The dean of the Leeds School of Business at CU has confirmed that he is stepping down.
Dennis Ahlburg, dean of the Leeds School of Business, will be stepping down from his position at CU to assume the presidency at Trinity University beginning January 1, 2010.
“I was given the opportunity to lead an outstanding Liberal Arts University at Trinity,” Ahlburg said, “It was an opportunity too good to pass up.”
Stein Sture, provost and executive vice chancellor at CU, described the departure of Ahlburg as a common trend for administration.
“It is a fact of life and it happens all the time,” Sture said. “Turnover in administration is just part of the field.”
Ahlburg said that he has served as dean for the past four years and was the third longest standing dean in CU history. Prior to his engagement at the Leeds School, he was a faculty member at the University of Minnesota.
He said that working for Trinity was never part of an agenda, but was an unexpected opportunity.
“There is no such thing as good luck, you just have to realize it when it hits you in the face,” Ahlburg said.
He explained that his longtime goal was to become a provost at a large public research university like CU. When offered the opportunity, he declined due to his strong interest in the external workings of a university, such as working with alumni, working with students, and involvement in higher education.
Although Ahlburg’s work as a faculty member at CU allowed for involvement in these externalities, he said that he felt it was time for a change.
“The time I have spent with undergrads has been extremely rewarding and I could have happily stayed here but I have to go out and continue to make my mark on the world,” Ahlburg said.
According to Ahlburg, he had already made his mark at the Leeds School with his “four goals.”
He described such core objectives for Leeds as raising money for the construction of the Koelbel building, increasing diversity within the school, refocusing the undergraduate program and reengaging alumni with the students.
Ahlburg said that the elements of this agenda have either been accomplished or are in progress.
“We have constructed an incredible addition to the business school,” Ahlburg said. “It is now truly a business school with great support from the business community.”
Audrey Carlson, a 19-year-old sophomore business major, is pleased with Ahlburg’s contributions.
“Dr. Ahlburg is a stand-up gentleman and Trinity is very lucky to have him,” Carlson said. “He has done so much for the B. School.”
Carlson added that she is interested to see who the replacement dean will be.
According to Sture, the election of an interim dean for the Leads School is currently in discussion.
“Right now I am talking to the faculty and I met with them yesterday afternoon to see what attributes they would like to see in the new dean,” Sture said. “I want to make sure whoever I appoint will have the support of the faculty.”
Sture described his hope that the replacement dean is someone with leadership skills that is nationally known in scholarship funding. Sture anticipates that the replacement dean will have new ideas for the development of the Leeds School and will be able to work with alumni donors, faculty and students.
The final board meeting and awards ceremony for the departure of Ahlburg will take place on Oct. 30. By Nov. 2, Alburg said he will be out of office.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Kylie Horner at Kylie.horner@colorado.edu.
