By Daniel Morgan, Advertising Manager

Professor Michael “Mike” Turrentine has been selected as the next Dean of the Gary E. West College of Business at West Liberty University.

After the recent internal search led by the Provost, Dr. Brian Crawford and university President, Dr. Stephen Greiner, the decision had been announced to the faculty on April 13, 2016. Turrentine will officially assume the position on July 1, 2016.

“Mike was the unanimous selection of the screening committee and both President Greiner and I agree that he is an excellent choice for the position,” Crawford said. “Professor Turrentine has performed exceptionally well as a faculty member and an administrator; I’m certain he’ll do a great job.”

“I’m feeling very honored to have been selected for this position,” Turrentine said.  “My colleagues have been very supportive, and we have a good team of faculty and staff that work well together. I see it as an opportunity to serve the university that I have really grown to love.”

Turrentine will be taking over for Professor Jean Bailey, who has served as the Interim Dean for the past three years.

“She has done a remarkable job in a difficult situation, and the Gary E. West College of Business is better today because of her efforts,” Crawford said.

Bailey has helped coordinate the implementation of the new Masters of Business Administration (MBA) in the College of Business, which will be offered in the fall.

Professor Turrentine began his career at West Liberty in 1999, serving as a full-time adjunct. He is in his 17 year at the university, and some of the classes that he has taught include “Business Law,” “Principles of Macroeconomics,” and “Management in Labor Relations.”

Turrentine completed his undergraduate degree in communications with a focus in management from Ohio University before receiving his law degree from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pa. He also earned a teaching certificate for grades 8-12 in Ohio.

Before teaching at WLU, Turrentine worked as a public relations coordinator for a public library system in Ohio. After law school, he became a full time lawyer in Steubenville, Ohio. Turrentine still serves as an acting judge in Ohio, who is called in when a full-time judge cannot participate in court.

“It’s exciting, but still so fresh as it came up in the busiest time of the semester,” Turrentine said. “I’m very excited for the opportunity and privilege to serve as the new dean. Mrs. Bailey has done a wonderful job and will assist me, and that is helping me deal with any anxiety at this point.”