NSU Announces Selection of New Academic Affairs VP

Northeastern State University officials announced on May 3 the hiring of Dr. Dalton Bigbee as the new vice president for Academic Affairs. Dr. Bigbee will begin his new position on July 1.

Bigbee's appointment concludes an extensive year-long search that began last July when Dr. James P. Pate retired as the University's chief academic officer. Currently the associate vice president for Academic Affairs at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Bigbee brings to NSU more than 27 years of experience in the field of higher education.

"We are indeed fortunate to have the opportunity to welcome Dr. Dalton Bigbee to Northeastern," NSU President Dr. Larry Williams said. "In addition to his accomplishments as an experienced educator, Dr. Bigbee has also distinguished himself through extraordinary contributions to higher education that have established him as an academic leader."

Bigbee began his teaching career as assistant professor of Economics and Finance at Louisiana Tech University in 1979. Six years later, he accepted a position as associate professor at Texas A&M University-Kingsville where he subsequently held the positions of assistant dean for Academic Affairs in the College of Business Administration, dean of the College of Business Administration, and professor and interim chair of the Department of Economics and Finance, before advancing to the associate vice president's position.

For several years, he has been actively involved in issues related to accreditation of business schools, has chaired and served on various accreditation visitation teams, and has served as consultant to schools seeking accreditation and reaffirmation. He served on the Board of Directors of the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) from 2003-2005 and on the Board of Commissioners for the Baccalaureate and Graduate Degree Commission of ACBSP from 1997-2003, including one year as chair.

With a background rich in knowledge related to economics and finance, he has established himself as a leading expert in security valuation issues, corporate financial structure, and current asset-management processes. Bigbee has also served as an expert witness in numerous cases involving litigation with regard to lost earnings and valuation issues. An experienced teacher at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, he has conducted many seminars for business, industry, and state accounting societies in financial forecasting, cash management, and investment strategies.

A 1969 graduate of Howard Payne College, he was named that institution's Distinguished Alumnus in 2005. Bigbee also earned his Master of Business Administration from Texas A&I University in 1975 and his Ph.D. in Finance from Texas Tech University in 1981.

Bigbee joins NSU during a very progressive period in the institution's history, with student enrollment and graduate rates reaching all-time highs. During Pate's tenure, NSU underwent a comprehensive review and restructuring of all academic functions of the University, resulting in reduced operating costs and the combining of two academic colleges and several academic departments. Meanwhile visible growth that began in 1999 continues on all three of NSU's campuses, and earlier this spring, NSU was designated by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education as the lead institution in a new statewide Adult Degree Completion Program that will begin in 2007.

"I can't imagine a more exciting time to become part of the NSU community," Williams said. "As we move toward our Centennial Celebration in 2009, we look forward to Dr. Bigbee's involvement in our institutional growth and the benefit of his expertise in best serving the needs of our students and patrons."