Henrik Cronqvist appointed new business school dean amid controversies
The Argyros School of Business and Economics announces the appointment of a new dean as complaints of neglected mask protocol and cheating allegations shroud the university. JAKE NEEDHAM, Staff Photographer.
The Argyros School of Business and Economics has recently appointed Henrik Cronqvist as the new dean to lead and advise various departments and faculty members of the business school in light of five-year Dean Thomas Turk’s decision to step down from the position.
“I have previously lived and worked in the Southern California area at the Claremont Colleges,” Cronqvist said. “Chapman’s campus is truly beautiful and it is a great honor for me to have been selected to the role of leading the Argyros School.”
Cronqvist’s projected start date is Aug. 1, but his appointment was announced to the Chapman community at a time when various controversies are shrouding the university’s business school, including complaints of professors failing to wear masks during class and a professor suing his students for uploading exam materials online.
Cronqvist failed to respond directly to questions regarding current issues in Argyros.
“I have not started my position as dean yet, but I am looking forward to it,” Cronqvist said in response to The Panther’s inquiries about the business school’s ongoing controversies.
Cronqvist has held countless faculty positions at colleges across the U.S., including his most recent engagement as the vice dean at the University of Miami’s Herbert Business School, prior to accepting his role as the dean of Chapman’s business school in late March.
Cronqvist hails from Sweden and is a graduate of the Stockholm School of Economics, where he received a master of science degree in business and economics. He also went on to receive a Ph.D. in finance from the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago.
After graduating, Cronqvist received a job offering to serve on the faculty at Ohio State University’s Fisher College of Business.
Henrik Cronqvist, who works as the Vice Dean of the Herbert Business School at the University of Miami, will begin his new appointment as the dean of Chapman University’s business school Aug. 1. Photo courtesy of Henrik Cronqvist
Since then, he has also held faculty positions at the Robert Day School of Economics and Finance at Claremont McKenna College, the China Europe International Business School and the University of Miami — where he has worked in several faculty positions since 2015 — and will soon depart from to prepare for his new appointment as dean at Chapman.
“While I am not yet familiar with the new business school dean, Henrik Cronqvist, his academic accomplishments that I’ve seen are promising,” said Leah Hallal, a sophomore business administration marketing major. “I hope that he carries the qualities of past deans while being more hands-on and approachable with students so that they are able to feel comfortable and heard.”
Before beginning his term as the dean, Turk worked at the Argyros School for 30 years as a strategic management professor. Following his resignation, Turk will return to teaching his Executive MBA courses in strategic management on campus as well as working alongside Candace Ybarra, the associate dean for Argyros School, to publish their business findings and research.
“It has been a special privilege to represent our students, faculty, and alumni as dean over the past five years. What I have been most proud of in this position are the countless students who have assumed leadership roles, created opportunities for productive employees, instilled value for customers and brought greater prosperity to on-campus and off-campus communities.”
During Turk’s term as Dean, the Argyros School has dramatically increased its national rankings, with the School being ranked No. 72 in the nation — its highest-ever position — by U.S. News & World Report March 29.
Along with that achievement, Argyros School has also doubled in faculty members, improved student career outcomes and launched a MS in Real Estate over the past five years.
“Dr. Turk is incredibly respected by students and faculty and has helped to propel the business school to the next level of excellence,” said Provost Norma Bouchard, who played a role in the final phase of choosing the new Argyros School Dean. “We believe that Dr. Cronqvist has the deep experience necessary to continue that momentum.”
In the upcoming months, Cronqvist will begin to transition into his role as dean. He will be in charge of recruiting and retaining faculty members, providing internships and other educational opportunities for Argyros School students and continuing to build a prominent reputation within the overall business school community.
“With his dedication to community service and instructing experience, I am confident that Dr. Cronqvist will be an excellent addition to the school,” said Megan Johnson, a senior business administration and strategic and corporate communication double major. “I’m hoping that with the arrival of this new dean, more student voices will be heard and a positive impact will be made.”
Cronqvist has had the opportunity to visit Chapman several times during his career to present his research at conferences and interact with the faculty on campus. His past experiences on campus were what prompted him to express his sincere interest in becoming the next Argyros School Dean.
“I have been able to learn first-hand about the positive momentum of the school and all the dedicated faculty and staff serving the students and alumni,” Cronqvist said. “I look forward to working with all the stakeholders to strive toward the next level of impact and excellence.”
