Zerbe reappointed as dean of business faculty

By Susan White | Oct. 29, 2014

Dr. Wilfred Zerbe has been renewed as dean of Memorial’s business faculty.Dr. Wilfred Zerbe has been renewed as dean of the Faculty of Business Administration for a second five-year term,
effective January 2015.

The Board of Regents approved the renewal at its meeting on Oct. 16.

“I’m very pleased, and appreciative of the support of faculty members, of students and members of the broader Memorial and Newfoundland and Labrador communities,” said Dr. Zerbe.

Dr. Noreen Golfman, provost and vice-president (academic) pro tempore, recommended the term renewal, which was unanimously endorsed by the board.

“Dr. Zerbe is an experienced leader with a track record of success during his first term as dean of the Faculty of Business Administration at Memorial University,” said Dr. Golfman. “His commitment to research excellence, innovation and international partnership opportunities, among other key priorities, will continue to serve the school well and guide the next generation of global business leaders.”

Since his appointment in 2010, Dr. Zerbe has focused on developing international partnerships, which has helped to grow the business school’s student numbers in spite of declining local enrollment. Under his leadership, the faculty also renewed its international accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) – the highest standard that a business school can achieve worldwide – and implemented a chair in corporate governance and transparency as well as a new master of science in management degree.

“We’re an excellent business school and we deliver excellent programming,” said Dr. Zerbe. “We are continuing to improve the relevance of our teaching and learning and public engagement programs to better meet the business needs of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada and the world.”

A number of initiatives are underway that will continue to grow the business faculty’s reputation as a top global business school, and Dr. Zerbe said he wants to continue to guide these efforts over the next five years.

Some of these initiatives include exploring the feasibility of a new master of business administration degree in social enterprise and entrepreneurship, developing a Centre for Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Technology Commercialization and working on new teaching innovations.

“We are also continuing our emphasis on internationalization, research intensity and graduate education as we ensure that we are aligned with Memorial’s strategic direction.”

Dr. Zerbe came to Memorial from the University of Calgary, where he was a faculty member at the Haskayne School of Business and held positions as associate dean (MBA) and associate dean (executive education).

He received his PhD in commerce and business administration from the University of British Columbia and holds bachelor and master’s degrees in psychology. His research interests focus on emotions in organizations, organizational research methods, service sector management, business ethics and leadership.


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