Virginia Tech names Robert Sumichrast as new dean of Pamplin College of Business

Published January 9, 2013 by Paula C. Squires

Virginia Tech announced the appointment Wednesday of Robert T. Sumichrast as dean of the school’s Pamplin College of Business. Currently serving as dean of the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia, Sumichrast—who has former ties to Tech—will begin his appointment July 1.

He succeeds Richard E. Sorensen, who is retiring on June 30 after 31 yearsas dean at the Pamplin College.

“Robert Sumichrast is an accomplished and highly respected leader in business education, bringing with him dean-level experience from two other prominent business schools,” Tech’s Provost Mark McNamee said in a statement.  “… He emerged as the leading candidate among an exceptional pool of business school leaders.”

Sumichrast, who began his faculty career at Virginia Tech in 1984, said: “… I am honored to have been selected to lead its Pamplin College. There are many opportunities to enhance Pamplin’s programs through collaboration within and beyond the university.”

Sumichrast taught for nearly 20 years at Tech, including four years as Pamplin’s associate dean for graduate and international programs. He began his professional career as an assistant professor of management science at Tech in 1984. In 1998, Sumichrast was named associate dean. He left in 2003 to become dean of the E.J. Ourso College of Business at Louisiana State University.

He assumed the position of dean at the University of Georgia in 2007. While there, Sumichrast is credited with leveraging collaborations with departments outside the business college, improving education and research programs and increaseing student services.

Virginia Tech’s nationally ranked Pamplin College of Business offers undergraduate and graduate programs in accounting and information systems, business information technology, economics, finance, hospitality and tourism management, management, and marketing.