Robert Sumichrast honored with emeritus status
Robert Sumichrast, who retired as dean of Virginia Tech’s Pamplin College of Business earlier this year, has been conferred the title of dean emeritus by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors.
The emeritus title may be conferred on retired professors, associate professors, and administrative officers who are especially recommended to the board by Virginia Tech President Tim Sands in recognition of exemplary service to the university. Nominated individuals who are approved by the board receive a copy of the resolution and a certificate of appreciation.
A member of the Virginia Tech community for 28 years and appointed dean in 2013, Sumichrast provided clear and thoughtful leadership to the Pamplin College of Business, increasing the college’s research reputation and sense of community, while at the same time increasing both undergraduate and graduate enrollment.
Sumichrast contributed significantly to the college and university’s future through his vision for and leadership in design and fundraising to make the Global Business and Analytics Complex a reality. He also encouraged greater participation of alumni in the college and significant increases in philanthropic support for Pamplin.
Earlier in his Virginia Tech career, Sumichrast served as the college’s associate dean for graduate and international programs and director of the MBA program for four years, developing innovative new master’s degree programs. Rankings for the MBA program during his tenure as associate dean improved and enrollment in international programs, including study abroad, greatly expanded.
As a professor of business information technology, Sumichrast taught a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate courses in management science. He chaired or was a member of more than 40 graduate committees and helped those students develop successful careers in both academic and industrial settings. His research has been published in several of the most prestigious peer-reviewed journals in the fields of management science and operations management.
Sumichrast received his bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and a Ph.D. from Clemson University.
