Messages from the Dean
A Message from the Dean, Dr. Richard Buttimer
February 16
Dear friends,
The year ahead holds much promise for the University of North Florida Coggin College of Business. Of course, it should hold promise after a prolific 2023 when we saw several exciting threshold moments.
When reflecting upon what we have accomplished in the past year, I am amazed at the astounding success stories. As you may know, the Florida Legislature approved $26.3 million for a major renovation of the Coggin College of Business building on UNF’s campus and a merger with the neighboring building. The project will become one larger structure that will be connected providing more offices and classrooms for all, a major step in the evolution of Coggin College.
We also began the Blackstone LaunchPad operations following a $500,000 gift in 2023 from Blackstone. Blackstone LaunchPad opened in fall 2023 in the Coggin College building. Co-directors Dr. Martin Luytjes and Diane Denslow are helping entrepreneurs and small business startups from multiple disciplines across UNF’s campus. The Blackstone LaunchPad is partnering with the Florida Small Business Development Center at UNF.
We also held a very successful joint FinTech Symposium with the College of Computing, Engineering and Construction in October that drew dozens of leaders who took part in about a half dozen discussion panels in the Adam W. Herbert University Center.
The event was sponsored by Dun & Bradstreet along with Mendix. It’s clear North Florida’s top business leaders know that Coggin College, College of Computing, Engineering and Construction and UNF are the leading institutions supporting the rapidly rising FinTech sector of Jacksonville.
The Coggin College of Business and UNF saw solid enrollment figures this academic year. Fall 2023 had 16,603 students enrolled for all of UNF.Out of that, 3,061 enrolled in the Coggin College of Business. Both figures are up over 2022 enrollment numbers.
All indicators show positive and upbeat progress at the Coggin College of Business and UNF in 2024. I look forward to sharing developments with you as we hire new faculty, expand academic programs and grow in our role as the most influential business institution in North Florida. Good luck in 2024.
Sincerely and respectfully,
Dean, Coggin College of Business
University of North Florida
Past Updates - 2024
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January 27
A Message from the Dean, Dr. Richard Buttimer
January 27
2023 is shaping up to be a promising year!
The University of North Florida Coggin College of Business ended 2022 with multiple new additions to our faculty. Now I have the pleasure of announcing a new addition to our faculty roster who is one of the foremost authorities in transportation and logistics. Dr. Herbert Kotzab comes to the Coggin College from the University of Bremen in Germany and joined our faculty at the beginning of 2023.
The Crowley Center was established in 2021 following a $2.5-million endowment from Crowley Maritime. The Center’s mission is to be a world leader in research and education in the transportation, logistics and supply-chain industry.Dr. Kotzab’s Curriculum Vitae is extensive and impressive. His expertise includes strategic logistics and supply chain operations; digitalization in the supply chain; global supply chain management; marketing channels and strategic distribution management; retail marketing, retail logistics and efficient consumer response; service operations; and supply chain analysis and logistics audit.
Dr. Kotzab held several esteemed academic positions at multiple institutions throughout Europe and beyond in the past 25 years. His most recent post was as the Chair of Logistics Management at the University of Bremen, where he was also a professor in that discipline.
He also held several professorships and research positions at the Copenhagen Business School and was a research associate at the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration in Austria. In addition, he was a visiting professor at other institutions ranging from Italy to Scotland to Malaysia to the United States to other locales.
Dr. Kotzab has received varied awards and recognitions and participated in research projects and industry engagement involving consultancy work. He was also active in editorial contributions to multiple academic and industry publications and journals.
Dr. Kotzab will take the Crowley Center for Transportation and Logistics to the next level. I have full confidence and faith in Dr. Kotzab’s ability to propel the Coggin College of Business into an exciting future while developing the most skilled and prepared graduates who will enter the transportation and logistics field.
Best of luck in the New Year and I hope you have a productive and prosperous 2023.
Sincerely and respectfully,
Richard J. Buttimer Jr., Ph.D.
