Students and faculty gathered in the Turner Lynch Campus Center Thursday for a meet and greet with Dennis Kelly, the inaugural dean of the Q. William Hammack, Jr. School of Business. Announced in April, Kelly’s role became effective Monday, October 15.

Dean Dennis Kelly speaks to students and faculty

Kelly brings a long legacy of corporate and nonprofit leadership in Atlanta and beyond. Most recently, he served as Interim President of Smithsonian Enterprises in Washington, D.C.,

Division chair Dr. Lynn Guhde, Mack A. Rikard Professor of Economics & Business Administration, introduced Kelly to the crowd of more than 65 students before the question and answer session, noting that the occasion was the first official event hosted by the Hammack School of Business.

“Students were really curious to hear what he had to say and know more about what the school of business is going to look like,” said Human Resources Management major Caroline Chamberlain ’19.

Kelly offered his vision for the Hammack School of Business, as well as his immediate goals.

“My near-term priorities [include] the development of a strategic plan for the Hammack school utilizing theories developed by Dr. Michael Porter; a refined positioning statement for the Hammack school; development of a detailed plan to ‘launch’ the school in the Fall of ’19; and creation of an Advisory Board,” Kelly said.

He then took questions from those gathered, such as the likelihood of graduate programs, entrance requirements to the business school, and additional internship opportunities.

“Oglethorpe and the Hammack School are a necessary and vital part of growing business and nonprofit communities of Atlanta, of Georgia and of the nation,” Kelly said. “Our role is to create leaders that can help guide our communities through rapid change and opportunity.

“Oglethorpe and the Hammack School can and will give our students the tools they need to thrive in an exciting and dynamic society, and I am proud to be helping with this important mission.”

In September 2017, Oglethorpe announced the largest gift in its history, a $50 million commitment from alumnus Q. William “Bill” Hammack, Jr. ’73, to establish the school of business while supporting its core tradition of liberal arts and sciences. The Q. William Hammack, Jr. School of Business will open in fall 2019.