Contact: David West (west@nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

7/24/2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES- Dr. Joel K. Worley has been named Dean of the College of Business at Northwestern State University. Worley has been acting associate dean of Business since last year.

"As dean I plan to emphasize quality teaching and quality in research efforts," said Worley. "I want to keep the curriculum current and stay on top of that at all times. I also want to emphasize student placement, getting our graduates placed in good jobs and recruiting employers to come to campus to talk with our students. I will even cold call companies to tell them about our program and the quality of our students."

Worley has been a member of Northwestern's faculty for 13 years. He has been a professor of business administration since 1991. Worley was an associate professor of business administration at NSU from 1983 until 1986. He was a member of the faculty at Radford University from 1980 until 1983 and from 1986 until 1991. Worley was also an instructor at Virginia Tech and Stephen F. Austin State University.

A native of Mount Enterprise, Texas, he earned his doctorate at Virginia Tech and is also a graduate of Stephen F. Austin and the U.S. Naval Post-Graduate School.

Worley also plans to actively recruit top students to NSU and the College of Business.

"We have some objectives regarding growth. We want our build our numbers," he said. "In the future, we are looking at adding minors in e-commerce and finance. We may also may seek additional majors."

Among his other plans are continuing to raise private funds. Recently, the College of Business received a pledge to create its first endowed chair. The Charles E. Ragus and Family Endowed Chair in Business will be created with a donation of $400,000 from Peggy Ragus and her family, Debbie and Buddy Cook, Stacey and Lt. Col. Andy Cernicky and Jenni and Dalton McGaha.

The College of Business also has seven endowed professorships worth $100,000 each.

In the past several years, the College of Business has also raised funds to create several scholarships to assist students.

"Last spring we awarded 10 scholarships to students who entered in the fall of 2001. These scholarships were rewards for academic performance," said Worley. "We want to recognize excellence in the classroom."

Worley said the College will add eight new faculty including three in computer information systems, which is one of Northwestern's Areas of Excellence.

"These faculty are well-qualified and able teachers," said Worley. "The first thing we look for is practical, applied credentials. We also look for academic achievement."

Worley gave credit to the faculty, staff and administration in all areas at NSU for their role in helping the College of Business emerge as the state's top program.

"We have support from throughout the entire university. We would not have a strong program if the rest of the university were not strong academically," he said.

In addition to his academic experience, Worley has headed a consulting firm, Joel K. Worley and Associates since 1978. Worley has consulted with companies in retailing, wholesaling, manufacturing, transportation, international trade, the medical field, service firms, agricultural firms, restaurants, oil field service and real estate. He also has worked for several years in private business.

Worley has published articles for national and international refereed journals on subjects including small business, care of AIDS patients and attitudes on AIDS, business ethics and gender issues. He has also been an active participant at professional conferences. Worley was also a founding member and a member of the board of directors of the International Academy of Management and Marketing.

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