Olin’s Todd Milbourn appointed dean of SMU’s Cox School of Business

After an impressive tenure of nearly 25 years at WashU Olin Business School, Todd Milbourn has been appointed the new dean of Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University (SMU). He will assume his new role on June 1.

Milbourn’s journey at Olin began in 2000 as an assistant professor of finance, following teaching positions at the London Business School and the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. His rapid ascent within Olin was marked by a promotion with tenure after just three years, followed by his installation as the Hubert C. and Dorothy R. Moog Professor of Finance in 2010. He has held a variety of leadership roles at Olin, including serving as academic director of the Master of Science in Finance program, senior associate dean of programs, vice dean of faculty and research, and deputy dean under Interim Dean Anjan Thakor.

Milbourn is a recognized expert in valuation, corporate finance, and corporate governance, particularly emphasizing executive compensation and its impact on company stock price, corporate risk-taking, and overall firm performance. He is the co-author of the acclaimed executive-level book, “The Value Sphere: Secrets of Creating and Retaining Shareholder Wealth,” and has published extensively in leading scholarly journals.

In the classroom, Milbourn has left an indelible mark, teaching finance courses across all degree levels and contributing significantly to executive education. Olin undergraduate and graduate students have honored him with more than a dozen Reid Teaching Awards, which are awarded to professors whose enthusiasm and exceptional teaching most inspire, energize, and transform students. In 2015, WashU honored him with the prestigious Founder’s Day Distinguished Faculty Award, acknowledging his outstanding commitment to the intellectual and personal development of students.

Milbourn earned his undergraduate degree in economics, finance and mathematics from Augustana College and his PhD in Finance from Indiana University.