Professor of Organizational Leadership and Strategy Receives Outstanding Faculty Award

Jeffrey H. Dyer addresses the crowd after
accepting the 2010 Outstanding Faculty Award. PROVO, Utah – Apr 12, 2010 – Jeffrey H. Dyer, professor of strategy, received the 2010 Outstanding Faculty Award, the highest distinction from the Marriott School of Management at the annual Marriott School Awards Night on March 31. Another 15 faculty, staff and administrators were also honored at the event.

In accepting the award, Dyer shared life lessons that have led to his success, including being persistent, working in a team, questioning the status quo and loving what he does.

"I made the decision to go back and get a Ph.D. and become a professor so that I could pursue knowledge that was really interesting to me," he said, "and I have never regretted it."

Dyer, who is also the chair of the Department of Organizational Behavior, has focused his research on innovation, organizational change and strategic alliances. He is the only strategy scholar in the world to be published five times in both the Strategic Management Journal and the Harvard Business Review.

Dyer is the third member of his family to receive the award. His brother, Gibb, a professor of entrepreneurship, received the award in 2008 and his father, Bill, former Marriott School dean, received the award in 1974.

The school also introduced the new N. Eldon Tanner Award, given to Joseph Ogden, assistant dean, external relations and technology. The new honor recognizes a staff or administrative employee who exemplifies the attributes and character traits of the late N. Eldon Tanner — integrity, humble service, leadership and a sacred regard for resources.

"Joseph's influence on how the world views the Marriott School is tremendous and invaluable," says Marriott School dean Gary Cornia, "and it has had much to do with the increased rankings of our school."

The Teaching Excellence Award for outstanding instruction was given to William Baker, professor of organizational leadership and strategy, and Gary Palmer, teaching professor of recreation management and youth leadership.

Jeffery Thompson, associate professor of public management, received the Scholarly Excellence Award for outstanding efforts in research and publishing.

The Citizenship Award, which recognizes the commitment of faculty in giving administrative and developmental service to students, faculty and programs, was given to William Sawaya, associate professor of global supply chain management, and Brent Wilson, professor of finance.

James Engebretsen, assistant dean, corporate development and career services, and finance teaching professor Gary Williams were given the Marriott Award for outstanding contributions to the Marriott School spirit.

Amy Beck, corporate relations assistant for career services, and Rachel Christensen, program director at the Rollins Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology, each received the Excellence Award, which is given to staff or administrative personnel who demonstrate excellence in management, professionalism, character and initiative.

For their years of service, the school also recognized retiring and departing faculty and administrators Bill Price, managing director of the Rollins Center; Philip Bryson, professor of finance; Capt. Bradley Vargo, assistant professor of aerospace studies; Lt. Col. Theodore Leblow, chair of military science; and Lt. Col. Russell Hopkinson, assistant chair of aerospace studies.

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, entrepreneurship, and recreation management and youth leadership. The school's mission is to prepare men and women of faith, character and professional ability for positions of leadership throughout the world. Approximately 3,300 students are enrolled in the Marriott School's graduate and undergraduate programs.