Current economics department chair holding post during search
John McDermott, chair of the economics department, has been appointed interim dean of the Darla Moore School of Business.
“I am looking forward to the challenge of helping the Moore School make a successful transition to its new building,” McDermott said in an email regarding his new position. “The new facility will be instrumental in attracting high-quality students and faculty to the Moore School. I am also looking forward to working with the faculty and staff to maintain the quality of all aspects of academic life.”
McDermott is taking the place of Hildy Teegen until a permanent appointment can be found. After six years of being the dean of the Darla Moore School of Business, Teegen announced in late August 2012 she would be stepping down.
“I wanted to return to teaching and research,” Teegen said. “After a sabbatical year where I will visit Peru and Indonesia, I will return to USC in Fall 2014 as a faculty member in International Business.”
Both President Harris Pastides and Provost Michael Amiridis are extremely grateful for Teegen’s service to the school.
“She has done a wonderful job,” Amiridis said. “I am extremely delighted that between July and the time she is going to leave she has very graciously offered any assistance needed.”
Though Teegen was difficult to replace, Amiridis said McDermott is more than qualified to take over operations for the time being.
“He’s not just a good fit, he’s an excellent fit,” Amiridis said. “He’s a citizen faculty member for Darla Moore School business for close to three decades. He is an outstanding teacher, excellent professor, and experienced administrator. He has everything that is needed to provide the steady leadership until an appointment has been provided.”
Amiridis said that, unlike a permanent dean, the number one priority of an interim dean is to maintain operations instead of focusing on the future.
“Attention needs to be paid during this period to the needs of the students both undergrads and master grad students,” Amiridis said. “We need a caretaker. Someone to make sure the trains are running on time and the passengers are on there and happy.”
During his term, McDermott will focus on maintaining the Darla Moore School of Business’s image and prestige.
“We need to make sure the quality is maintained,” Amiridis said. “We have an accreditation visit coming in a couple of years so we need to make sure that we stay up to par and remain at the head of other schools in terms of excellence.”
While maintenance is a large part of McDermott’s role, he must also help the school into its future once the new Darla Moore School of Business building opens in the coming winter.
“We are also experiencing significant change,” Amiridis said. “It is very likely that the school will move to its new home during this interim period, which is very significant and not trivial. To move an operation like this takes a lot of work.”