Haslam College of Business - Celebrating Excellence: UT Haslam Honors Staff, Faculty and Students

On May 8, faculty, staff and doctoral students from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Haslam College of Business gathered inside Neyland Stadium for the annual Haslam Awards. Led by Chad Autry, associate dean, Myers Distinguished Professor of Supply Chain Management and R. Stanley Bowden II Faculty Research Fellow, the event was an afternoon of fellowship centered on recognizing excellence across the college.

“Within Haslam, there are countless individuals deserving of recognition for remarkable accomplishments,” said Autry, addressing the college community. “We are fortunate to have such talented and dedicated individuals among us, and each year, you all raise the bar higher.”

Undergraduate Staff Awards

A portion of the Awards ceremony was dedication to recognizing outstanding contributions from undergraduate programs staff across four key areas.

The Outstanding Service Award went to senior academic advisor Heath Cox, with one nominator stating, “He is the kind of person I always want on my team because of his attitude and his ability to get things done.”

Ellie Mulherin, undergraduate programs assistant director, won the Undergrad Outstanding Results Award for her role in leading and transforming the new student advising system for incoming classes, which serves more than 2,500 undergraduate students.

Undergraduate programs assistant director Jennifer Davis won the Outstanding Innovation Award. Davis led the charge for Haslam as the university transitioned advising systems.

The final undergraduate recognition, the Outstanding Teamwork and Collaboration Award, went to the Venture Living and Learning Community team, consisting of assistant director Marg Basehart, academic advisor Walker Fowler, assistant director Drew Story and senior academic advisor Hailey Steuer. The team was praised for consistently and substantially demonstrated commitment to fostering a positive and academically enriching environment.

Graduate and Executive Education Staff Awards

Another portion of the ceremony honored top-performing staff from Haslam’s graduate and executive education (GEE) programs.

Riley Roe, Physician Executive MBA administrative coordinator, won GEE’s Outstanding Service Award for her ability to balance multiple complex projects while maintaining a high standard of service.

The Outstanding Results Award went to Jericho Hawkins, program coordinator for aerospace and defense executive programs. One nomination praised Hawkins for his ability to manage and execute a high volume of programs — more than anyone else in the GEE portfolio.

Kendra Rains, program manager with the Online MBA program, won the Outstanding Innovation Award, with one nominator explaining that Rains demonstrated exceptional innovation and creativity in enhancing the structure and delivery of Canvas courses.

The Outstanding Teamwork and Collaboration Award went to executive education event services manager Aisha Schiebler for the vital role she plays in creating a seamless and memorable customer experience.

College-Wide Staff Awards

The college-wide staff awards celebrated exemplary staff performance across departments and offices.

The Superior Customer Responsiveness Award went to Robyn Geron, director of operations for the Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and an adjunct instructor for the Department of Management and Entrepreneurship. Geron was lauded for her ability to always find a solution, regardless of the circumstances.

The Innovation and Creativity Award went to Jeannine Berge, director of undergraduate professional development and career management, and Adam O’Dell, GEE career management director. The duo was praised for their partnership that has notably improved the range and quality of career services offered within the college.

Financial Information Office business manager Jessica Bartlett won the Tim Williams Award in Professionalism for her knowledge of critical information and approachability.

Bethannie Blumberg, administrative assistant with the Office of Marketing and Public Relations, won the Outstanding Staff Service Award. One nomination stated that Blumberg “understands that strong connections foster better outcomes, and she prioritizes teamwork over individual tasks, knowing that shared effort leads to success.”

The Richard C. Reizenstein Outstanding Commitment to Students Award went to Department of Economics lecturer Josh Dalton, with one nomination stating, “Dr. Dalton fosters an environment where students feel comfortable asking questions and engaging more with the material. He is very approachable and always has the best interest of his students in mind.”

Faculty Awards

Haslam’s faculty awards recognized academic distinction in teaching, service and leadership.

The Allen H. Keally Excellence in Teaching Award went to Department of Finance clinical professor Michael Yates for his exceptional dedication to teaching, his ability to make complex financial concepts accessible and the lasting impact he has on students.

Charlie Cwiek, distinguished lecturer and Department of Business Analytics and Statistics undergraduate program director, won the Outstanding Faculty Service Award. Cwiek was recognized for his decades-long commitment to students, colleagues and the broader university community.

