MBA News: Stanford GSB Dean Steps Down Abruptly

In a surprising move, Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) Dean Garth Saloner announced on Monday that he will resign at the end of the current academic year. “I have decided that it is in the best interests of Stanford and the GSB, two institutions that I love, that I step down,” Saloner wrote in a school-wide email. He continued: “As many of you know, the university and I have been vigorously defending a baseless and protracted lawsuit related to a contentious divorce between a current and former member of our faculty.” The lawsuit in question has been widely discussed in the media, culminating on Monday in a lengthy and controversial article published by Poets & Quants. Saloner referenced the escalating media attention in his resignation statement, commenting: “I have become increasingly concerned that the ongoing litigation and growing media interest will distract all of you from the important work that you are doing and unfairly impact this stellar school’s deserved reputation.” Saloner will continue as the dean until summer 2016, after which he will return to teaching at the school.