Esteemed UD business dean dies after long cancer battle
John Mittelstaedt, dean of the University of Dayton’s School of Business Administration, died Tuesday after a long battle with cancer, the university said in a release.
“Mittelstaedt was an academically astute, innovative and inspiring leader for the SBA,” said Provost Paul Benson. “He connected deeply with the Catholic and Marianist mission of the school and the university, quickly becoming a cherished — indeed, a beloved — colleague on our academic affairs team.”
Mittelstaedt, dean since 2017, led the business school through the re-accreditation process with AACSB International, the oldest and most prestigious accreditation organization for business education in the world. Achieving the AACSB seal of approval is considered the gold standard for business education. The University of Dayton is one of 189 that hold accreditation in business and accounting, UD said in a statement.
President Eric F. Spina said Mittelstaedt’s legacy will reflect his humanity and people-centeredapproach to leading the school, in addition to his courage during his illness.
“John loved the people of the University, and they loved him right back,” Spina said. “His genuine care and concern for eachmemberof the SBA community made the school better and is a lasting legacy of his deanship.”
With a career ofmore than 20years as an administrator, scholar and teacher before working at UD, Mittelstaedt had experience in macromarketing, especially in the areas of sustainability, religion, markets and international trade. He held a doctorate inmarketing fromthe University of Iowa, a master’s degree in theological studies fromHarvard Divinity School, and a bachelor’s degree in physics and religion fromSaint Olaf College.
He and his wife Patrice Noel have two children, Matthew, whowill graduate from UDinMay, andMarlow, a student in the Oakwood school district.