Q&A with Dean Darrell Radson

10/10/2012 5:55 PM

The Foster College of Business welcomed its new Dean Darrell Radson this summer to help lead the faculty and students in continued academic excellence. Dean Radson was profiled in the October 8 edition of the Peoria Journal Star and the story is republished below. To read the story on the Peoria Journal Star website visit here.

Darrell Radson is the new dean of the Foster College of Business Administration at Bradley University. Having previously served as dean at Michigan Technological University’s business school, Radson has also served in both administrative and faculty positions at Drexel University, John Carroll University, and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Name: Darrell Radson

Occupation: Dean of Foster College of Business Administration at Bradley University.

Age: 56

Residence: Dunlap.

Family: Married with two grown daughters.

What brought you to Bradley?

I knew the great history of the school. Bradley is highly respected among business schools. I was also intrigued by the concept of business and engineering convergence here at Bradley.

What does that convergence mean?

It makes a great tradition even greater. I think it brings increased opportunities to both business and engineering students. It’s not so much about turning the ship around but pointing it in a different direction. BU is one of the only universities bold enough to get it done.

What do you see as your role in bringing about this convergence?

I see myself as an organizer, helping faculty to go forward, getting people aboard to see it happen. The most important thing is the curriculum.

Eventually there will be a new building on this campus for business and engineering. What will that mean?

The building will give us a strategic advantage. We’ll be able to move faster in providing the type of education that students need.

How has business education changed in the past 20 years?

There’s been more focus on entrepreneurship. That’s why convergence is so important. We can teach students better by giving them examples of business growth.

Technology has changed, of course. You can get information so much quicker now. Managers need to manage and plan with information coming as quickly as it is now.

Is there a problem with information overload?

It can be a problem if it inhibits creativity. There’s a need for a person to sit back and think.

Any good manager needs to manage time in respect to information that’s coming in. You can’t let that information overwhelm you. You also need to deal with people.

How is business doing as a major?

It’s still one of the most popular college majors in the country. There’s a great demand for business students. The actual number of business students is not increasing across the nation. It depends on the region. In some places, it’s up; in some, it’s down.

How do you perceive the business community in Peoria?

One of the great positives is Bradley’s connection with the business community here. There’s a great tradition of executive education. Any great business college has great business connections. Having Caterpillar in your back yard is a huge advantage not just for students but for the faculty.