Hardin Named Senior Associate Dean at UA Business School

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Dr. J. Michael Hardin has been named senior associate dean of the Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration at The University of Alabama, effective May 16.

Hardin replaces Dr. Robert Ingram who will return to teaching accounting. Hardin is currently the associate dean for research, and he will continue to have responsibility for the research function of the business school, in addition to the activities of senior associate dean, according to Dr. J. Barry Mason, dean of the business school.

“Words cannot adequately express my appreciation for the service of Rob Ingram during the past four years,” Mason said. “The Culverhouse School of Accountancy will be fortunate to once again have him as a full-time member of the accounting faculty.

“Rob has been the primary force in continuing reaccreditation initiatives,” Mason said. “He has also been singularly responsible for upgrading the quality of our graduate programs, including higher test scores, higher levels of financial support, and a heightened focus on recruiting graduate students who are likely to succeed in the college.

“Rob also was a key person in the development of the new Executive MBA Program we will begin offering in Huntsville this fall,” Mason said. “Additionally, all of us were fortunate to work with him in the recent restructuring of the undergraduate program framework in the college.

“Finally, Rob has brought a heightened level of financial accountability while also ensuring that we continue to make advances in technology. His strategic thinking has been a key element as we continue to advance in quality as measured by national standards.”

“We also are very fortunate to have an individual of Mike Hardin’s caliber willing to assume these new and very important responsibilities. Dr. Hardin is known nationally for his academic research, and his background in technology and data management will enhance his ability to help guide the College from a technology standpoint,” Mason said.

Hardin is a professor of statistics and a specialist in data mining and knowledge discovery, data visualization, data warehousing, machine learning, statistical classification models, data management and collection methodologies, research design, informatics, the applications of statistical methodologies in the study of aging, and biostatistics.

He earned his bachelor’s of arts degrees in math and philosophy at the University of West Florida, a master’s of science degree at Florida State University, and a master’s of art and a doctorate from The University of Alabama. He also holds a master’s degree in divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.