The Dean of the Neeley School of Business will be stepping down and returning to a job on the faculty at the end of the academic year.

Under Homer Erekson, who was named dean in 2008, the enrollment percentage of TCU students in Neeley has risen to more than 25 percent of the total student population, according to statistics from the business school.

Erekson said he is returning to teaching because he feels that has been something that he has missed dearly.

“I am ready for a new challenge in my life,” he said.

Erekson said he is most proud that the number of people with minors in the business school has grown from 40 to more than 900.

“My favorite moment every semester is what the Chancellor calls ‘the handshake moment,’ when a student that I have interacted with and had the opportunity to teach receives their degree,” Erekson said.

Erekson said he understands the unique opportunity he had to become a dean at the same university where he received his undergraduate degree.

“There are so many bright spots about TCU that it’s hard to pick just one,” Erekson said. “However, I will miss most the daily interactions I have with faculty and students.”

Erekson met with every single faculty member when he first arrived in 2008 and said that gave him the information he needed to put himself in the best spot to succeed.

The search for the next dean is underway, and Erekson’s advice for whoever replaces him is to listen.

“Listening is more important when leading than talking,” he said.