The University of Dayton will dedicate the new John D. Mittelstaedt Center for Advising and Business Student Success and launch a scholarship in memory of the late dean.

“The advising center and the scholarship in John’s name are perfect ways to honor the memory of a man who so positively influenced the School of Business Administration,” said Dean Trevor Collier. “As the plaque outside the advising center so accurately notes, John’s legacy will support the success of students both now and in the future.”

Mittelstaedt, dean from 2017 until his death in 2020, was passionate about the important role academic advisors play in helping students on their path to graduation and finding their vocational calling in life, and he added academic advisors to staff during his tenure. He also helped launch new master’s degree programs, elevated research and teaching activities of the faculty and created the Center for Student Engagement.

The Mittelstaedt scholarship, created through the generosity of more than 50 donors including his wife Patrice and their two children, will benefit business students who have financial need. Friends of the family, faculty, parents, staff and members of the University board of trustees contributed with gifts ranging from $20 to more than $15,000. 

Gifts from the Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity, donors from the University’s One Day One Dayton annual day of giving, and others contributed to the advising center. Along with advising staff, the center houses staff who assist business students with career services and graduate program advising and admission as well as peer student advisors.

“Academic advising is key to student success,” said Jamie Riley, director of the undergraduate advising office. “Research shows a direct correlation between advising and retention. Having an updated and expanded advising space gives us more opportunities to interact with students and meet with prospective families.”