Marketing Ph.D. student Megan Miller won the Outstanding Doctoral Student Teacher Award. She was recognized for her compassionate, student-centered approach to teaching and her dedication to adapting her methods to support diverse learning styles.

Andy Puckett, Paul and Beverly Castagna Professor in Investments and Charles and Dorothy Duggan Faculty Research Fellow, won the Bank of America Faculty Leadership Award. Puckett, a Department of Finance faculty member, developed of a cryptocurrency course, is as an advisor to the cryptocurrency club and contributes to departmental leadership and faculty discussions.

Tom Goldsby, Dee and Jimmy Haslam Chair in Supply Chain and David P. Perrot Supply Chain Management Faculty Fellow with the Department of Supply Chain Management, won the Martin and Carol Robinson Excellence in Teaching, Research and Service Award for his remarkable contributions to teaching, research and service.

The Outstanding Doctoral Student Researcher Award went to marketing Ph.D. student Kiwoong Yoo and management and entrepreneurship Ph.D. student Gavin Williamson. Yoo and Williamson were recognized for their exceptional research productivity, impactful publications in top-tier journals and strong scholarly engagement that signals bright academic futures ahead.

Amazon Distinguished Professor Tom Huang won the Vallett Family Outstanding Researcher Award. The Department of Business Analytics and Statistics faculty member was praised for his prolific and high-impact research across multiple disciplines, his leadership in top academic journals and his dedication to mentoring future scholars.

The Rising Star Researcher Award went to John-Patrick Paraskevas, Ray and Joan Myatt Faculty Fellow and Department of Supply Chain Management assistant professor, who was recognized for his scholarly output, interdisciplinary impact and thought leadership.

The Richard Sanders Faculty Leadership Award went to Department of Supply Chain Management associate professor Randy Bradley, who was recognized for nearly two decades of dedicated service, impactful teaching and strategic mentorship.

Jim Reeve, professor emeritus with the Department of Accounting and Information Management, won the George Miller, Jr. Award for Lifetime Achievement in Executive Education. Reeve was honored for over four decades of service, transformative impact on executive education at Haslam and his ability to make even the most complex topics accessible.

Special Recognitions

The Haslam Awards ceremony concluded with new and meaningful acknowledgments of community spirit and support.

Haslam’s Office of Marketing and Public Relations won the inaugural Community Building Award. The office consists of administrative assistant Bethannie Blumberg, executive director Tanya Brown, assistant director of digital marketing and communications Sean Harrington, senior project manager Lori Herron, senior editor Leah McAmis, senior business writer Scott McNutt and social media manager Taylor Mercer. The team was recognized for its use of communication to foster unity and connection within the Haslam community.

Fourth-year management and entrepreneurship Ph.D. student Nataliia Yakushko won the Volunteer Spirit Award. Originally from Ukraine, Yakushko was honored for her dedication to supporting communities in need while also advancing her academic and community engagement efforts in the U.S. Melissa Cardon, James A. II and Natalie L. Haslam Distinguished Professorship in Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Clark Family Faculty Fellow, introduced Yakushko and presented her with the award. Melissa Cardon, James A. II and Natalie L. Haslam Distinguished Professorship in Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Clark Family Faculty Fellow, introduced Yakushko and presented her with the Volunteer Spirit Award.

“Nataliia has provided an extraordinary amount of time, effort and devotion into community service on behalf of her home,” she said. “These efforts also led her to be awarded the Ukrainian Medal of Honor by the Ukrainian Government in 2023 and the UT Chancellor’s Extraordinary Service Award.

Cardon also praised Yakushko’s work as a scholar.

“Nataliia has also done an excellent job with her research and teaching obligations within the management and entrepreneurship department at Haslam,” Cardon added. “Her research work is generating knowledge that can help individuals currently coping with the war in Ukraine, and other wars around the world, as well as governments and other policy makers to help their country and its people survive, and hopefully eventually thrive, once again.”

An Exceptional School

As the event drew to a close, Autry reflected on the spirit of the day and the importance of lifting one another up through recognition and gratitude.

“We hope you carry the spirit of celebration with you,” he said. “Thank you for joining us to recognize and honor the incredible achievements that continue to make the Haslam College of Business a truly exceptional school.”

CONTACT

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Leah McAmis, senior editor, leah@utk.edu