Thomas

L. Joseph Thomas, the Anne and Elmer Lindseth Dean of the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management, who led the efforts to create the Emerging Markets Institute and the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Institute at the school, will return to teaching and research when his five-year term as dean ends June 30, 2012.

"My term as dean of Johnson has awarded me some of the greatest gifts of my career," said Thomas. "I have seen this school become perfectly positioned to be a leader in global graduate business education. I greatly look forward to continuing my outreach throughout the coming year, and I am excited that I have been able to play a role in the growth of such an incredible institution."

As dean, Thomas also launched the school's long-term strategic plan. His goals for his final year as the 10th dean of the Johnson School include extending the school's global footprint through partnerships with businesses, educational institutions and alumni -- and laying a solid groundwork for his successor.

"Joe Thomas' leadership solidified the legacy of excellence at the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management through several program and research initiatives, including the launch of a long-term strategic plan and the creation of the institutes for emerging markets and entrepreneurism," said Provost Kent Fuchs.

Thomas remains popular with generations of alumni who have taken his classes, and he has traveled extensively to connect with them during his tenure as dean. Thomas intends to maintain his outreach through the coming year and beyond.

"I am passionate about this place and want to assure its stakeholders that I plan to leave its deanship in good hands," said Thomas. "Johnson is a top-notch school, and uniquely flexible and small enough to offer a fertile ground for a dean who is a true innovator and strategic thinker. I am excited to welcome my successor and assist him or her in developing and furthering a modern, collaborative and global vision for the school."

Cornell has retained the search firm of Spencer Stuart to assist in identifying a new dean for July 2012.