Dean, Walker College of Business

• Ph.D., University of Tennessee
• M.S., Appalachian State University
• B.S., Appalachian State University

As a parent, alumnus, and Dean of the Walker College of Business, Dr. Randy Edwards is a long-time member of the Appalachian Family. His son, Joel, graduated in 2005 with degrees in Marketing and Computer Information Systems and his other son, Jonathan, is a junior with a major in Public Relations. Joel and Jonathan have had great experiences at Appalachian, including serving as Student Ambassadors.

Randy Edwards and his two brothers are first-generation college students and they all graduated from Appalachian. Randy earned the Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting in 1977 and the Master of Science in Accounting in 1978. Randy’s wife, Margaret, earned her degree in Special Education from Appalachian.

During Edwards’ time as a graduate student at Appalachian, the chairperson of the Department of Accounting provided him with the opportunity to teach a section of Accounting Principles each semester. This opportunity truly changed his life. He worked as an auditor at Ernst & Ernst (now Ernst & Young) after graduation but he returned to Appalachian in January 1981 to teach full-time in the Department of Accounting. He later earned his Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee. He taught in the Department of Accounting for many years and served as department chairperson for 13 years. He became dean of the Walker College of Business in 2005.

Edwards believes that the Walker College of Business is large enough to provide students with many opportunities but small enough so that students are able to interact with faculty members. Students are able to meet with the CEO’s of major companies through the Boyles Distinguished CEO Lecture Series. All Walker College of Business students are now required to meet an international requirement and many students do so by participating in study abroad trips. A very special opportunity for students is the Holland Fellows exchange program with Fudan University in Shanghai, China. Many of the Walker College students who participate in the Holland Fellows program now remain in China for summer internships. Students also have opportunities like the Bowden Investment Group, which manages an investment fund.

Edwards is very appreciative of the wonderful opportunities and life-changing experiences that Appalachian has provided for him and his family. He considers it a great privilege to be able to provide similar opportunities and experiences for students in the Walker College of Business.