Dean Sanjay Sharma honoured
It was a bittersweet ceremony as people from across Concordia gathered at the John Molson School of Business (JMSB) to salute the JMSB Dean Sanjay Sharma and wish him well as he departs Concordia.
On July 1, Sharma becomes dean of the School of Business Administration at the University of Vermont (UVM).
His wife, Pramodita Sharma, professor in the JMSB’s Department of Management, will join him at UVM this fall. She will hold the Sanders Professorship in the School of Business Administration.
Toasted by many of his colleagues and friends, including President Frederick Lowy, Provost David Graham, and Board of Governors chair Peter Kruyt, Sharma reflected on his time at Concordia at the June 7 event: “The most significant challenge that we faced for the last four years was balancing our rapid growth with enhancing academic quality and student learning, and building a global reputation. I think we succeeded with that.”
Since joining Concordia in 2007, Sharma has helped the JMSB advance as a leader in sustainability and corporate social responsibility, as well as a world-class business school with top-notch faculty, innovative research centres, leading-edge learning facilities, excellent academic programs and exceptional students.
Sharma’s dedication to the issues of sustainability and corporate social responsibility helped distinguish Concordia. As dean, Sharma presided over the inauguration of the 15-storey JMSB building, constructed according to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver certification standards. He also launched the David O’Brien Centre for Sustainable Enterprise.
With Sharma’s leadership, the JMSB MBA program is now ranked by the Economist as one of the top 100 MBA programs in the world. During Sharma’s tenure, teams representing the JMSB have placed in the top three at more than 100 national and international case competitions. In the last academic year (2010-11), 36 of 47 JMSB teams participating in undergraduate case competitions earned podium finishes.
Sharma also thanked his many colleagues over the years. “All of this success is a collaborative team effort. We would not have this without the participation and engagement of so many people. As Peter said, this is due to support and generosity from the business community and alumni.”
Alan Hochstein, Associate Dean, Masters and Graduate Diploma Programs, was named interim dean in April. Hochstein will serve until June 30, 2012, or until a new dean is appointed.
Related links:
• Concordia University John Molson School of Business
• David O’Brien Centre for Sustainable Enterprise
• “Sanjay Sharma Recruited by Vermont” - NOW, March 3, 2011
• “Alan Hochstein Named Interim Dean of John Molson School of Business” - NOW, April 15, 2011