Walton College Honors Outstanding Faculty and Staff

The Sam M. Walton College of Business celebrated its outstanding faculty and staff with an awards ceremony on Wednesday, April 28.

Walton College Dean Dan Worrell said, “We gather today to say ‘Bravo’ to the many accomplishments of the faculty, staff, departments and centers that have made the Walton College the outstanding institution that it is today.”

High Performance Team Award – Applied Sustainability Center

The High Performance Team Award was given to the Applied Sustainability Center for its achievement locally, nationally and globally in furthering the practice of sustainability. Team members include Jon Johnson, Michele Halsell, Jeff Rice, Vivian Hill, Mike Faupel, Cash East, Greg Norris, Jennifer Quinton, Evan Andrews, Andi Romi, Christy Slay and Alisha Staggs.

Outstanding Team Achievement Award – Economic Supplemental Instructor Development Team

The Outstanding Team Achievement Award went to the Economic Supplemental Instructor Development team, which established a program to enhance student learning in order to create a higher pass rates for traditionally difficult classes. Team members include Charles Britton, Gary Ferrier, David Gay, Robert Stapp and Anne Raines from the Enhanced Learning Center.

Outstanding “All Around” Faculty Award – Raja Kali

The Outstanding “All Around” Faculty Award was given to Raja Kali, an associate professor in the department of economics and a faculty member who has excelled in teaching, research, and service. Kali is very active in the university, local and professional communities, refereeing three economic journals, serving on committees and panels, and mentoring the research of numerous students.

Excellence in Teaching Award – Carol Reeves

The Excellence in Teaching Award went to Carol Reeves, associate professor of management and holder of the Cecil and Gwendolyn Cupp Applied Professorship of Entrepreneurship. Reeves is probably best known here for her role as the sponsor of some of the most successful entrepreneurship teams. She is also this year’s recipient of the Arkansas Alumni Association Excellence in Teaching Award.

Excellence in Research Award – Venki Venkatesh

The Excellence in Research Award was given to Venki Venkatesh, professor of information systems and holder of the George and Boyce Billingsley Chair in Information Systems. His 2009 publication record includes twelve papers accepted or forthcoming. He currently serves as a senior editor at Information Systems Research and Ph.D. program director and is a world-renowned researcher.

Excellence in Advising Award – Dub Ashton

The Excellence in Advising Award went to Dub Ashton, associate professor of marketing. This award represents a faculty member who is actively involved in the process of academic advising with undergraduate or graduate business students. Ashton has worked with Walton College freshmen and served as a new student orientation advisor and a Freshmen Business Connections mentor.

Excellence in Service Award – John Delery

The Excellence in Service Award was given to John Delery, professor and holder of the Raymond F. Orr Chair in Management. He was elected to the leadership position of the Human Resource Division of the Academy of Management in 2007 and has also served as a conference program organizer for the same group.

Diversity Award – Moez Limayem

The Walton College Faculty Diversity Award went to Moez Limayem who holds the Walton Professorship in Information Systems and is chair of the information systems department. He has encouraged his faculty and staff to participate in diversity training, formed a department Diversity Committee and served on the faculty/staff advisory board for the Tyson Center for Faith and Spirituality in the Workplace.

Graduate Assistant Teaching Award – Kevin Lee

The Outstanding Graduate Assistant award was given to Kevin Lee, a doctoral student in the department of finance. Although he primarily teaches mandatory finance classes, his students include not only finance majors, but other business majors fulfilling electives. He is able to present the material effectively even to students who find the topic too dry or scary.

Walton College Major Contribution Award – Marion Dunagan

The Walton College Major Contribution Award was given to Marion Dunagan, assistant dean for graduate programs. Dunagan is actively involved in the many facets of the Graduate School of Business. This year, she took on the operational aspects of the CIBER (Center for International Business Education and Research) grant application.

Superior Service Award – Suson Wheeler

The Walton College Superior Service Award went to Suson Wheeler, administrative specialist in the information systems department. As one nominator wrote, this year’s recipient “sets the standard for customer service.” She is determined that every detail of a project be meticulously cared for, even if it takes extra time.

Staff Diversity Award – Judith Neal

The Staff Diversity Award was given to Judith Neal, director of the Tyson Center for Faith and Spirituality in the Workplace. Neal is by nature an open person who has begun connecting the dots among faculty and staff for exploring spirituality in the workplace. Through the creation of the brown bag lunch series, her class and visiting speakers, she is doing an excellent job bring diversity to the forefront for the entire college.

Staff Green Award – Will Allred

The Staff Green Award went to Will Allred and recognizes an individual staff member who has contributed to establishing a sustainable environment at the college. From making suggestions about green catering to changing printers to duplex settings to working with the lights off, Allred is conscious of environmental impact every single minute of the day and has recommended cost-saving measures that are currently projected to save the college more than $40,000 a year.

Rookie Award – Adrienne Gaines

The Rookie Award was given to Adrienne Gaines, an academic advisor in Undergraduate Programs. Gaines joined the Walton College nine months ago. She not only makes sure students understand their degree requirements, but also draws from her background in other campus areas to provide them with the resources necessary to be successful. She also helped develop a new advising software program.

Walton College Service Awards

40 Years of Service

• John Dominick

35 Years of Service

• David Douglas

30 Years of Service

• Bill Curington

20 Years of Services

• Carol Reeves

15 Years of Service

• John Aloysius
• Mary Gray
• Betsy Howlett
• Karen Pincus
• Robert Stapp

10 Years of Service

• Alan Ellstrand
• Tomas Jandik
• Leonard Ridley