Ray Whittington brings distinguished credentials as an academic leader, researcher and industry practitioner to his role as dean of the
College of Commerce and the
Kellstadt Graduate School of Business. He was appointed dean in 2006 after serving for nine years as the Ledger & Quill director of the School of Accountancy & Management Information Systems, which is part of the business school. During his deanship, the college has earned high rankings for its academic quality, launched the School of Hospitality Leadership, elevated the real estate program to a department and added an MBA degree program in Taiwan.
In his previous position as head of DePaul’s accountancy school, one of the largest and most-respected accounting programs in the country, he successfully implemented curricular enhancements in response to changing accountancy industry education requirements, strengthened the school's relationships with prominent accounting firms and oversaw a sharp increase in undergraduate enrollment. He also helped build the school's extensive and active alumni network through his work with Ledger & Quill, the 1,500-member School of Accountancy alumni association. L&Q sponsors annual student scholarships, distinguished professor awards and other needed support for the school.
Before coming to DePaul, Whittington served from 1993 to 1997 as director of the School of Accountancy at San Diego State University, where he taught for 14 years and earned three outstanding professor awards. He previously worked as director of auditing research for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and as a senior auditor for KPMG Peat Marwick. Whittington also was vice chairman of the AICPA's Auditing Standards Board when the board was responsible for developing standards for audits of public and non-public companies. He has authored four textbooks and written numerous articles on accounting for magazines and journals.
Whittington earned his undergraduate business degree from Sam Houston State University, a master's degree in accountancy from Texas Tech University and his doctorate degree from the University of Houston, where he also taught accounting. He is a certified public accountant, certified management accountant and certified internal auditor.