Jeff B. Murray, Associate Professor Of Marketing, Receives University’s Most Prestigious Teaching Award

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Jeff B. Murray, associate professor of marketing in the University of Arkansas Sam M. Walton College of Business, has been named as the recipient of the Charles and Nadine Baum Faculty Teaching award for 2003.

The award is the highest honor bestowed on one faculty member at the end of each academic year and provides a $5,000 stipend.

Murray said, "It is a surprise to be selected for this award, I am honored and would like to thank the committee for acknowledging my contribution. I would also like to thank my wonderful colleagues in the Marketing and Logistics Department, my undergraduate students in consumer behavior (for putting up with my 'unique’ style of teaching), and my co-authors. In particular, I would like to express my appreciation for the marketing doctoral students; their willingness to look at traditional topics with fresh insight has always been inspiring to me."

Murray has taught marketing at the University since 1989. His specialty is qualitative consumer research. His research investigates how consumers use products and services in forming and projecting a self-identity. He is also interested in marketing theory, lifestyle research, interpretive consumer research, marketing pedagogy and the sociology of marketing channels.

Murray received his Ph.D. in marketing from Virginia Tech, his master’s and bachelor’s degrees in sociology from University of Northern Colorado.

Among Murray’s teaching honors are: Walton College’s Best All-Around Faculty Member, 2002; Walton College Research Award nominee, 2002; Recognized for 10 years of dedicated service to Walton College, 2000; Phillips 66 Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award, 1996; Competitive Teaching Enhancement Grant Recipient, 1994; Undergraduate Teacher of the Year, College of Business Administration, Seattle University, 1989; and others.

His research has been published in many academic publications over the years.

Provost Bob Smith said, "Jeff has been acknowledged as an outstanding teacher by his peers, students and alumni, so it is fitting that he receive the Baum Teaching Award. The committee recognized the extraordinary contributions he made to the marketing and logistics doctoral program, including his doctoral seminar, which focuses on the philosophy of science and qualitative and interpretive methodologies. I’d like to thank Jeff for everything he does to make our University of Arkansas a great place in which to learn and work."

"Dr. Murray has been a positive force in doctoral education outside the classroom." wrote Doyle Z. Williams, dean of Walton College, in a letter to the selection committee. "He spends a lot of time recruiting students, serving as their advisor, arranging comprehensive examinations, etc. He serves on almost every dissertation committee in the marketing and transportation department, a reflection of students’ respect for his mentoring capabilities."

Anne Marie Velliquette, assistant professor of marketing at the University of Utah and a former advisee of Murray’s, wrote in a letter to the selection committee, ". Jeff truly enjoys all aspects of his job including his mentoring relationships with his Ph.D. students. He is always so generous with his time and so concerned about motivating his students to follow their dreams and passions. He has been an inspiration to me in so many ways and I feel I owe much of my success to him."

A committee of students, faculty and alumni appointed by the provost select the Baum award recipient. The award was established in 1997 by a gift from the Charles and Nadine Baum Foundation. Past recipients include Douglas A. James (2002), Elliott West (2001), Lynda L. Coon (2000), Ro DiBrezzo (1999), Hamdy A. Taha (1998) and Doris M. Cook (1997).