After 29 years of service to students, alumni, fellow faculty, and the College of Charleston community, Howard F. Rudd, dean emeritus and professor of management and leadership, is set to hold his final class lecture today. The School of Business is hosting the “Last Lecture” special event to mark Rudd’s retirement celebration in Wells Fargo Auditorium at 10:50 a.m. during his regularly scheduled class. His final lecture will be standing-room-only and feature distinguished guest lecturers including George Spaulding, the Honorable Alex Sanders, Tommy Baker, and Anita Zucker who will reflect on the leadership style and legacy of Rudd over the past three decades.
The “Last Lecture” agenda is consistent with Rudd’s hallmark class syllabus where prominent CEOs, presidents, and other executives take the podium and share their experiences and different leadership styles with the students.
“All of us graduates owe Howard some appreciation for all that he helped to accomplish at our business school,” says Scott Cracraft, 1983 business alumnus, managing director, Lynch Cracraft Wealth Management/Raymond James & Associates, Inc., and member of the School of Business Board of Governors. “This occasion rightly celebrates someone whom many of us have come to love well beyond the classroom.”
Rudd began teaching at the College of Charleston in 1984 when the business department consisted of business and economics majors with 21 faculty members spread across campus and one administrative assistant to keep pace with his energetic initiatives. He was instrumental in developing the School of Business and Economics (first established school at the College) under College President Harry Lightsey. In 1986, he was named the first dean of the business school, and remained at the helm until 1997 when he returned to the faculty as dean emeritus.
Later, Rudd focused his energies in the classroom, particularly in his leadership and management courses, and on scholarly research. During his tenure the School substantially grew, received its first AACSB accreditation in 1988, and established the Board of Governors advisory group.
