Oxford, Miss. – After 17 years of record growth and innovation, Ken Cyree, the dean of the oldest business school of the Southeast Conference, announced his retirement from the School of Business Administration of the University of Mississippi.
Cyree will withdraw from the oldest state school in the end of this year.
“I am proud of what we were able to accomplish together,” he said, “my intention from the start has always been to go out and leave school ready to continue and develop the successes we appreciated.
Ken Cyree (left), Dean of the School of Business Administration, and Stan Viner (right), president of the Ole Miss Banks and Finance Advisory Council, welcome Michelle Bowman, member of the Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve and the Honorary Speaker at 2024 Banking and Finance Symposium. Photo by Hunt Mercier / Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services
“I think we were able to reach the goal of doing the Channel Business administration school Even better in the past 17 years and more, and I am excited for the future of the school. “”
Under the leadership of Cyree, the business school increased by 73% in registration and raised nearly $ 55 million, including $ 23.8 million for its endowment. The school moved its approach to students’ success, emphasizing experiential learning and a dedicated career center. In addition, Cyree favored the growth of entrepreneurship, establishing an adult in entrepreneurship and creating an incubator of a student start-up.
The elders and donors Bruce and Karen Moore described their enthusiasm to watch the business school developing in size and in national reputation under the direction of Cyree. Bruce created the Bruce Moore scholarship holder in the Presidency of Finance in 2011. Karen was president of the Women’s Council of Ole Miss from 2014 to 2016 and president of Ole Miss Alumni Association in 2023-24.
“Ken is a passionate leader and devoted for 17 years,” said Bruce. “His vision of attracting and retaining the great teachers and students continues to produce huge dividends for Ole Miss.”
Cyree came to Ole Miss de la Texas Tech University in 2004 as an associate teacher of finance. The business school recognized it with its professor price of the exceptional year in 2007 and the exceptional principal researcher in 2014.
Dean Ken Cyree speaks during the early 2023 ceremony for the School of Business Administration. Photo by Joe Worthem
Shortly after becoming Dean, Cyree began to work to offer opportunities in the field of entrepreneurship. The school launched the Innovation and entrepreneurship center In 2014, the creation of Ole Miss as a leading choice for students who know that they want to be their own boss.
Since its creation, the CIE has helped 72 start -up companies led by students and has awarded some $ 3,57,300 in cash prices and $ 89,000 on students interested in small start -up companies.
“Ken has played a decisive role in many activities that have built school in the past decade more,” said Rich Gentry, president of the FNC entrepreneurship and co -director of the CIE. “For me, its impact began with a commitment to research on the first day.”
Even as Dean, Cyree remained active in teaching and research. He gave lessons on financial institutions and markets, banking management, business finance and businesses, investments and the analysis of the financial statements.
“Any student of Dean Cyree knows that his lessons are rigorous, but offer some of the most precious lessons that you will withdraw from your stay in Ole Miss,” said Lily Martin, an elderly person in Providence, Kentucky, who specializes in bank and finance and risk management and insurance.
Ken Cyree says he can’t wait to spend golf time after retiring at the end of this year. Photo by Kevin Bain / Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services
“He constantly holds my classmates and I according to higher standards, challenging us to think deep about the subjects at hand and to equip us with real knowledge.”
He has published more than 30 articles in reading committee journals, including 24 in Ole Miss, such as the Journal of Banking and Finance, Journal of Financial Markets and Financial Management. His research has focused on subjects ranging from the bank, loans, consumer delinquencies and compliance with the Dodd-Frank law and the Federal Reserve.
“I really liked working with Dean Cyree and I will greatly miss his exceptional leadership and support,” said Bonnie Van Ness, president of the Ministry of Finance since 2009. “He has been cultivating a positive and productive work environment that inspires those around him.
“He motivates the ability to aim for continuous improvement, and he gives an example, constantly demonstrating the values he encourages.”
In 2022, Cyree collaborated with Barry Babin to merge the Marketing Department with the Department of Management Information Systems. This innovative reorganization Better prepare students to enter a modern marketing workforce which is based strongly on data analysis.
“I mean that as a compliment, but” working for “Ken is not like working for a dean,” said Babin. “He is a partner in everything we do, and beyond all the distinctions that will come to school service, it is a good person and someone I am happy to call a friend.”
The university plans to launch national research for a new dean, said Noel Wilkin. The objective is to appoint the new dean at the end of the fall semester.
“Ken Cyree will be remembered for his long mandate as a stable and stable leadership of the business administration school,” said Wilkin. “This led to an increase in registrations, considerable financial support, an expansion of professional support and the development of innovative programs, such as the minor of entrepreneurship. This has led to an impressive expansion of the school’s reputation and classification.”
After decades of teaching, writing and business school management, Cyree is looking forward to spending time with her family and more time on the golf course.
“I will miss many interactions and relations with the faculty, the staff, the students, the old and the friends, but I hope that the new management will allow the school to take a path that will benefit everyone in the 21st century.”
Above: Ken Cyree, dean of the School of Business Administration, talks to the Ole Miss 2022 family sales symposium. Cyree, which is Dean for 17 years, plans to retire at the end of the year. Photo by Kevin Bain / Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services