Diane Heldt, The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa –
University of Iowa officials announced Tuesday that Sarah Gardial, vice provost of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has been named the first woman dean of the UI Tippie College of Business.
Gardial, 54, will become dean effective July 1 and earn $380,000. She succeeds William “Curt” Hunter, who is retiring.
Gardial, a native of Hot Springs, Ark., earned her undergraduate and MBA degrees from the University of Arkansas and her doctorate in 1986 from the University of Houston. She joined the marketing faculty of the University of Tennessee’s College of Business Administration in 1986 and later served as assistant dean for the full-time MBA program and associate dean for academic programs. She has served as the university’s vice provost for faculty affairs since 2008, overseen faculty recruitment and development, and participated on the planning and implementation teams for the university’s strategic plan.
UI Provost Barry Butler made the appointment, subject to approval by the state Board of Regents.
Gardial was one of five finalists interviewed on campus in January and February by a search committee chaired by Gail Agrawal, dean of UI law college. Gardial said in a statement the Tippie College has a tradition of excellence, and is a fit for her commitment to public higher education.
“The college has outstanding faculty, researchers, and students and I look forward to working with them to develop a plan and a vision that builds on its tradition of excellence and achievement,” she said.
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