Dean, Coggin College of Business
University of North FloridaLearn more about Transportation and Logistics:Learn more about the Crowley Center for Transportation and Logistics:
Past Updates - 2023
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February 21
A Message from the Dean, Dr. Richard Buttimer
February 21
Dear Colleague,
We continue to move well into 2023 with more promising events and exciting developments at the UNF Coggin College of Business. This year’s Spring Business C
areer Fair presented by Corporate Traffic Logistics will take place March 1 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Adam W. Herbert University Center, Building 43, on the UNF campus. I cannot overstate the importance of this event for our students and alumni. This is our specialty since this Career Fair organized in conjunction with UNF Career Services focuses on business aspects as part of Career Week
Our students and alumni seeking part-time and full-time employment are the primary targets of this Career Fair along with employers. Our graduates and business partners seeking recruits from well-trained and educated professionals are bound to reap benefits from this Career Fair. Complete information on how to register and participate in this outstanding business event with far-reaching implications can be found here.
Along those lines, we are highlighting our Executive Programs at the Coggin College of Business. These programs offer unique educational opportunities for business leaders who might already have their business degrees and are accomplished professionals who want to enhance their performance and acumen with an extra emphasis on executive performance.
Our Executive Programs teach upper-level skills that go well beyond theory and move practicing executives towards action that applies to the real world of business at the next level. Do not hesitate to view our offerings for practicing business leaders here.
These developments emphasize the Coggin College of Business and UNF's philosophy: Connect. Innovate. Engage. It is part of the reason why UNF is No. 1 in the state university system in percentage of graduates employed in Florida.
I look forward to providing more updates on exciting developments about the Coggin College of Business soon.
Sincerely and respectfully,
Richard J. Buttimer Jr., Ph.D.
Dean, Coggin College of Business
University of North Florida -
March 7
A Message from the Dean, Dr. Richard Buttimer
March 7
Dear Colleague,
I’d like to take a moment to point out one of the most important days of the year for not only the Coggin College of Business, but for our entire University community. Wednesday, March 22 is our annual University of North Florida Giving Day.
This unique day is dedicated to supporters of Coggin College who can make a difference. We need your help to fulfill the aspirations of so many of our students who want to be part of the business community and
pursue a successful career.A gift on this day can make a difference in a variety of programs, academics, diversity initiatives and so much more. As part of our Coggin College of Business family, you are valued immeasurably. UNF Giving Day is your chance to get involved and pass along that value to the next generation of Ospreys.
The generosity of Ospreys is what contributes to the Princeton Review naming Coggin College among the top business schools. We were named on the Princeton list again in 2023, our 16th year in a row, and that could not be accomplished without an extensive support network.
You can also help our students at any time before March 22 by going to give.unf.edu/givingday and making your selection for the Coggin College of Business.
Here’s your chance to take fulfilling and rewarding action by getting involved in UNF Giving Day. If you need any additional information about giving to Coggin College, you can email us at coggin.development@unf.edu.
This is your opportunity to Connect. Innovate. Engage. There’s no better way to exemplify those virtues than participating in UNF Giving Day. Thank you for your involvement and I look forward to updating you on more Coggin College developments soon.
Sincerely and respectfully,
Richard J. Buttimer Jr., Ph.D.
Dean, Coggin College of Business
University of North Florida -
October 25
A Message from the Dean, Dr. Richard Buttimer
October 25
Dear Colleague,
I’d like to take a moment to point out one of the most important days of the year for not only the Coggin College of Business, but for our entire University community. Wednesday, March 22 is our annual University of North Florida Giving Day.
This unique day is dedicated to supporters of Coggin College who can make a difference. We need your help to fulfill the aspirations of so many of our students who want to be part of the business community and pursue a successful career.
A gift on this day can make a difference in a variety of programs, academics, diversity initiatives and so much more. As part of our Coggin College of Business family, you are valued immeasurably. UNF Giving Day is your chance to get involved and pass along that value to the next generation of Ospreys.
The generosity of Ospreys is what contributes to the Princeton Review naming Coggin College among the top business schools. We were named on the Princeton list again in 2023, our 16th year in a row, and that could not be accomplished without an extensive support network.
