Dr. Ralph C. Allen named Dean of VSU's Harley Langdale, Jr. Collegeof Business Administration

Dr. Ralph C. Allen will become the new dean of Valdosta State University's Harley Langdale, Jr. College of Business Administration, effective July 1, 2005. President Ronald M. Zaccari made the announcement saying that Allen will replace Dr. Ken Stanley, who has served as dean for more than 20 years. Dean Stanley has decided to return to full time teaching at VSU as Professor of Finance.

"Dr. Allen is a distinguished member of the VSU faculty, who has already made significant contributions to the expansion of the Harley Langdale, Jr. College of Business Administration," said Zaccari. "We know he will continue to strengthen the excellent reputation of the college that was developed under the direction of Dr. Stanley."

Allen, who is a tenured professor of economics, has served as director of the college's MBA Programs since 2002 and head of the Department of Marketing and Economics since 1996. He came to VSU in 1982 as assistant professor of economics and later became associate professor of economics in 1987.

In his letter of application letter for the position of dean Allen stated that he will assist the university-level administration in acquiring the needed resources from the University System of Georgia.

"However private support must play a critical role in Langdale College's development. To assist Langdale College in acquiring private sector support, I will draw on my years of alumni contacts and will further develop the College's relationships with the business community," stated Allen. He added that members of the college's growing student body are aspiring to advanced business positions, both within and outside VSU's immediate region.

"To meet their needs, Langdale College must improve its instructional quality, expand its faculty and physical resources, and develop new curriculum programs," said Allen.

The author of many journal publication articles, Allen received his Ph.D. in Economics in 1981 from Georgia State University. He received his M.S. degree in Mathematics and Statistics from Georgia State University and his B.S. degree in Physics from Emory University.