Former Kelley School Dean Jack Wentworth Dies
(Image courtesy of Indiana University Kelley School of Business) Jack Wentworth June 11
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Indiana University Kelley School of Business is remembering a former dean and longtime faculty member. Jack Wentworth was dean from 1984 to 1993, a period of transition and growth for the school. He earned his bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from the Bloomington campus before joining the school as a marketing professor and director of its Division of Research in the early 1960s. Wentworth was 89.
Wentworth also served in the U.S. Air Force and worked in advertising for Cadillac. He was also board member with businesses including Jasper-based Kimball International Inc., Bank One Bloomington, Illinois-based IPCO Corp. and Lone Star Industries. Wentworth served as a consultant for General Motors, Hallmark Cards, General Electric and the Indiana Automotive Dealers Association.
The Kelley School says accomplishments during Wentworth’s time as dean include:
- creating a separate office for the dean and new associate deanships
- launch of the Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and the Center for Real Estate Studies
- creating overseas student experiences in counties including the Netherlands, Chile, Slovenia and Hong Kong
- restructuring of the Kelley Indianapolis campus
- hosted a series that aired on public television stations statewide called "Business Perspectives"
Current Kelley Dean Idie Kesner says "Jack introduced pivotal changes to the Kelley School, allowing our organization to achieve recognition as a leading business school in the U.S. Many of his initiatives are still in place today. He will be deeply missed by the faculty and staff of the Kelley School and by members of the IU community overall. His gentle demeanor and thoughtful leadership left its mark on the culture of our school, and we will forever be grateful."
After leaving the dean role in 1993, he remained a faculty member until his retirement in 1997. Wentworth will be laid to rest during a private family service and a public memorial service will be held October 16 on the Bloomington campus.