Business Professor Earns International Award for Social Issue Leadership

PROVO, Utah — Nov 18, 2007 — In recognition for the integration of social issues in research and teaching, The Aspen Institute's Center for Business Education presented the 2007 Faculty Pioneer Award in External Impact to Marriott School Professor Warner Woodworth.

“Dr. Woodworth works to transform management schools into institutions that integrate various business models to improve society,” says the institute. “With his boundless energy and deep commitment, Warner continues to motivate students and industry leaders alike.”

For this year’s award, The Aspen Institute, an international nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering enlightened leadership, received 124 qualifying nominations of professors who exemplify the integration of social issues in the classroom.

As one of the six award recipients, Woodworth was nominated by Lisa Jones Christensen, a former Marriott School student who is now assistant professor at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.

“My biggest goal is to have a long-term impact in the lives of my students,” says Woodworth. “This award is very satisfying because I know they have remembered their experience in my class.”

In his effort to influence others to serve, professor Woodworth has authored 10 books including ‘Working Toward Zion” and “Small Really Is Beautiful: Micro Approaches to Third World Development.” He also co-wrote “Small Fortunes: Microcredit and the Future of Poverty,” a documentary on micro-lending institutions and their influence in overcoming poverty. In addition, students have been motivated to participate alongside Dr. Woodworth with Help International, a nonprofit organization designed to lessen poverty in underdeveloped countries.

“Warner has been one of the most influential professors in helping students want to take action and an active social role,” says Todd Manwaring, managing director of the Economic Self-Reliance Center. “He shares his message everywhere he goes, and he is great at describing the current situation to get people to help.”

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 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.