By Anne Steele, News Staff

Dean of the College of Business Administration (CBA) Thomas Moore stepped down Tuesday, citing medical reasons.

Moore gave notice to Northeastern officials at the start of the spring term, but officially left his post this week.

“It is very sad, and sometimes disastrous, when an organization unexpectedly loses its CEO. In many ways, the College is still in shock regarding Dean Moore’s health situation. He is in our thoughts and prayers as he works to regain good health,” William Crittenden, senior associate dean, dean of faculty and professor of strategy, said in an e-mail to the News.

Crittenden said the College was aware in late fall Moore would take a leave of absence but his condition initially came as a surprise.

“No one knew of his health condition so it was a surprise in that regard,” he said.

CBA students received an e-mail Wednesday from the undergraduate business office.

“Dean Moore has done a great job in leading the College – continuing to build our reputation nationally and internationally,” according to the e-mail. “Our thoughts and prayers are with him as he addresses his medical issues.”

Harry Lane, professor of International Business and director of the Institute of Global Innovation Management, is stepping in as acting dean, something Crittenden calls “the best possible scenario.”

Lane’s appointment is expected to keep the CBA moving forward.

“The faculty and administrative leadership of the College are completely supportive of the direction the College is going. We all look forward to working with Harry to continue along this path,” Coleen Pantalone, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs, said in an e-mail.

Crittenden said Lane has been an extremely active member of the CBA community for almost 12 years. He has worked with undergraduate students in the renowned Bachelor of Science in International Business program, with graduate students and with CBA Corporate Relations and Executive Education.

“Importantly, Dean Lane appears to have the respect and support of upper administration,” Crittenden said. “This is critical in that it should allow him the freedom to make decisions necessary to maintain and enhance the College’s trajectory.”

The search for a new dean is already set in motion.

“We had started to operate very quickly in December with the idea that he was going to leave,” Crittenden said. “A key next step is creating a dean’s search committee that can represent our faculty, students, co-op coordinators, staff and external stakeholders.”

Crittenden said Moore could return in a different position.

“He communicated to the provost that it is his intention to go on a permanent leave because of his health condition,” Crittenden said. “So if he were to come back it would not be in the dean’s position. So we definitely are going on a search.”

Crittenden said the undergraduate student profile under Moore has been significantly enhanced.

“His experience and direction will be missed. He’s put the business school on the map, nationally and internationally,” freshman business major David Ryan said.

Under Moore, the CBA developed an online MBA program.

“His leadership rejuvenated our executive education program,” Crittenden said.

Crittenden said part of Moore’s legacy is a strong college-wide management team.

“When first apprised that he needed to deal with significant health issues, his senior management identified what needed to be attended to and seamlessly moved forward,” said Crittenden.

Crittenden said a search typically takes about a ten-month duration; a normal cycle starts in the fall to get someone in place for September.

“Because we’re getting a late start, we’re off cycle. The ideal would be to see someone in [the position] in January of 2012. However, my best guess would be that we’re likely to see somebody for the summer of 2012.”

Michael Sabo, Student Government Association (SGA) vice president for academic affairs, said SGA’s role in this is to keep students informed on changes made.

SGA will also select an undergraduate to sit on the new Dean Search Committee to replace Dean Stephen Zoloth of Bouvé Colleg of Health Sciences, who announced his decision to step down in December.

“Our role is to advise and offer student perspective in such administrative matters as the selection of a new dean,” Sabo said.

Crittenden said he doesn’t believe students will notice adverse effects from the leadership change.

He also said that faculty should see little disruption in their regular teaching, research and service activities.

“Our bottom line is that we believe this transition, although personally difficult given our admiration for Dean Moore, should not impact our undergraduate or graduate students or their programs,” Crittenden said.