| FOUR FACULTY MEMBERS
HONORED FOR SERVICE
 |
Dr. Allen Lee, left,
presents award to
Dr. Gurpreet Dhillon, right
|
Award of Excellence:
Dr. Gurpreet Dhillon
Professor of Information Systems
Gurpreet Dhillon received his Ph.D. from the London School of Economics & Political
Science in 1995 and is a member of the Information Systems Department faculty.
He is a prolific writer and researcher, with 21 refereed journal articles,
10 papers, and 3 books to his credit Gurpreet has amassed an amazing publication
record. Not only has Dr. Dhillon been productive he is very well respected
among his peers, noting that a recent citation analysis found his work cited
42 times by other authors. This is ample recognition that his work is having
an impact on the discipline.
Gurpreet teaches undergraduate and graduate classes
as well as doctoral level seminars. Dr. Redmond, the chair of the Information
Systems department notes
that his Ph.D. seminars are very popular and the variety of classes taught
by Gurpreet is impressive. Dr. Dhillon recently served on the joint IS/CS committee on Computer
Information Security and is working closely with the VCU Department
of Homeland Security
in getting a class from the Information Systems department incorporated
into their curriculum, while serving on and chairing many dissertations.
His body of work only exemplifies his commitment to service.
Dr. Redmond believes that Gurpreet “never saw a service opportunity he didn’t like.” He
chairs the School of Business Ph.D. committee as well as serves on the Fast
Track MBA and Department Governance committees. Gurpreet also serves as the
advisor to the Ph.D. program while exhibiting all of the necessary characteristics
needed for research, teaching, and service.
 |
Dr. Benson Wier,
left, presents award to
Dr. Kweku-Muata
Osei-Bryson, right
|
Distinguished Scholar:
Dr. Kweku-Muata
Osei-Bryson
Professor of Information Systems
Dr. Osei-Bryson joined VCU in 1998 as a professor in the Information
Systems Department, after receiving his doctorate in Applied Mathematics
in 1988. He is also a Research Fellow of the Information Systems
Research Institute. He previously has worked as an Information
Systems practitioner in both industry and government.
Dr. Osei-Bryson’s productivity over the last five years has focused on
quality as well as quantity and he has proven himself to be an excellent researcher.
His published research has focused on data mining, while at the same time Dr.
Osei-Bryson’s true talent of connecting traditional techniques to new
problems in the field of Information Systems shows through in his work.
Dr. Osei-Bryson has been published in prominent journals including
Decision Support Systems, European Journal of Operational Research,
and Data & Knowledge
Engineering. He currently serves on the Editorial Board of the Computers & Operations
Research Journal. Understanding the importance of staying at the forefront
of his chosen field, Dr. Osei-Bryson often participates in Doctoral-level continuing
education in the fields of: Telecommunications, Group Support Systems, and
Management of Information Systems. Supported by his peers, both past and present,
Dr. Osei-Bryson is held in high esteem. Dr. Ken Kendall, professor of e-commerce
at Rutgers University, remembers Dr. Osei-Bryson well. Noting that Kweku-Muata
is known worldwide for his research, Dr. Kendall observes that his students,
as well as the community, have benefited from Kweku-Muata’s insight and
energy.
 |
Dr. Benson Wier,
left, presents award to
Dr. David J. Urban, right
|
Distinguished Service:
Dr. David J. Urban
Professor of Marketing
Dr. Urban earned his Ph.D. in Business Administration from the
University of Michigan and currently teaches marketing courses
at VCU. After serving as an officer in the U.S. Navy Supply Corps,
Dr. Urban worked as a consultant for private firms and governmental
agencies alike. Hyundai Motor America, Kimberly-Clark, and the
Commonwealth of Virginia are just some examples where he has applied
his business and marketing background. Dr. Urban is a charter recipient
of the American Marketing Association's Professional Certified
Marketer designation.
David’s primary research interests are in customer satisfaction,
retailing, and marketing research methods. He has published over
30 academic article.
Dr. Urban has won numerous external awards for teaching excellence
from organizations like the Academy of Marketing Science and the
Academy of Business Administration. He is frequently quoted in
the national print media, and is a regular speaker for business
and professional organizations.
Dr. Urban became the first professor from the VCU School of Business
to receive an Outstanding Faculty Award from the State Council
of Higher Education for
Virginia. This award is the Commonwealth of Virginia's highest honor for
faculty at Virginia's public and private colleges and universities.
His latest contributions
to service have included being a member of the new VCU Center on Health Disparities,
Faculty Council, School Promotion and Tenure Committee.
One review from Dr. Franzak, the chair of the Marketing Department
in the School of Business, calls David a well-balanced faculty
member whose service
record
is among the best.
 |
Dr. Benson Wier, left,
presents award to
Dr. Van R. Wood, right
|
Distinguished Teaching:
Dr. Van R. Wood
Professor of Marketing
Dr. Van R. Wood currently holds the Philip Morris Endowed Chair in International
Business while teaching both graduate and undergraduate courses in marketing.
Dr. Wood has been at VCU since 1994 after earning his Ph. D. in Business
Administration, Marketing in 1982 from the University of Oregon.
Dr. Wood’s passion is the world as our classroom, as he facilitates the
global aspirations of VCU’s business students. An innovative teacher
receiving evaluations that place him among the top of the faculty in his
department. Van makes the international experience a reality to his students.
While inspiring
his students to take an interest in a global perspective, his aim has been
consistent and he has taken his students along every step of the way.
Dr. Wood has facilitated agreements between the U.S. Department
of Education, as well as business community associations, to dedicate
funds for scholarships
given to those interested in international study.
Dr. Wood tirelessly promotes the VCU School of Business in the
Greater Richmond business community creating the International
Forum. This annual
program
is a first rate educational experience for students who wish to gain
an international perspective on a global topic. Among other precedents
Dr.
Wood is currently
working on setting up a joint Executive MBA program between VCU and Helwan
University in Cairo, Egypt. As most VCU students, who have an interest
in studying
abroad, know the first step is to “go see Professor Wood.”
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