Yale Daily News

Updated: Monday, November 23, 2009 1:03 a.m.

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SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT DEAN JOEL PODOLNY RESIGNS

In surprise announcement, dean says he will take senior position at Apple

Published Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Joel M. Podolny, the dean of the School of Management, has resigned to take a senior position at Apple, the University said Wednesday.

Podolny will depart Nov. 1, University President Richard Levin said in an e-mail message to the SOM community. His departure — after only three and a half years as dean — comes as a jolting surprise, as SOM recently overhauled its M.B.A. program and is in the midst of planning for the construction of its new campus.

"This is not a decision I have taken lightly, and I am sure it comes as a surprise to many of you," Podolny wrote in a message...

#1 By (Anonymous) 4:19p.m. on October 22, 2008

Apple, as in the company? What is Apple University?!

#2 By Sceptical 5:37p.m. on October 22, 2008

Apple University in Australia ... or Apple the computer company? I expect more from YDN reporting...

#3 By YaleProf 7:06p.m. on October 22, 2008

Great. He comes and completely changes what SOM is supposed to be, then leaves.

#4 By Jack 5:37a.m. on October 23, 2008

There's more to this story than we know. YDN, get your reporters on it. Something's not right.

#5 By SOMAlum 8:08a.m. on October 23, 2008

Not only that, he is leaving to be vice president of Apple University, which as the first poster noted, is what? And a vice president?

And his Dear John letter, especially with the space dedicated to his love affair with Apple computers, was hardly reassuring or convincing.

He makes all the changes to the curriculum and then jumps. It is hard to believe it wasn't for $s.

#6 By Anon 2:16p.m. on October 23, 2008

Well, it could be he realized what a horrible bunch of petty, small-minded self-absorbed whiners they are at SOM and had enough. "Separate circle of hell" comes to mind...

#7 By Max Strong 2:24p.m. on October 23, 2008

I did a great contribution to SOM people in his postion they are always getting offers. I wish him a lot of luck. may be he can help the apple store to New Haven.

#8 By BK Alum 3:10p.m. on October 23, 2008

This is embarrassing. It would be one thing if he had left to be the Dean of HBS (or even just a HBS prof I would have understood) but Apple University???

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