Natrona native Stephen Ferris named dean of IUP's Eberly College of Business

Natrona native Stephen Ferris, dean of the Miller College of Business at Ball State University, said it’s unusual for strong professional opportunities to align with personal interests.

So when a position opened at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Ferris jumped at the chance to move closer to home.

“I still have all my black and gold Steelers stuff, so it’s perfect,” Ferris said.

He will make the move from Muncie, Ind., to Indiana, Pa., July 1.

Ferris will serve as the dean of IUP’s Eberly College of Business following a national search by the university.

A 1973 graduate of St. Joseph High School, Ferris said he doesn’t get the chance to come home often. But he’s glad that will change.

“I still have family and friends over there in Brackenridge and Leechburg,” he said. “My 50th class reunion is coming up in Freeport, so I’ll get to be in town for that and reconnect with a lot of people.”

Growing up in Natrona, Ferris’ dad worked at Allegheny Ludlum in Brackenridge. Ferris earned his bachelor’s degree in math and French from Duquesne University, where he met his wife, who was from McKeesport.

He went on to earn a doctorate in finance, with a minor in macroeconomics and quantitative methods, and his MBA in finance from the University of Pittsburgh.

Ferris also is a retired Navy commander with a specialty in logistics.

“I was deployed for a year in 2007 to Kuwait and Iraq,” he said, adding that time in the military taught him a lot about leadership.

“I learned many qualities that I use as a dean,” he said. “It’s important how you treat people. You learn a lot of empathy, and that’s important for leadership under stress.”

During his military career, Ferris earned a degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College, a diploma with distinction from the U.S. Naval War College and a diploma from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.

“Dr. Ferris will be a great addition to IUP’s administrative team,” said Lara Luetkehans, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “He’s a seasoned academic leader with a focus on student success and innovation in academic programming.”

Ferris began his career as a finance professor at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va.

Before working the past four years at Ball State, Ferris was dean of the college of business at the University of Colorado and also worked at the University of Missouri for 25 years.

“I am excited about returning home to Western Pennsylvania and becoming part of the IUP community,” Ferris said. “The school has strong national recognition, and I’m eager to help prepare a strong career-ready workforce for PA.

“It’s a nice combination of a strong professional opportunity and a chance to come back home.”