about it because it will help my career. My degree will have more stature.” 

The College of Business was ranked during an exciting period for the program. The department recently selected a committee to find the next dean of the college, and officials broke ground on the new business building in July, which is projected to be complete in 2014.

In an email released to all faculty and staff on Monday, USM Provost Denis Wiesenburg said his office has been building a search committee to “identify members of the university and business community who can provide us with the best guidance possible as we undertake this important search.”

The committee is comprised of 12 members, including chair of the search committee and Dean of the Honors College David Davies. The committee will conduct all aspects of the search, including advertisement of the position, review of applicants, initial interviews, campus interviews and recommendation of preferred candidates to the provost. Appointment of the new dean will be effective July 1, 2013.

“Finding the right leader for our College of Business is critical to the continued advancement of our business degree programs at the University of Southern Mississippi,” Wiesenburg said. “We have established an outstanding search committee with broad experience and knowledge that will lead to a highly successful search for the dean of the College of Business.”

The College of Business includes five departments: School of Accountancy; Department of Management and Fashion Merchandising; Department of Finance, Real Estate and Business Law; Department of Management and International Business and Department of Casino, Hospitality and Tourism Management.