FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Supply Chain Management Research Center at the University of Arkansas has awarded the 2006 Doctoral Dissertation Proposal Award to Jeremy M. Brann, a fourth year doctoral student in the department of information and operations management at the Mays School of Business at Texas A&M University.

“This award, which includes $5,000, recognizes hard work and dedication,” said Jim Crowell, managing director of the Supply Chain Management Research Center, which is part of the Sam M. Walton College of Business. “The purpose of the award is to encourage and reward individuals who are pursuing a doctoral degree in supply chain management, and it is open to any Ph.D. student in the United States.” Brann’s dissertation focuses on supply chain design.

The evaluation process for the Doctoral Dissertation Proposal Award involves 15 to 20 reviewers from approximately 12 universities. The evaluation criterion includes: contribution to supply chain management, likelihood of completing dissertation, theoretical basis for research, and appropriateness of research design. Past recipients include supply chain doctoral candidates from schools such as the University of Tennessee and Ohio State University.

Brann receives a $5,000 monetary grant in two equal installments. The first is paid upon receipt of his final research proposal approved by his dissertation committee. The second will be made when Brann has completed and bound his dissertation, which has been approved by his dissertation committee.

“Receiving this award represents the degree to which leading supply chain management academics felt Jeremy Brann’s dissertation is going to contribute to the supply chain management industry,” added Crowell.

The Supply Chain Management Research Center in the Walton College, established in 1996, supports transportation and logistics faculty, student career fairs and internships, and research with business and industry.

Current center business board members include ABF Freight System Inc.; BNSF Logistics/BNSF Railway; BP Lubricants USA; The Campbell Soup Co.; Colgate-Palmolive; ConAgra Foods Inc.; E & J Gallo Winery; Entergy Services Inc.; FedEx Corp.; FedEx Freight; GENCO; General Mills; J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc.; Jarden Consumer Solutions; Johnson & Johnson; Kimberly-Clark; Knight Transportation; Nestlé Purina PetCare; Procter & Gamble; The Scotts Co.; The Clorox Co.; Transplace; Tyson Foods Inc.; Unilever HPC-NA; Wal-Mart Stores Inc.; and Wyeth Consumer Healthcare.