At the April 2023 awards luncheon, BYU Marriott honored faculty, staff, and administrators across the college for their impact in their classrooms and workspaces.
Named the 2023 Outstanding Administrator Award recipient, Stephanie Graham is the program manager for the Department of Marketing and Global Supply Chain. Graham enjoys working with the department’s students, staff, and faculty. She is particularly invested in helping junior core students have positive experiences in the program. “Stephanie’s ability to connect with student employees and deliver time and time again for the faculty makes her a standout employee who demonstrates in her professional life the vision, mission, and values of BYU Marriott,” says Michael Swenson, the Christensen Professor of Marketing.
T. Jeffrey Wilks, the Ernst & Young Professor of Accounting and former director of the School of Accountancy at BYU Marriott, was the recipient of the 2023 Outstanding Faculty Award. In addition to his recognitions in academia, Wilks publishes research, consults, and serves on various task forces in the accounting field. He also founded RevenueHub®, IPOhub®, and ESGReportingHubTM, projects which have shared hundreds of student-written articles, attracting more than two million views. “Jeff is a capable and productive researcher and an outstanding teacher, and he has contributed immense value as a leader and administrator,” explains Doug Prawitt, the LeRay McAllister/Deloitte Foundation Distinguished Professor and current director of the SOA. “But Jeff’s dedication to our students is perhaps best exemplified by his tremendous efforts in building and leading the IPO and revenue hub initiatives in the SOA—efforts that serve our students so well and exemplify BYU’s student-focused ‘Inspiring Learning’ theme.”
At the event, administrators also presented the BYU Marriott Impact Awards, which recognize employees for their contributions to the college through exhibiting the four BYU Marriott values: Faith in Christ, Integrity in Action, Respect for All, and Excellence, as well as the college’s guiding principle of Centered on Students.
Darron Billeter, associate professor of marketing, received the Faith in Christ Award. “Darron’s sincere concern for the spiritual welfare of his students is evident in every class he teaches,” explains Ryan Elder, professor of marketing. “He masterfully connects gospel principles to marketing concepts to strengthen the students’ foundational understanding in both areas.”
Alison C. Bawden, controller and human resources manager for the BYU Marriott Business Career Center, received the Integrity in Action Award. “Alison has been a highly effective controller and office manager for the Business Career Center. She always ensures that our team operates within our budget and in compliance with university guidelines,” explains Sam Dunn, associate dean and director of the Business Career Center. “She does a great job developing her student team; they are fast, friendly, and competent. Alison embraces and models the values of integrity and humility, combined with a bias for action.”
Amy Densley, finance assistant program director, received the Respect for All Award. “She’s a gifted administrator and mentor, a loyal friend and colleague, and one of the most incredible human beings that I’ve ever had the privilege of working with and being influenced by,” says Troy Carpenter, associate professor of finance and managing director of the Peery Institute.
Nathan Schell, SFC, senior military science instructor, received the Respect for All Award. “SFG Schell embraces excellence and is a stellar performer who fosters an environment rich with ethical behavior. He continuously puts the program’s needs and the cadets’ needs above his own,” says Nathan Christiansen, assistant professor of military science at Utah Valley University. “During my time in the army, I have met few noncommissioned officers that match SFC Schell’s level of determination, drive, and performance. It’s been a true honor to serve alongside SFC Schell.”
Bradley P. Owens, professor with the Romney Institute of Public Service and Ethics, received the Excellence in Teaching Award. “Brad Owens practices what he researches,” explains Rob Christensen, the director of the MPA program. “He is a humble and effective leader in the classroom, in the field of research, and in practice.”
Ashlyn Lewis, department administrator for the Department of Information Systems received the Excellence in Management Award. “Ashlyn’s Christlike service and willingness to do anything and everything that needs doing so that faculty can focus on teaching and research is the reason our department has been able to do as much as it has,” says Ryan Schuetzler, information systems associate professor. “She also supervises and mentors the students who work in the IS office, all of whom develop their own leadership capabilities by gaining new responsibilities.”
Benjamin M. Galvin, associate professor of organizational behavior and human resources, received the Excellence in Leadership Award. “Ben is the consummate academic,” says John Bingham, associate dean and professor of organizational behavior and human resources. “His scholarship on leadership helps define the field of leadership, particularly in the areas of servant leadership, inclusive leadership, and narcissistic leadership styles. Equally impressive is Ben’s ability to communicate ideas to students and to create engaging learning experiences that inform, inspire, and change behavior.”
Jill Piacitelli, an adjunct professor in the Ballard Center for Social Impact, received the Excellence in Adjunct Teaching Award. “She is incredibly dedicated and goes above and beyond to do everything she can to help students succeed,” says Jess Dansie Anderson, the Ballard Center’s managing director of marketing and communications. “She is doing so much good with her work and with the partnerships and programs that she has developed.”
Melissa Lewis-Western, the Rachel Martin Faculty Fellow in the School of Accountancy, received the Excellence in Research Award. “Teaming with Melissa means that you will get a passion for excellence, a deep love for students, a genuine concern for their welfare and learning, and a desire to collaborate in a true give-and-take environment,” says Cassy Budd, the SOA Nemrow Excellence in Teaching Professor.
Spencer Hilton, information systems associate teaching professor, received the Student-Centered Award. “Spencer really cares about the well-being of everyone around him: students, staff, and faculty,” explains Tom Meservy, information systems associate professor. “He seeks to understand. He’s a great listener. And he always does his work with an optimistic attitude.”
The award ceremony also recognized retiring employees David M. Cottrell, faculty member and associate director in the School of Accountancy, and Todd Manwaring, who was the director of the Ballard Center for Social Impact.
About BYU Marriott
The BYU Marriott School of Business aspires to transform the world through Christlike leadership by developing leaders of faith, intellect, and character. Named for benefactors J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott, the school is located at Brigham Young University. BYU Marriott has four graduate and nine undergraduate programs with an enrollment of approximately 3,800 students.