Meet more deans

Deans you missed last week

Your college dean might seem intimidating, however, contrary to the common stereotypes, deans are humans too. 

Stephen Durst 

College of Pharmacy 

Durst’s favorite places on campus are the lobby of the Hagerman Pharmacy Building and Williams Auditorium. The White Coat Ceremony and the Hooding Ceremony are very special and closely associated with the Auditorium. He is inspired by the people that he sees every day working to improve life for others. A lot of individuals in health care fall into that category but so do volunteers that work to benefit a particular segment of the population. 

Durst has two quotations that he favors. The first is from Benjamin Franklin, “A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.” The second is from the noted physician and educator Sir William Osler. Osler said: “The best preparation for tomorrow is to do today’s work superbly well.” Both are his favorites because Durst believes that they remind us to be open to new approaches and to do our work well. 

Durst’s favorite movie is “North by Northwest” and his favorite novel is “The Grace of Great Things: Creativity and Innovation” by Robert Grudin. He enjoys traveling to Isle Royale and being with family members. 

David Nicol 

College of Business 

Although Nicol was not available to comment, the College of Business website describes his prestigious accomplishments in education. Nicol has a special interest in international business but he primarily teaches in the area of Strategic Planning and Analysis. For more information, please visit the Ferris College of Business website. 

Didn’t see the dean of your college? Click here to see last week’s installment of Meet the deans.