You can also help our students at any time before March 22 by going to give.unf.edu/givingday and making your selection for the Coggin College of Business.
Here’s your chance to take fulfilling and rewarding action by getting involved in UNF Giving Day. If you need any additional information about giving to Coggin College, you can email us at coggin.development@unf.edu.
This is your opportunity to Connect. Innovate. Engage. There’s no better way to exemplify those virtues than participating in UNF Giving Day. Thank you for your involvement and I look forward to updating you on more Coggin College developments soon.
Sincerely and respectfully,
Richard J. Buttimer Jr., Ph.D.
Dean, Coggin College of Business
University of North Florida
Past Updates - 2022
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November 1
A Message from the Dean, Dr. Richard Buttimer
November 1
Dear Colleague,
I’d like to take a moment to acknowledge some outstanding new personnel additions to the College. Frankly, in my view, the entire University of North Florida community benefits from these new members, though we here at the Coggin College of Business feel particularly fortunate.
As UNF celebrates our 50th anniversary this year, I’m proud to introduce four new faculty members joining us for the 2022-2023 academic year. They all bring a wealth of expertise and experience in business education and academic scholarship. Our new personnel additions are:
Dr. Lei Gao
Assistant Professor of Accounting & FinanceDr. Gao joins us at the Coggin College of business following several years of academic excellence at the University of Akron.
Dr. Aakrit Joshi
Assistant Professor of EconomicsDr. Joshi comes to the College after earning his Ph.D. at the University of New Mexico. He has a stellar list of accomplishments and scholarships.
Dr. William Montford
Assistant Professor of MarketingDr. Montford joins us after earning his Ph.D. in marketing at Florida State University. Dr. Montford brings a biography loaded with research projects.
Dr. Inga Timmerman
Assistant Professor of Accounting & FinanceWhile Dr. Timmerman earned her Ph.D. from Florida Atlantic University in 2013, she’s developed a distinguished career as an author in the fields of finance and financial planning, and is a certified financial planner.The experience and scholarly pursuits demonstrated by these new faculty members makes me marvel at the continued success of the Coggin College of Business. Welcome to our new professors.
Sincerely, Richard J. Buttimer Jr., Ph.D.
Dean, Coggin College of Business
University of North Florida -
September 22
A Message from the Dean, Dr. Richard Buttimer
September 22
Dear Colleague,
Returning to the University of North Florida campus for fall semester this year proved the institution is more vibrant than ever. We have more incoming students now compared to any other year and your support plays no small part in our growth at UNF and the Coggin College of Business.
The 2023 UNF fall enrollment has brought 3,100 incoming freshmen, its largest freshman class in university history. The Coggin College of Business has 523 freshmen joining the college. That’s a 57% increase over 2021 and to put it in context, our incoming freshmen figure is up over the 2019 and 2018 freshmen numbers at the Coggin College before the COVID-19 outbreak when we had 311 and 317 incoming freshmen respectively.
The astounding growth is not just limited to freshmen. The overall enrollment for Coggin College of Business is 3,077 students with 2,562 undergraduates and 515 graduate students.
Those impressive additions to the Coggin College of Business come after the Princeton Review ranked our college as having one of the best graduate programs in the United States. It’s the 15th consecutive year Princeton Review has placed the Coggin College of Business on that list.
Meanwhile, all of our progress comes while the University is celebrating its 50th anniversary, which allows us all to reflect on what UNF has given to us and, more importantly, what we have given to the university. Our half-century mark was crowned by receiving the R2 Doctoral University High Research Activity designation from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Learning.
Adding to the excitement on campus, UNF has a new president. Dr. Moez Limayem officially took office as UNF’s seventh president on August 1 and is fast at work connecting with various parts of our community.You are a valuable part of our College family. We continue to build upon our solid foundation with the help of your contributions and I thank you for investing in the future of the Coggin College of Business.With deep gratitude and best regards,Richard J. Buttimer Jr., Ph.D.
Dean, Coggin College of Business
University of North Florida
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