This story was updated at 4:15 p.m. with quotes from Katz. 

Jeffrey Katz, the dean of the Gordon Ford College of Business, will resign. 

“It’s been the highlight of my professional career to be dean,” Katz said. 

Provost and vice president of academic affairs David Lee said Katz announced his resignation to the college of business faculty this afternoon. 

“Jeff has been an absolutely outstanding dean,” Lee said. 

Katz’s resignation will go into effect on June 30. Lee said Katz will return to the college next spring in a faculty position and teach in the department of management. 

He said it has always been a desire of his to return to the classroom before retiring from the profession, which he said he plans to do in five or so years. 

“It was always my hope to return to teaching on a full-time basis before I retire,” he said. 

Katz said serving as dean has been a wonderful experience and he’s certain the business college will continue to be successful in the future. 

Katz is also part of the 10-member Budget Council, which has been working to address WKU’s multi-million dollar deficit. 

Katz was the former associate dean of graduate programs and professor of management at Kansas State University. He started as dean on June 27, 2011. 

This resignation makes Katz the fourth dean to leave, or be eliminated, from WKU this academic year. 

Sam Evans, dean of the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, announced his retirement back in August. Neale Chumbler, dean of the College of Health and Human Services, was named the dean of the University of North Texas‘ College of Health and Public Service. His tenure will begin July 1 of this year. Dennis George, dean of University College, will no longer serve as University College dean as the college will be eliminated effective July 1. 

Katz is the highest paid of the academic deans, his salary is $185,772. 

When asked if the number of deans WKU would be losing was worrisome, Lee said he wasn’t terribly concerned about the empty positions. 

He also added that there will be interim deans for the college of health and college of business this coming year. He also said progress is being made to find a permanent dean for the College of Education.