Dean Named to Magazine's 'Most Influential' List

School of Management Dean Hasan Pirkul has been named one of the most influential people in Collin County by the magazine Inside Collin County Business.

The magazine’s editors chose Pirkul because of his accomplishments as dean and success in attracting top-notch faculty members and skilled students to the largest of UT Dallas’ seven schools.  

“Dean Pirkul was selected not only because of his leadership of the school, but also because of the accomplishments he has achieved therein,” explained Sam Bick, managing editor of Inside Collin County Business.  “He has drawn an exceptional staff and created influential programs, which have attracted high-quality students.  Having him as a resource is a big plus for the residents of Collin County.”

Candidates for the honor — 29 in all — were nominated by readers of the publication, including mayors and other influential people across Collin County.  It is the first year the list has been released.

Pirkul said he is especially pleased to be given the recognition in the Collin County business community, which he calls one of the most energetic in the nation.
           
“Our goals are to be a nationwide leader in management research and education, and to produce graduates capable of business leadership on a worldwide basis. The University’s location in this region — a living laboratory of vibrant business activity — is important to our success,” Pirkul said.

An internationally recognized expert in the field of management information systems, Pirkul holds a Ph.D. and a Master of Science degree from the University of Rochester.  He earned his bachelor’s degree from Bogazici University in Turkey.

Pirkul is also the Caruth Professor of Management Information Systems at UT Dallas.  He is the founding director of the Center for Information Technologies in Management, founding editor-in-chief of the Journal of Information Technology and Management and is the founding publisher of the award-winning magazine Management.

Before joining UT Dallas, he served on the faculty of the Max M. Fisher College of Business at the Ohio State University.

Other notable business leaders named to the list include Stan Graff, Bob Roder, Jack Graham, Phil Dyer and David Craig.

Inside Collin County Business was begun in 1994 by the former publisher of the Dallas Business Journal and an entrepreneur in the business journal industry, Jack Bick.  The publication offers business information sources and business-to-business marketing connections for the citizens of Collin County and its communities.  It is particularly well known for its annual “21 for the 21st Century” leadership recognition program.