Four professors from the BYU Marriott School of Business received awards at BYU’s 2025 University Conference. John Bingham, Michael Drake, Melissa Larson, and David Wood received awards in recognition of their contributions to BYU.
The Abraham O. Smoot Citizenship Award was given to John Bingham for demonstrating sustained service and personal sacrifice to the BYU community. “I’m honored to receive this award and wish to acknowledge the dedicated and consecrated faculty, administrators, and staff who have enriched my rewarding experience at BYU,” Bingham says.
Bingham is the Donald L. Staheli Professor of Management at BYU Marriott, where he has worked since 2005. He served as the director of the MBA and executive MBA programs from 2013 to 2016, chaired the Management Department from 2017 to 2019, and served as BYU Marriott associate dean from 2019 to 2024.
Michael Drake received the Wesley P. Lloyd Award for Distinction in Graduate Education. “I am truly honored to receive this award. My BYU graduate education was truly transformative, setting the stage for my entire career,” Drake says. “I am grateful for the opportunity to help today’s students become, as our vision states, Christlike leaders who can transform the world.”
Drake graduated with both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from BYU Marriott before earning a PhD in accounting from Texas A&M University. Since joining the BYU Marriott faculty in 2011, Drake has been awarded the MBA Core Professor of the Year Award three times, the BYU Marriott Outstanding Research Award, and the BYU Marriott Teaching Excellence Award. Drake is the K. Fred Skousen Professor of Accounting in addition to his new role as an associate dean of BYU Marriott.
Melissa Larson was awarded the General Education Professorship for exceptional service to General Education at BYU. “My research is focused on improving student success in introductory courses. I care deeply about the student experience, development, and success,” Larson says. “Being selected for the General Education Professorship—an award that recognizes long-term commitment to teaching and innovation in General Education—is a deeply meaningful honor and a humbling affirmation of that work.”
Larson earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from BYU Marriott and a PhD in instructional psychology and technology from BYU. Earlier this year, she was appointed director of the School of Accountancy, where she has taught since 2001.
Glen D. Ardis Professor of Accounting David A. Wood received the Karl G. Maeser Research and Creative Arts Award. The award is given to those who are widely recognized in their field or discipline. Wood has published over 200 articles in academic and practitioner journals, monographs, books, and cases in addition to presenting research around the world.
“I’m grateful for the award,” says Wood, who received his PhD at Indiana University and his BS and MAcc degrees at BYU Marriott. “To me, the award represents the work of many students, co-authors, and colleagues who have helped me throughout my career. I’m very thankful to all of them. I’m passionate about working hard and helping others. I am grateful for the recognition that my efforts have made a small difference.”
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 4,000 students.