A l u m n i M a g a z i n e - Duke University's Fuqua School of Business

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NEW DEAN
Marketing recently sat down with Doug Breeden
to discuss his new role and his plans for the
coming years at Fuqua.
Q: Why did you decide to accept the challenge of running a
business school?
A: A member of the Dean Search Committee contacted me
and informed me of the opportunity. Fuqua has some
extremely talented people, and they were the initial reason
that I came here in the first place. I know the faculty very
well and have an enormous respect for them and to hear that
they were supportive in my being their leader was really
touching to me, so the opportunity became too irresistible to
turn down.
Q: What are your top priorities as dean for the next several
years?
A: I’ve always been long-term in my focus, and I want to
build things that last longer than I do. I want to provide
wonderful experiences while students, faculty and staff are
with the university, and I want to build something that is first
rate, Top 5, and sustain and ultimately increase that ranking
for years after I’m gone.
My number one priority is building and increasing the
faculty. Fuqua’s faculty needs to be developed to a point
where we can deliver a number of quality programs over the
next few years. The second big focus of the school, where we
fall short relative to our competitors, is in endowment and
capital at Fuqua. Fuqua is a young school compared with our
competitors. Raising funds is a major priority for a new dean.
I intend to travel the globe and work with alumni and students,
with the hopes of getting them excited enough to give
back a part of what they gained and help us build the school.
Q: What are your plans for recruiting faculty?
A: My number one charge, as I mentioned before, is to build
the faculty. I have always been successful at recruiting, and I
have a lot of confidence in Fuqua’s ability to recruit. That is
one reason I chose this area to live in because I think it’s a
wonderful area. If you’re a faculty or staff member, the
Triangle is a great place to live and to raise families. I’ve
found great success in building my business here and will
again find success in building the business school as well.
Q: How would you describe your leadership style?
A: My leadership style is going to be one of collegial decisionmaking.
This is the way universities operate. I’ll combine
both my knowledge in the business world and what it takes
to be an executive and my knowledge of the university to
benefit the various issues I will encounter as dean.
Q: What role do you see alumni playing in Fuqua’s future?
A: Alumni are crucial to Fuqua’s future. I think they are
going to be called upon and counted on more than ever in
the history of Fuqua. We have a great alumni base now.
Many students that I have taught have been out of school for
a while and have carved a successful niche in their careers.
They are loyal to the school, and it’s important for Fuqua to
welcome them back.
Q: What are your strengths and how do you believe they will
benefit Fuqua?
A: My strength in this position is the fact that I’ve been an
academic throughout my career. I know quality. I’ve worked
at top-quality schools, including competitors of Fuqua’s. I’m
very comfortable working with faculty members and consulting
with them on who we should recruit, who should be promoted,
etc. I’m also comfortable with teaching. I’ve always
been a good teacher and get a lot of joy and satisfaction when
I reach a student. I know what quality teaching is like and I
can help people in that capacity.
Q: What is your vision for Fuqua?
A: My vision for Fuqua is to be an absolutely first-rate business
school. I want it to be a school that has balanced excellence
- which is excellence both in research and teaching.
That’s as simple as it gets.
E x c h a n g e / W i n t e r 2 0 0 1 I 5