David Spalding, Raisbeck Endowed Dean of the Ivy College of Business and vice president for economic development and industry relations (EDIR), will retire from Iowa State during the summer of 2025.
David Spalding
Spalding, the longest serving Business dean in Iowa State history, began his service in 2013 after serving eight years at Dartmouth College, including as senior vice president and senior advisor to the president. He was reappointed as dean in 2018 and 2023. Spalding was appointed to lead EDIR in 2023 after serving as interim vice president since 2018.
"David has been an exceptional leader of both the Ivy College of Business and our economic development programs," said President Wendy Wintersteen. "His work has made a profound difference for our students, faculty and staff, helping them realize academic and entrepreneurial success while also generating economic growth across Iowa's 99 counties."
The searches for Spalding's successors will begin in the coming months.
Spalding's achievements as dean include growing undergraduate and graduate enrollment to record levels, establishing new academic programs to address Iowa workforce demand, completing a 45,000 square foot addition to the Gerdin Business Building, unprecedented success in fundraising including a $50 million gift to name the Ivy College of Business, raising the college's profile and record high rankings in "U.S. News & World Report."
During his tenure as vice president of EDIR, the university was recognized with numerous awards for its work in economic development, including the top award from the Innovation and Economic Prosperity universities in 2023. In 2021, the ISU Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship won the model program award from the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship and in 2022 received the NASDAQ Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence Award from the Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers.
The Ivy College of Business has 4,820 students, 146 faculty and 88 staff among six academic departments and 14 undergraduate and nine graduate degree programs. One of only 2% of schools globally to be accredited in both business and accounting by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the college is known for its high-impact programs, including entrepreneurship, supply chain management and MBA programs, as well as its affordability compared to peers.
The office of economic development and industry relations helps external stakeholders harness Iowa State's unique capabilities and services, including the Center for Industrial Research and Service, Iowa Small Business Development Center, ISU Research Park, office of innovation commercialization and Pappajohn Center.
