As the new school year began, nine new professors joined the staff at SMSU. Unfortunately, one of the new staff members, Assistant Professor of Accounting and Finance Dr. Ben Le, was forced to leave before the beginning of the semester for personal reasons.

According to Dean of Business, Education and Professional Studies Dr. Raphael Onyeaghala, Le resigned to tend to a family emergency which he could not do from Marshall.

“The department was not prepared for his resignation,” Onyeaghala said. “I hope that we do not encounter this situation again in the future, but if we do, we will resolve it based on the need of our students.”

Dr. Le was to teach three courses during the fall semester, including Financial Accounting and Capital Budgeting. Two adjunct instructors were hired to cover the classes. A permanent faculty member who had a course cancelled because of low enrollment covered the third.

Dr. Le had no prior contact with students before his resignation.

“We staffed all his classes,” Onyeaghala said, “so I believe his departure had little or no effect on the students enrolled in his courses.”