After 25 years of academic service, College of Business and Economics Dean Joseph Domitrz has announced his intention to retire from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Domitrz is expected to step down as dean effective July 1, but plans to continue teaching through the spring semester of 2002.
The announcement came shortly after a decision was reached by the university, headed by first-year chancellor, Jack Miller, to build a new Business and Economics building, which will cost approximately $30 million, requiring a $5.5 million match from the private sector, according to sources.
Domitrz’s decision to step down as dean was originally planned for 2002, but, he said, due to the announcement of building plans for the proposed three-year project, the decision was made to step down this year instead. When asked about the early concession, Domitrz stated, “Let’s put it this way: if I would’ve had my preference, I would’ve preferred to have stayed on one more year and then retire from the deanship.”
In a written statement provided to Small Business Times, Domitrz said, “The chancellor has proposed a new business building as one of his highest priorities … Chancellor Miller has stated he expects the [new] dean to commit to raising the funds during the next three years. It has been my plan to retire at the end of the 2001-2002 academic year. As a result, Chancellor Miller has decided to initiate a search for a new dean.”
Miller was out of town and could not be reached for comment.
During his tenure as dean, the College of Business and Economics is said to have established a distinguished record of excellence in teaching, research and service to the community. Domitrz said he is pleased with the reputation of the college and the part he played in its development.
“I think I’ve been very fortunate in terms of the school’s reputation. I believe it’s a better place now than it was when I came,” he said.
According to academic reports, accounting graduates of the school have consistently placed in the top five in the nation in each of the last eight CPA exams, ranking number one in the nation for success on the CPA examination in the last 10 years.
The management computer systems program has also been ranked the No. 1 undergraduate program in the nation by the Association for Information Technology Professionals, according to the Domitrz.
“We raised our academic standards and, over the years, our students have excelled because of it,” he said. “The college also has excellent faculty, which combined with the support form businesses and alumni, has led to great achievements.”
Another of the Business and Economics School’s achievements has been accreditation by the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) for both the undergraduate and graduate programs within the college. Less than 400 colleges and universities in the US, Canada, Europe and Mexico have received AACSB accreditation for their degree programs in business, according to Domitrz.
“I feel I’ve been very fortunate,” Domitrz noted. “The average tenure of a business dean is four years. … It’s the great student body, the great faculty and great business and alumni support – a lot of good things have transpired. I was lucky enough to be here when they happened.”
Prior to his move to UW-Whitewater in 1976, Domitrz was the chair of the economics department at Western Illinois University. He taught at Western Illinois from 1970 to 1976. Domitrz received his bachelor’s degree in education in 1962 from Central Michigan University. He received a master’s degree in economics from Western Michigan University in 1966, and earned his doctorate degree form Southern Illinois University in 1971.
September 13, 2001 Small Business Times
