Lusht Appointed Interim Dean Of Smeal

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA (October 31, 2005) – Kenneth M. Lusht, professor of business administration, Zimmerman Homes University Endowed Fellow in Business Administration, and chairman of the Department of Insurance and Real Estate, has been named interim dean of the Smeal College of Business, effective Jan. 1, 2006.

"Ken is a distinguished scholar, an award-winning teacher and a proven administrator with extensive ties to the business community," said Rodney A. Erickson, Penn State executive vice president and provost. "I am confident that he will provide strong and effective leadership to continue the positive momentum of the college during this time of transition."

Lusht will take over for Dean Judy Olian, who in September was named the eighth dean of the UCLA Anderson School of Management, effective Jan. 1, 2006.

"The college has made significant progress the past five years under the direction of Dean Olian," Lusht said. "It's my goal to keep Smeal on that progressive path while we search for permanent leadership. I’m honored to have the opportunity to do so."

Lusht has previously served as the college's associate dean for research, director of doctoral and M.S. programs and director of the Institute for Real Estate Studies. Outside the University, he is a fellow of the Homer Hoyt Institute and has served in advisory roles for the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, the Appraisal Foundation, the Center for Economic Studies, the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission and the American Real Estate and Urban Economics Association, of which he is a past president and member of the board of directors.

A search committee headed by David Wormley, dean of the College of Engineering, has been formed to find candidates to permanently fill the position.