Professor Honored with Drucker Award at Claremont

PROVO, Utah – Jan 20, 2010 – Claremont Graduate University honored Warner P. Woodworth, professor of organizational leadership and strategy at Brigham Young University, as the first Peter F. Drucker Centennial Global Entrepreneur in Residence.

"Professor Woodworth has influenced the lives and thinking of literally thousands of students in the course of his career," says Michael P. Thompson, Marriott School associate dean. "This is a high honor from the Drucker School of Management at Claremont."

The Drucker School awarded Woodworth the honorary teaching position as part of its year-long, centennial celebration of the late management guru, Peter F. Drucker. Drucker rose to prominence for his insights into the world of big business, while still promoting the social sector. Woodworth was selected for his embodiment of those same ideals.

"We were blown away by his passion, his authenticity, his range and depth of understanding, and his leadership," says Ira Jackson, Drucker School dean. "He is a leader of innovation, and he has so much potential to address the daunting issues that are facing our society."

In addition to Woodworth's academic accomplishments, his experience outside the classroom sets him apart from others in the field, says Jeff Dyer, head of the department of organizational leadership and strategy.

"Dr. Woodworth speaks from experience, having established numerous NGOs that have raised millions of dollars to support entrepreneurial activities in emerging markets," Dyer says. "He is an excellent choice to help teach Drucker MBAs to do the same."

As a distinguished fellow, Woodworth will teach an intensive one-month course this spring and will advise Claremont faculty on ways to design courses in new areas of management such as social entrepreneurship. Woodworth says he hopes to be able to help MBA students in the Drucker School confront local problems using pro bono consulting and social enterprise tools.

"It's exciting for me to build on Drucker's legacy," Woodworth says, "especially since so much of his work was focused on nonprofit management. It's an honor to have his name attached to the privilege of teaching at the Drucker School."

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.