OU senior vice president and provost André-Denis Wright announced Laku Chidambaram as the next dean of Price College of Business Tuesday morning.
Chidambaram has served as the college’s interim dean since July and will begin his permanent role on May 31.
Chidambaram joined Price College in 2001 as a faculty member in the management information systems division and has held several administrative positions in the college including senior associate dean for academic programs and engagement, where he oversaw the master’s, executive and undergraduate programs. He also holds the Michael F. Price Chair in Business.
According to Wright, Chidambaram has been a key figure in accelerating the college’s growth. In fall 2024, student enrollment in Price College increased 10% over the previous year and doubled the growth from two years ago. Its bachelor’s degree program is in the top 10% of business schools nationwide and its master's programs ranked 14 in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report rankings
Philanthropic support has also risen during Chidambaram’s tenure, with approximately $25 million in gifts and pledges secured in the 2025 fiscal year. He also helped establish Leo Mingee and Lauren Von Mingee First-Generation Business Scholars Fund, the largest scholarship endowment at OU dedicated to supporting first-generation students.
Over the past year, Chidambaram helped launch several initiatives to support students, including First Year@Price, the Price Career Center and the Office of Experiential Learning.
Chidambaram earned his doctoral degree at Indiana University, a master’s degree from the University of Georgia and a bachelor of commerce degree from Loyola College.
Dean searches at OU
Out of the 14 colleges across OU’s Norman campus, the David L. Boren College of International Studies is the only college that remains without a permanent dean after former dean Scott Fritzen left OU in June 2023.
On April 30, Robert Palmer was announced as the dean of the College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences following the death of former dean Berrien Moore III.
On April 10, Michael Markham, who served as the interim dean of Honors College, was announced as dean of the Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences. Almost a week later, Paul Gilmore was appointed as dean of the Honors College.
In February, Miloš Savić was announced as the next dean of the College of Professional and Continuing Studies.
In 2024, John Antonio was announced as dean of the Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy, Andrea Miller as dean of Gaylord College and Anna Carpenter as dean of OU College of Law.
This story was edited by Natalie Armour.
