OXFORD, Miss. – Mark Wilder has been named dean of the
Patterson School of Accountancy at the University of
Mississippi.
Wilder joined the UM faculty in 1993 after completing
doctoral studies in accountancy at Florida State
University. He was named interim dean of accountancy last
year, replacing Morris Stocks, who was appointed to a newly
created senior vice chancellor post, later moving to
provost.
“I am extremely pleased that Mark will be leading the
Patterson School of Accountancy,” Stocks said. “In his 15
years at the University of Mississippi, he has demonstrated
his commitment to the teaching, research and service
mission of the school. The future of the Patterson School
of Accountancy is bright because of Dr. Wilder’s
leadership.”
Wilder’s appointment is subject to approval by the Board of
Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning.
Wilder said he is honored to have been named to lead the
Patterson School.
“I am grateful to Provost Stocks and Chancellor Khayat for
the confidence they have shown in me. I also appreciate the
support of our faculty throughout this process.”
When asked about his plans for the school, Wilder said, “I
have a goal for our CPA exam results to be among the very
best in the SEC. I also want our faculty to have more
publications in the elite accounting journals, so that our
reputation in the academic community will be further
enhanced.
“A key priority, though, is for us to improve in these
areas while in no way sacrificing our top strengths. We
have a decades-old tradition of recruiting good students
into accounting, being a very student oriented and teaching
oriented faculty, staying closely connected with our alumni
and helping our students get placed in good professional
positions. I am firmly committed to make sure we continue
to strengthen and build on this tradition.”
Wilder also credited the school’s alumni for contributing
to its ongoing success, including its ranking in the top 30
accounting programs nationally for the past three years.
“Our alumni are a key reason that we have such a successful
program,” he said. “I believe that we have the most loyal,
faithful and generous alumni anywhere. I am very grateful
for their support.”
Wilder’s achievements at UM include the campuswide Elsie
Hood Outstanding Teacher Award in 2005 and the university’s
Faculty Achievement Award in 2004 – the top two faculty
awards at Ole Miss. Since 2004, he has directed the
school’s revamped for-credit student internship program. He
also received the Mississippi Society of Certified Public
Accountants Educator of the Year Award in 2006.
A certified public accountant, he is involved in
professional service, including a term as president of the
Northeast Chapter of the MSCPA and a term as treasurer of
the MSCPA, as well as a two-year term on the MSCPA Board of
Governors.
Wilder received an MBA from the University of South Alabama
and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama. His
primary teaching areas are in financial accounting,
including the two intermediate accounting courses. He also
is co-instructor of a doctoral seminar in financial
accounting. He has conducted research in a variety of
areas, including earnings forecasting, financial reporting
and issues facing the profession.
A native of Jacksonville, Ala., Wilder is married to the
former Denise “Dede” English of Pensacola, Fla. Their
children are Sam and Zach.
For more information on the Patterson School of
Accountancy, go to
http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/accountancy/