Rider returnee, Lorenzet, appointed as dean of CBA

By Jess Scanlon

A familiar face will make a reappearance at Rider as Steven Lorenzet is named the new dean of the College of Business Administration (CBA).

Lorenzet, the former associate dean of Rider’s CBA program and current dean of Kean University’s Nathan Weiss Graduate College, will become the ninth dean of the business school. He will also be a professor of human resource management.
Lorenzet attributed his return partially to his experiences with former colleagues and students.
“It was a combination of several factors that drew me back to Rider,” Lorenzet said. “During my previous tenure at Rider I worked with numerous great colleagues both within and beyond the College of Business Administration. The idea of working with them again was very appealing. I had many great experiences with Rider students, both undergraduate and graduate. The opportunity to interact with Rider’s students again was very attractive.”
Lorenzet will be taking position of the man who first hired him, Dr. Larry Newman, the current dean of the CBA.
Lorenzet said he is happy to come full circle in his career with Newman.
“Dean Newman took a chance on me when he appointed me associate dean at a very early stage in my career,” Lorenzet said. “With that in mind, becoming his successor feels great and I believe helps validate the faith he showed in me when he named me associate dean.”
Newman, who has been the dean of the CBA since 2004, said that he is not retiring, but “pursuing new challenges.”
Despite Lorenzet’s hectic future schedule, his primary goal is to make his office open to Rider students.
“I would like [students] to know that although I’m sure I will be very busy, I will be as accessible as possible,” Lorenzet said.  “I look forward to getting to know them and learning about their hopes and career goals.”
Lorenzet’s return to Rider has already resulted in positive feedback from former and future coworkers — for all of which he is very grateful.
“I have received numerous congratulatory emails and phone calls from Rider faculty, staff, advisory board members and even students,” Lorenzet said.
Donald Steven, provost and vice president of academic affairs, said he is delighted about Lorenzet’s return.
“It’s a real pleasure to welcome Steve back to Rider where he earned the admiration and respect of so many colleagues during his earlier time here as associate dean,” Steven said in the email. “Dr. Lorenzet has told me that he is honored to accept the opportunity to serve as dean and that he looks forward greatly to working with his colleagues in the CBA and across the university in the years ahead.”