Smeal College Faculty & Staff Receive Accolades For Teaching And Advising
The Smeal College of Business Administration is recognizing some members of its faculty and staff for their efforts in teaching and advising at an upcoming award ceremony.
The Smeal College of Business Administration is recognizing some members of its faculty and staff for their efforts in teaching and advising at an upcoming award ceremony.
"The 2000-2001 Fred Brand, Jr. Awards for Excellence in Teaching & Advising" are scheduled to take place 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., February 15, at the Nittany Lion Inn, Boardroom II.
Abdullah Yavas, associate professor of business administration, will receive the Undergraduate Teaching Award. Torsten Ringberg, a Ph.D. candidate, is being recognized with the Graduate Student Teaching Award. Jocelyn Bennett, coordinator of minority affairs and undergraduate student programs, will receive the Undergraduate Advising Award.
The Undergraduate Teaching Award recognizes outstanding business educators for excellence in teaching and for contributions to the art of teaching. Abdullah Yavas is associate professor in the Department of Insurance and Real Estate and research director of the Institute for Real Estate Studies.
Since joining Penn State, Yavas has been involved in the undergraduate and graduate programs in Real Estate where he has taught Real Estate Fundamentals, Valuation of Real Property, Real Estate Finance and Investments, and Advanced Real Estate.
The Graduate Student Teaching Award recognizes success as a teacher in both competence of subject matter and in ability to inspire students to high achievements. This year's recipient, Torsten Ringberg, is on his final leg in finishing his Ph.D. in Marketing. Ringberg has taught Consumer Behavior and the capstone undergraduate course, Marketing Strategy, during the last three years. His research focuses on how internalized cultural codes influence individuals' comprehension of marketing communications.
The Undergraduate Advising Award is presented in recognition of diligent service and rewards outstanding business advisors who have demonstrated sincere interest in the individual student or in student groups. Jocelyn Bennett is coordinator of minority affairs and undergraduate student programs. She serves as the advisor to all four diversity organizations in Smeal College-Women in Business, National Association of Black Accountants, National Hispanic Business Association, and the Multicultural Business Society.
In addition to her exceptional advising methods, Bennett founded the Council of Multicultural Organizations, a roundtable group consisting of student leaders representing the National Association of Black Accountants, National Hispanic Business Association, the Multicultural Business Society, Women in Business and the Student Support Services Business Consortium. She is also the advising founder of the Striving Towards Awareness and Respect for Tomorrow Conference.
The awards are named in honor of Fred Brand, Jr., a native of Sewickley, Pennsylvania, who graduated from Penn State in 1932 with a degree in commerce and finance. He was a successful insurance executive and began his career as an agent with Fidelity Mutual Life Insurance Company. From 1934 until his retirement in 1974, he worked with Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company. In 1974, he joined Brand, Burstin & Runnette, as partner and Brand Associates as secretary. He was a director for the Allegheny General Hospital and chairman of the Western Pennsylvania Heart Fund. He passed away in 1998.
