Bath Spa University and Shorelight Education Announce New Dean of School of Business and Entrepreneurship

BATH, United Kingdom, Nov. 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. William G. Durden, the former president of Dickinson College, was named the Dean of the new School of Business and Entrepreneurship (SBE) at Bath Spa University in the United Kingdom. The SBE was founded in partnership with Massachusetts-based Shorelight Education and Bath Spa University to equip students with the necessary skills needed to create and build a business in a globally connected world.

"Dr. Durden has spent his entire career transforming the lives of his students as a teacher and as a leader in higher education," said Tom Dretler, CEO of Shorelight Education. "His unparalleled experience and knowledge will be a tremendous asset to Bath Spa University's School of Business and Entrepreneurship as it begins to makes its mark as a preeminent destination for the next generation of global business leaders."

Prior to serving as president of Dickinson College from 1999 to 2013, Dr. Durden was a member of the German department at The Johns Hopkins University for 16 years and executive director of the Center for Talented Youth (CTY). Dr. Durden also served, during his Hopkins' engagement, for 11 years as a senior education consultant to the U.S. Department of State, chaired the advisory committee on Exceptional Children and Youth, and currently holds a joint appointment as research professor in the school of education at Johns Hopkins and chair of the advisory board of the Council for the International Exchange of Scholars. In 2001, Dr. Durden provided a tutorial to former U.K. Prime Minister, Tony Blair, regarding education in the United States. Dr. Durden has also studied internationally as a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Basel in Switzerland, the University of Munster and the University of Freiburg in Germany.

"Bath Spa University has a strong reputation for excellence across their many disciplines, and I am thrilled at this extraordinary opportunity to continue that proud tradition working with aspiring business students from all over the world at the new School of Business and Entrepreneurship," said Dr. Durden. "By combining strong academics with a practical business education that embraces innovation and entrepreneurship, we will prepare the leaders of tomorrow to make an impact in the global economy."

The three year Bachelor of Business Administration degree offered by SBE inspires entrepreneurial minds from all over the world to pursue their interests in one of four distinct concentrations: enterprise innovation, design management, social entrepreneurship and emerging technology. The curriculum and culture promotes real-life applied learning in a community of like-minded designers, developers and creatives. SBE is located in Bath, United Kingdom, a center of innovation known for attracting major global players and spawning a new generation of tech companies, incubators and makerspaces. The inaugural class will enroll in the fall of 2015.

"We are delighted to welcome Dr. Durden as our new Dean of Bath Spa University's School of Business and Entrepreneurship," said Professor Christina Slade, Vice Chancellor of Bath Spa University. "Dr. Durden is respected internationally for his record of bringing out the best in his students and we are looking forward to his leadership of this exciting new endeavor in the weeks and months to come."

Dr. Durden's appointment comes on the heels of Shorelight Education's recent announcement of the Massachusetts Community College Challenge that will provide a full scholarship, housing and airfare for two Massachusetts qualified community college students to study at SBE in the fall of 2015. The application process for the scholarship will be announced in the coming weeks.

About Shorelight Education
Shorelight Education is a U.S.-based education company that is focused on partnering with leading nonprofit universities to increase access and drive success for international students, boost institutional growth and enhance an institution's global footprint. Our purpose is to Educate the World – a call to action that defines our people and our point of view. We are committed to inspiring change that creates more opportunities for students and cross-cultural exchange, ultimately leading to better, more healthy, peaceful, respectful, compassionate and sustainable communities. www.shorelight.com

About Bath Spa University
Bath Spa University is a leading university for creativity, culture and enterprise, and offers pre-degree study, undergraduate degrees and postgraduate degrees supported by a strong outcomes-based provision. Their offer is unique and compelling, providing students with a university experience that is distinctive, challenging and fulfilling, allowing them to embark on their future careers with confidence and success. Bath Spa University is located in a World Heritage city in the U.K. For more information visit www.bathspa.ac.uk.

SOURCE Shorelight Education

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