Daniel Pullin, current dean of the college of business at the University of Oklahoma, has been named as the new dean at TCU’s Neeley School of Business.
Teresa Abi-Nader Dahlberg, provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs at Texas Christian University, announced the appointment of Pullin as the John V. Roach Dean and Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation for the Neeley School of Business on April 10.
Pullin has served as dean of the Michael F. Price College of Business at the University of Oklahoma since 2014.
Among his many successes, he is credited with growing the college’s graduate program enrollment by 50 percent in five years and delivering high impact and cross-disciplinary degree options to enhance academic rigor.
He positioned the university as an economic engine for Oklahoma by connecting OU initiatives in entrepreneurial discovery, education and new venture creation, resulting in a culture of innovation across all OU campuses.
The University of Oklahoma’s MBA programs recently received their highest rankings in the last 15 years from U.S. News and World Report.
According to the March report, OU’s full-time program rose 18 spots to 58th in the nation, while the professional part-time program rose eight spots to 52nd. The rankings place OU’s programs among the Top 35 public universities that offer MBA programs, with the full-time MBA receiving a rank of 31st and the professional part-time MBA a rank of 29th.
Last year, Pullin was the only person to publicly announce he was a finalist under consideration to succeed the outgoing David Boren as president of OU. Earlier this year, the OU Board of Regents named James L. Gallogly, a former CEO of LyondellBasell, a multinational plastics, chemical and refining company, as president of the university.
As dean of the Neeley School, Pullin’s primary responsibilities will encompass enhancing the profile of undergraduate and graduate programs to maintain the Neeley school’s momentum. He will also help define and cultivate academic excellence among Neeley students and faculty, enhance the school’s diversity and inclusion initiatives in tandem with the university’s vision and strategic plans, and serve as a steward to both TCU and its business community partners, according to a news release from the school.
“The Neeley School of Business is continuously recognized for its outstanding educational programs and high-quality graduates, and Daniel’s proven track record, leadership style and financial aptitude are the perfect complements,” said Dahlberg.
Pullin earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Oklahoma and an MBA from Harvard Business School before returning to Oklahoma to earn a Juris Doctor.
He is an active member of numerous professional boards and advisory groups, including Engage Learning, the Oklahoma Health Center Foundation, Norman Economic Development Coalition, Norman, Oklahoma, and Center City Visioning Executive Committee, among others. He is a member of the Rotary Club 29 of Oklahoma City, as well as the Downtown Club of Oklahoma City.
Pullin received the OU Foundation Alumni Teaching Award in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Pullin previously served as university vice president for strategic planning and economic development and chairman of OU’s Ronnie K. Irani Center for the Creation of Economic Wealth (I-CCEW), now administered by Price College.
Prior to joining OU in 2006, Pullin served as vice president of strategy and business development for Home Interiors & Gifts following his tenure at McKinsey & Company, a global consulting firm, and Hicks Muse Tate & Furst, a Dallas-based private equity fund now known as HM Capital Partners.
Pullin and his wife, Tamara, have two sons, Parker and Halsey.
Pullin will begin his tenure as dean May 31, 2019.
Pullin will replace the current dean, O. Homer Erekson, who announced last year that he was stepping down.
Erekson was named dean in March 2008. He is an alumnus of TCU with a BBA in economics and political science from TCU and Ph.D. in economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
TCU has about 11,000 students with about 1,500 of those in its graduate programs.
– FWBP Staff