The Lee Kong Chian School of Business (LKCSB) pays tribute to the late Professor David Montgomery, who served as the School’s second Dean from 1 May 2003 to 31 Dec 2005, and passed away in late 2025.
Professor Montgomery led the School during a formative period of growth and institution-building. He played a pivotal role in shaping the vision and development of the business school at SMU’s city campus in the Bras Basah precinct, working closely with architects and partners to guide its planning and design. His leadership ensured that the relocation from Bukit Timah to the vibrant city campus marked not just a physical transition, but a significant milestone in the School’s evolution.
Under his deanship, the School strengthened its academic foundations by recruiting faculty, building a vibrant research culture, and advancing professional programmes. He championed what he termed ‘balanced excellence’, a commitment to both rigorous research and high-quality teaching, a philosophy that continues to guide the School today.
During his tenure, the Centre for Marketing Excellence and the Centre for Teaching Excellence were established, and SMU’s first cohort of Master of Science in Applied Finance graduates received their degrees. He also helped elevate SMU’s global academic standing, bringing the prestigious INFORMs Marketing Science Conference to Singapore for the first time.
Professor Montgomery remained closely connected to SMU in the years after his deanship, serving as Dean Emeritus of LKCSB and Visiting Professor of marketing and management at SMU. He also served on the University’s PTAC from 2013 to 2015. He will be remembered for his leadership, vision and enduring contributions.
