After an abrupt decision that the College of Business and Economics would be hiring a new dean was made public in January 2017, the search began.
The decision for Dr. Paul Barrett, the former dean, to step down came after a traumatic accident concerning his son-in-law, inspiring him to pursue his dream of teaching.
Dr. Timothy O’Keefe, has recently started his deanship, replacing Barrett after the announcement of the transition in April 2017. As O’Keefe takes his dean position, Barrett will start teaching in the management and marketing department.
“This is a great opportunity because I can apply a lifetime of experience in higher education in a position where I can make positive differences on a broader scale," O'Keefe said. "I want every student at every level to know that we are excited that you are here.”
“Dr. O'Keefe brings a lot of important skills and experiences to his (new) position," Barrett said. "He has a doctoral degree in information systems, and it will serve him well related to the Longwood Cyber Security Center and its distinctive programs. He is an entrepreneur and will continue to invest in the business school's culture of innovation in high impact programs.”
O’Keefe described the advertisement for the Deanship at Longwood as compelling.
“Farmville and Longwood University felt like home the moment I arrived,” said O’Keefe.
Prior to his deanship position, O’Keefe served as the executive director and chair of the School of Entrepreneurship at the University of North Dakota. Before that, he was chair of the department of Information Systems and Business Communication. He also served as director of the MBA program for five years at the University of North Dakota.
O’Keefe believes that he can bring some new opportunities to Longwood.
"In the College of Business and Economics, we have a truly excellent advising office in the McGaughy Internship & Professional Development Center," O'Keefe said. "They understand the challenges freshmen face and are well-equipped to assist students in academic planning and to refer students to other offices and services when necessary. Develop a good working relationship with your advisers and your faculty.”
O'Keefe has a ivy-league background.
“For example, the training I received at Stanford University in Lean Launchpad and Pathways to Innovation will be helpful in defining how we make innovation and entrepreneurship part of the curricular inventory in the College of Business and Economics," O’Keefe said. "Innovation and entrepreneurship are topics that are valuable for all students at Longwood University.”
O’Keefe was born in a small town in North Dakota, 50 miles south of the US/Canada border. He has lived in North Dakota for the majority of his life. For the past 34 years, O’Keefe and his wife, Bonnie, have lived in the small town of Mayville, North Dakota along with their two daughters.
Traveling 40 miles to Farmville – a two-college town – O’Keefe describes the town as "big" in comparison to his previous home population of 2,500 people.
“Both Longwood University and the Town of Farmville are perfect for us," said O’Keefe. "Longwood University is small enough to have a good balance among teaching, research and service and large enough to have the critical mass necessary to deliver great educational programs. The Citizen Leadership mission is congruent with my philosophy of business education.”
Barrett spoke highly of his new colleague: “Dr. O'Keefe is excited to lead the business school at Longwood and has energized everyone he has met, including me.”
Dr. Timothy O'Keefe transitioned into his new role as Longwood's dean of the College of Business and Economics after he served in executive positions at the University of North Dakota.
