The interim dean of West Virginia Universitys College of Business and Economics has been appointed to the deanship.

Jay Coats, who was appointed to replace Lee Dahringer Aug. 16, will finish out the final three years of Dahringers five-year term, Provost Gerald Lang announced Friday (Sept. 7). Dahringer left in July to take a similar position at Loyola College in Maryland.

Lang said he met this week with B&E faculty and staff and made the appointment with their”overwhelming endorsement.”

The provost said he decided to make the appointment immediately rather than conducting the routine national search because the college”would be best served with a stable and knowledgeable person at the helm now, not months down the road.”A search, he said, would not have been completed before next spring.

“The University and college are engaged in a capital campaign, and the idea of three people leading the college during this time just doesn’t make sense,”he said.”B&E’s undergraduate enrollment is good, its graduate program is growing, and the college plays an important role in outreach to the state. I dont want leadership changes to have any negative effect on these, especially during our campaign, which will be so important to the colleges future. I have every confidence in Dr. Coatsability to continue this progress.”

Coats joined WVU s accounting department in 1971 and served as director of graduate programs for a number of years. He has been associate dean for academic affairs at B&E since January 2000 and also directs the undergraduate programs.

His research interests focus on accounting education, human information processing systems and decision-making. His primary teaching areas are managerial accounting, financial accounting and accounting information systems. He has also served as a consultant to educational institutions and the federal government and is a member of the American Accounting Association. He received the colleges Outstanding Service Award in 1995.

“Im very happy to be able to play a key role in the leadership of B&E,”Coats said.”Ive been a part of the college for 30 years now, and I can tell you that this is one of the most exciting times Ive experienced. Were providing society with graduates who are well-versed in business technology and the skills to provide leadership in a global business environment. Im proud of what weve accomplished, and I see a bright future for the college.”