Dennis was a 1967 graduate of Holt County RII High School in Mound City, MO. He graduated from Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, MO in 1971. He owned and operated a school transportation company in Savannah, South Holt & Avenue City MO and was regional director for Carpenter School Coaches before entering the doctoral program at LSU in 1982.
Dennis was named the outstanding graduate instructor for LSU’s College of Business in 1986 and the outstanding graduate student for the state of Louisiana. He was also a two time recipient of the Lloyd Morrison Award for excellence in Education. In 1989, Dennis received his PhD from LSU.
He joined FAU and the College of Business as an Assistant Professor and rose through the ranks, eventually being named Senior Associate Dean in 1996. He accepted the position as Dean for the College of Business in 2006.
Under Dean Coates’ dedicated leadership, the College of Business underwent substantial development, being named one of the “Best Business Schools” by The Princeton Review for three years in a row, as well as one of America’s “Top 50 Business Schools for Entrepreneurs” by Success magazine. The School of Accounting has consistently ranked in the top 10 nationally for its graduates’ very high passing rate on the National CPA exam throughout his tenure.
While overseeing the highest enrollment of FAU’s colleges, Dean Coates also led the establishment of a number of innovative private-public partnerships that benefited students in extraordinary ways. In 2008, through two generous gifts from Office Depot totaling more than $2.8 million, the Office Depot Center for Executive Education opened, providing a new home for the College’s offerings in executive education, training and research. Additionally, Dean Coates has partnered with several other Colleges and disciplines to ensure that FAU’s students are provided access to the practical knowledge and skills that they need to thrive in the private sector. Under Dennis' leadership the College received a $5 million gift from Barry Kaye.
In addition to Dennis' significant professional accomplishments, he has touched the lives of his students, his colleagues, and his friends throughout his life.
Dennis is survived by two brothers, E Jerome Coates (Garen) Norway, MI; Thomas C Coates (Sharon) Stewartsville MO and two sisters, Mary A Muse (Tom) St Joseph , MO; and Shannon K Coates St Joseph MO. He is also survived by his lifelong friend, Thomas W McDaniel and numerous nieces & nephews, great nieces & nephews and great, great nieces & nephews plus friends & colleagues too numerous to mention.
A Memorial Gathering will take place on Friday February 15th 2013 from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm, with a Service from 6:45 to 7:15 at the Kraeer Funeral Home, 1353 North Federal Highway, Boca Raton FL 561-395-8787. In lieu of flowers, donations in Dennis's memory may be made to: FAU Foundation, College of Business, General Fund, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431
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