University of South Florida business school concludes search for new dean

After a yearlong search, the University of South Florida’s Muma College of Business has appointed Gary Patterson, a longtime associate dean and finance professor, to lead the Kate Tiedemann School of Business and Finance, located at the USF St. Petersburg campus.

According to a news release, Patterson did not submit an application for the position and says he did not seek the role, but his credentials and experience — he’s been with USF since 2000 and served as interim dean of Tiedemann School three times — led Muma College of Business Dean Moez Limayem to offer him the job.

“The Kate Tiedemann School of Business and Finance offers so much potential for our students, faculty and community partners,” Patterson states in the release. “We have an amazing group of dedicated faculty and staff, and I want to support their efforts so that our students can succeed at all levels — undergraduate, master’s and doctoral. Our efforts will support the mission of the Muma College of Business, and such work will help the school thrive on all three campuses to the benefit of the region and state.”

Patterson, the release states, will take office on July 1. His tenure comes at an exciting time for the school, which recently received $14 million from philanthropists Kate Tiedemann and Ellen Cotton. The funds will bolster the school’s financial technology education and create a fintech center.

“The school is expanding into some exciting areas in finance,” Patterson states in the release. “The generous support of our donors allows us to move strategically and play an impactful role in fintech.”