Brigham Young University awarded Marriott School Professor of Organizational Leadership and Strategy William H. Baker an Alcuin Fellowship at the 2004 Annual University Conference on Aug. 24. The fellowship recognizes teacher-scholars whose university work has made significant contributions to the general education and honors curriculum. Fellowship appointments are for three years and include a stipend for curriculum development, teaching and research.
“I’m honored to receive the award,” Baker says. “These kinds of things are never expected but are appreciated. There are many professors who are very deserving, so it was a nice expression from the university, and I appreciate it very much.”
The Alcuin Fellowship is named for the eighth-century scholar Alcuin of York, liberal arts master who headed the Palace School of Charlemagne and brought about major education reform throughout the Frankish Kingdom.
“Bill has provided marvelous leadership to our education efforts in offering an outstanding advanced-level writing course for more than 30 years,” says Organizational Leadership and Strategy Department Chair Michael Thompson. “Bill has never stopped learning. He applies new developments in organizational writing to the design and delivery of this important course. Hundreds of students have benefited from his intellectual leadership and innovative teaching.”
Baker began teaching at BYU in 1970 after earning his MS in business education from the Marriott School and his BS in business education from Southern Utah University in 1969. He earned his EdD in business education from Oklahoma State University in 1974. During his tenure, he has been awarded the prestigious Teacher of the Year award twice, in 1985 and 1986, and the Citizenship Award from the Marriott School in 2001. His work has been published in multiple business publications and his expertise is in business and government writing.
“In addition to his research and teaching, the work he has done in finding, selecting and mentoring a talented and dedicated group of part-time faculty is, in itself, a monumental contribution,” Thompson says. “We want Bill right here in the Marriott School for many years to come.”
The Marriott School is located at Brigham Young University, the largest privately owned, church-sponsored university in the United States. The school has nationally recognized programs in accounting, business management, public management, information systems, organizational behavior and entrepreneurship. The school’s mission is to prepare men and women of faith, character and professional ability for positions of leadership throughout the world. Approximately 3,000 students are enrolled in the Marriott School’s graduate and undergraduate programs.
Writer: Cari Thomas (801) 422-1512