The Brigham Young University Marriott School of Business recently honored various faculty, staff, and administrators for their leadership in areas of teaching, research, professionalism, and service during the school’s annual fall kickoff meeting.
The recipients of the top two honors were Linda Connell and Kristen Bell DeTienne. Connell received the N. Eldon Tanner Award, which recognizes BYU Marriott staff and administrators who have distinguished themselves in areas of integrity, leadership, and humble service. DeTienne was given the Outstanding Faculty Award, which honors faculty who make remarkable contributions in professional service, publication, teaching, research, and administration.
A native of Scotland, Connell came to BYU in 1986 after serving a mission in Geneva, Switzerland. She graduated in 1990 with a BA in international relations and a minor in French. She began her career with WordPerfect in Orem, where she assisted French-speaking customers with software. This experience altered her path and led her to computer systems and technology. Connell is currently a systems administrator and manages the BYU Marriott IT support team.
In her acceptance speech, Connell expressed her gratitude for the positive influence of her fellow faculty members. “Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you, and they will change your life,” she said. “This has definitely been my experience at BYU Marriott. I am deeply grateful to have been chosen as the award recipient this year.”
DeTienne joined the BYU Marriott faculty in 1991, after earning her PhD from the University of Southern California. Her previous research was selected for Best of the American Bar Association, Outstanding Article of the Year by the Association for Business Communication, Best of Conference at the Organizational Behavior Teaching Conference, and Best Paper from the Southwest Academy of Management. She currently teaches MBA and EMBA classes in negotiation.
Like Connell, DeTienne attributed personal growth to BYU Marriott faculty members who continue to cheer her on. “No person becomes outstanding on their own. The people around them who support them are what make them outstanding,” she said. “I’m grateful for my fellow faculty and staff at BYU Marriott who have challenged me to become a better person.”
In addition to these two honors, several other BYU Marriott faculty and staff members were recognized for exceling in areas such as citizenship, professionalism, research, and teaching. Grant McQueen, the William F. Edwards professor of finance, was awarded the Citizenship Excellence award, while Troy Nielson, associate professor of organizational behavior and human resources, and Mike Roberts, assistant dean and director of the Business Career Center, were both recognized for the Citizenship Multiplier award.
Felicia Jones, department administrator in the marketing and global supply chain department, and Jennifer Maroney, alumni director for the School of Accountancy, both received the Professional Excellence Award. This award recognizes staff and administrative personnel who demonstrate excellence in management, professionalism, character, and initiative to improve.
Additionally, James Gaskin, professor of information systems, received the Research Excellence: Inspiring Learning award, and Jeffrey Jenkins, associate professor of information systems, was given the Research Excellence: Overall Contribution award. Both awards were given in recognition of each professor’s contributions to their fields of academic research.
Other BYU Marriott professors were commended for their exemplary teaching efforts. Marianna Richardson, adjunct professor of management, received the Teaching Excellence: Adjunct award. A. Kim Smith, former director of the Peery Institute and now a recently retired professor of finance, was chosen for the Teaching Excellence: Inspiring Learning Award, and Mark Widmer, professor of experience and design, was honored with the Teaching Excellence: Overall Contribution award.
The kickoff event also recognized other retiring faculty members and staff for many years of dedicated service. Retiring faculty included Conan Albrecht, professor of information systems; Deborah R. Auxier, MBA event coordinator; Pamela Fillerup Castillo, college associate controller for the deans office; Terri Hagler, director of operations for the Business Career Center; Lee Perry, former dean of the BYU Marriott School of Business and professor of strategy; Bryan Sudweeks, associate teaching professor of finance; and Stephen R. Thorley, the H. Taylor Peery professor of finance.
The BYU Marriott School of Business prepares men and women of faith, character, and professional ability for positions of leadership throughout the world. Named for benefactors J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott, the school is located at Brigham Young University, the largest privately owned, church-sponsored university in the United States. BYU Marriott has four graduate and ten undergraduate programs with an enrollment of approximately 3,300 students.
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Writer: Sarah Calvert