Former CEO named interim dean of Monte Ahuja College of Business
By Eric Bonzar
June 14 2012
Cleveland State University President Ronald M. Berkman has announced that the Monte Ahuja College of Business has named Steve Percy as interim dean.
Percy is the former chairman and CEO of BP America Inc. and also an alumnus of the Cleveland Marshall College of Law at Cleveland State.
“Mr. Percy is a legendary businessman, who brings immeasurable talent and experience leading one of the largest companies in the world,” said Berkman. “This is an extraordinary opportunity for CSU to advance the important work of the Ahuja College of Business and set new standards for engaged learning.”
A Cleveland native, Percy holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Michigan.
Percy has served as the chairman of the foundation board, the head of its investment committee and chair of the National Advisory Council of Cleveland-Marshall.
“Mr. Percy has already demonstrated a deep commitment to Cleveland State,” said Berkman. “We are truly honored that he will be actively involved in the daily operations and long-term direction of the Ahuja College of Business.”
On June 1, Dr. George Walker, vice president for research and graduate studies became acting provost.
Walker has spent a substantial part of his career in research and graduate studies, and has also served as department chair, associate dean and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Indiana University.
“We are very fortunate to have someone with his depth and breadth of academic experience at this very important time for the university,” said Berkman.
Dr. Jianping Zhu, dean of graduate studies, was appointed to senior vice provost as well.
Berkman said a restructuring of Academic Affairs brought the dean of graduate studies into the office of provost and that Zhu will report to Walker and, “assume leadership in a variety of academic operations.”
“Dr.’s Walker and Zhu have worked together over the last four months and are excited to continue to collaborate to move a very comprehensive and complex academic agenda,” he added.
According to Berkman, Dr. Jerzy Sawicki will assume overall responsibility for research and will continue to report to Walker.