Obituary | Patrick Molle, Dean of emlyon business school from 1996 to 2012.

Dear all,

It is with deep emotion that we learned of the passing of Patrick Molle, Dean of emlyon business school from 1996 to 2012. 

emlyon alumni (1981), Patrick Molle began his career as a marketing professor. He then held several academic positions, notably as Director of MBA Programs, before being appointed Dean in 1996, a role he held for sixteen years. 

His leadership had a lasting impact on the School. As early as 1997, he led a major strategic repositioning and supported the name change in 2005, helping to strengthen emlyon’s visibility and international reach. 

Deeply committed to international development, he was behind the launch of the Doctorate in Business Administration in 1997 and the opening of the Shanghai campus in 2007. He also played a key role in strengthening the School’s academic recognition by initiating the process to obtain international accreditations: EQUIS in 1998, AMBA in 2000 for the International MBA, and AACSB in 2005, enabling emlyon to achieve triple accreditation. 

Patrick Molle also contributed to the development of leading academic partnerships and innovative international programs. His strong commitment to entrepreneurship particularly through the Global Entrepreneurship Programme, the World Entrepreneurship Forum, and the IDEA program conducted in partnership with Centrale Lyon helped shape this core dimension of the School’s identity.

Patrick Molle leaves a significant legacy in the history of emlyon business school, to which he made an essential contribution. 

We extend our sincere thoughts to his family, his loved ones, and to all those who had the opportunity to work alongside him. 

He will be laid to rest in Villefranche-sur-Saône (69). 

Isabelle HUAULT 

Executive President & Dean