Christopher Shook

Western Kentucky University Provost Terry Ballman announced a new dean for the university’s Gordon Ford College of Business on Monday.

Christopher Shook, who previously held an endowed deanship in the University of Montana College of Business, will assume his duties at WKU on July 1, a news release said.

“When I visited WKU, I was struck by not only the beauty of campus, but also by the strength and passion for students and discovery on the part of the faculty and staff in the Gordon Ford College of Business,” Shook said in the release. “I look forward to joining Provost Ballman and the entire Academic Affairs team and getting to work making a difference in the lives of students in the region and beyond.”

Shook replaces Jeff Katz, who served as the business college dean from July 27, 2011, to June 30, 2018. Catherine Carey, an economics professor, has been serving as interim dean.

“Dr. Chris Shook is an excellent choice for the Gordon Ford College of Business Deanship,” Ballman said in the release. “His strategy-driven student and community-focused leadership experience has well-prepared him to assume this significant role.”

Shook is a certified public accountant and holds a doctorate in business administration from Louisiana State University, the news release said.

He received his bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Northern Colorado, his CPA certificate from the Colorado State Board of Accountancy and his Master of Business Administration from the University of Mississippi.

“I am thrilled to be joining the Hilltopper Nation,” Shook said. “As a first-generation college graduate, I was drawn to the mission set forth by President (Timothy) Caboni and the strategic plan ‘Climbing to Greater Heights.’ The strength of the foundations of WKU and the Gordon Ford College of Business, the support of the local business community, as well as the unlimited number of opportunities to innovate business education, were all aspects of my initial attraction to the opportunity.”