Nov. 11, 2005
Eric Hirst Appointed Associate Dean for Graduate Programs

AUSTIN, Texas—Eric Hirst, professor of accounting and Ernst & Young faculty fellow, has accepted the position of associate dean for graduate programs at the McCombs School of Business, effective Sept. 1, 2006. He will replace current Dean Steven Salbu, who has served in the position for nearly five years. Salbu plans to return to full-time teaching and research at McCombs.

“Eric is well suited to lead our MBA programs, and I am delighted that he is willing to take on this critical role,” said George Gau, dean of the business school.

Hirst joined the faculty of The University of Texas at Austin in 1991 and currently teaches courses on financial accounting and financial statement analysis in the MBA programs at McCombs. His current research deals with how individual investors and professional analysts evaluate and use information from management earnings forecasts and other financial disclosures.

Over the summer, he will be working closely with Deans Gau and Salbu as well as the incoming senior associate dean for academic affairs, Janet Dukerich, to ensure a smooth transition.

“Eric has earned the reputation as an outstanding researcher and teacher dedicated to MBA students and to program quality,” Gau added. “His experience in many facets of our MBA programs prepares him well for his new role.”

Professor Hirst holds a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. His research has been published in Journal of Accounting Research, The Accounting Review, Contemporary Accounting Research, Auditing: A Journal of Practice & Theory, and Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes. His research has been recognized nationally by the American Accounting Association and also at the McCombs School. He was awarded the Joe D. Beasley Award for Teaching Excellence in the University of Texas MBA Core , the Outstanding Core Teacher at INSEAD, and has been selected for the McCombs MBA Faculty Honor Role numerous times.