Robert Nale, professor of management and chair of the Department of Management, Marketing and Law at Coastal Carolina University, has been named interim dean of the E. Craig Wall Sr. College of Business Administration, according to John Idoux, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Coastal. A national search for a new dean is under way.

"Dr. Nale has the background and experience to lead the College of Business in the coming months while we search for a new dean," said Idoux. "I look forward to working with him during this interim period."

Nale will officially begin his duties on Dec. 8. He will replace Peter Barr, who has served as dean since 1992. Barr has accepted a position with Burroughs & Chapin Company, Inc., of Myrtle Beach.

Nale joined the Coastal faculty in 1985. He earned a bachelor's degree from Western Illinois University, a master's degree in business administration from Roosevelt University in Chicago and a Ph.D. from the University of Mississippi.