LA GRANDE — An entrepreneur who helped wake the embers of the old La Grande Fire Department seven years ago has been selected to light the way for the future of Eastern Oregon University’s College of Business.

Scott McConnell has been appointed dean of the school’s college of business. The appointment of McConnell, a business professor at Eastern since 2012, took effect Monday, April 1.

“I am very excited and happy,” McConnell said.

McConnell has served as the interim dean of the College of Business since July 2023. He is also known to many as a co-owner of Side A Brewing, which he helped found in 2017. Side A is located at 1219 Adams Ave., formerly housed La Grande’s fire department for many decades through early 2002.

He said that operating a restaurant, while serving as a faculty member at Eastern, has helped him when teaching classes because he can draw upon experiences there to enliven his presentations.

“Students really perk up when I use real-life examples to illustrate what is being discussed in textbooks,” said McConnell, who has reduced his involvement in the day-to-day operations of Side A because of his growing responsibilities at Eastern.

McConnell’s ties to La Grande’s downtown also includes a recent eight-year stint as a member of the board for La Grande Main Street Downtown.

Peter Geissinger, Eastern’s interim provost, speaks highly of McConnell’s work at Eastern and his involvement in La Grande’s economic development.

“Dean McConnell’s academic journey and professional accomplishments showcase his dedication to the field of economics and business education.He has demonstrated a deep commitment to applying theoretical knowledge to practical challenges, which enrich our student experience and foster collaborations that are vital in today’s interconnected world,” he said.

McConnell, as dean of the college business, said he wants to continue strengthening connections between the university and the local community. He speaks with pride about the school’s college of business, crediting it with having high quality faculty, many talented students and an excellent job placement rate.

The dean has strong family ties to the community. He and his wife, Alicia, have two children, ages 10 and 14, and McDonnell’s sister, Nicole, is a science teacher at La Grande High School.

McConnell grew up in the small rural town of Alpena in northern Michigan. He said his upbringing there has helped him connect with EOU students since many of them are from small rural communities.

McConnell credits his Northern Michigan roots with helping instill a strong life long work ethic.

“There is a blue collar mentality that makes work second nature,” he said.

McConnell is succeeding Edward Henninger, who served as dean of the college of business for a number of years before retiring.

McConnell has a doctorate in economics from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and his academic interests include macroeconomic theory, money and financial markets,and institutional economics. He has received multiple honors during his career, including the EOU Faculty Scholars Research Award and the Abba Lerner research award at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.