About G.A. Sywassink
The annual Day of Excellence Faculty and Staff Recognition Dinner and Awards are made possible through funding provided by Mr. G.A. Sywassink, Chairman of Standard Holding Corporation. A long-time supporter of Appalachian State University, Mr. Sywassink is a former member and chair of the Business Advisory Council for the Walker College. He is past chair of Appalachian's Board of Trustees and a past member of the UNC System Board of Governors. Mr. Sywassink is an Honorary Alumnus of Appalachian and a 1994 Honoree of the Walker College chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma. He and his wife, Shirley, have two sons and one daughter. Malissa received degrees from Appalachian in 1997 and 2002, and Chris is a 1996 Walker College graduate.
Faculty Award Nominations
Teaching excellence is high on the list of priorities in the John A. Walker College of Business, and research and scholarly excellence are integral components of the College's mission. Additionally, faculty are regularly called upon to support the College, the University, and other organizations in important service capacities. The purpose of the College of Business Faculty Awards Program is to provide recognition of outstanding accomplishments in any of the three areas. Submit a nomination.
Awards Guidelines
- Tenure Track and Non-Tenure Track Faculty Awards Policy (PDF, 470 KB)
- Staff Awards Policy (PDF, 369 KB)
Staff Award Nominations
Staff members play a vital role in supporting the Walker College's mission and in ensuring that the College's strategic plan is achieved. Staff are regularly called upon to support the College, the University, and other organizations in important service capacities. Submit a nomination.
Spirit of Walker Awards
In addition to awards previously established starting in 1996, two Spirit of Walker Awards were added in 2018. The Spirit of Walker Awards recognize one faculty member and one staff member who most exemplify the Walker College core values and bring positive, significant recognition to the college and university. Submit a nomination.
Sywassink Faculty and Staff Award Winners
The Sywassink Awards are presented annually. Winners receive a monetary prize and a bronze medallion of the university seal. The awards are presented during the annual Day of Excellence faculty and staff recognition.
Previous Winners
2023
Teaching: Dr. Brandy Hadley, Finance, Banking & Insurance
Research: Dr. Dave McEvoy, Economics
Service: Dr. Tanga Mohr, Economics
Non-tenure Track: Ms. Christy Cook, Marketing & Supply Chain Management
Outstanding Staff: Ms. Wendy Deng, Brantley Risk & Insurance
Spirit of Walker Faculty: Dr. Jeff Kaleta, Computer Information Systems
Spirit of Walker Staff: Dr. Josh Silvey, Dir. of Assessment and Accreditation
2022
Teaching: Austin Eggers, J.D., Finance, Banking & Insurance
Research: Dr. Kristl Davison, Management
Service: Dr. Pia Albinsson, Marketing & Supply Chain Managment
Non-tenure Track: Mr. John Lehman, Economics
Outstanding Staff: Ms. Jennifer Hayward, Development Specialist
Spirit of Walker Faculty: Dr. Kevin Eller, Accounting
Spirit of Walker Staff: Ms. Kathy Mann, Scholarship Coordinator
2021
Teaching: Dr. Mary Ann Hofmann, Accounting
Research: Dr. Rajat Panwar, Management
Service: Dr. Lori Medders, Finance, Banking & Insurance
Non-tenure Track: Ms. Laura Brewer, Marketing & Supply Chain Management
Outstanding Staff: Ms. Sheryl Kane, Academic Advising Center
Spirit of Walker Faculty: Dr. Unal Boya, Marketing & Supply Chain Management and Dr. Robin Byerly, Management
Spirit of Walker Staff: Ms. Kim Bock, Dean’s Office
2020
Teaching: Dr. Bonnie Guy, Marketing & Supply Chain Management
Research: Dr. Brandy Hadley, Finance, Banking & Insurance
Service: Dr. Lakshmi Iyer, Computer Information Systems
Non-Tenure Track: Dr. Kevin Huff, Finance, Banking & Insurance; Ms. Jan Woods, Accounting
Outstanding Staff: Ms. Samantha Fuentes, Computer Information Systems
Spirit of Walker Faculty: Dr. Tracy Reed, Accounting
Spirit of Walker Staff: Ms. Linda Meznar, Dean's Office
Honorary Sywassink Award: Dr. Heather Hulburt Norris
2019
Teaching: Dr. Rachel Shinnar, Management
Research: Dr. Peter Groothuis, Economics
Service: Dr. Pennie Bagley, Accounting
Non-Tenure Track: Ms. Mary Stolberg, Accounting
Outstanding Staff: Ms. Michelle Boisclair, Business Career Services
Spirit of Walker Faculty: Dr. Dana Clark, Management
Spirit of Walker Staff: Ms. Amy Odom, Business Career Services
2018
Teaching: Dr. Onur Ince, Economics
Research: Dr. Pia Albinsson, Marketing
Service: Dr. Jamie Parson, Finance, Banking & Insurance
Non-Tenure Track: Mr. Jesse Pipes, Management
Outstanding Staff: Ms. Jane Fitchlee, Dean's Office
Spirit of Walker Faculty: Dr. Dawn Medlin, Computer Information Systems & Supply Chain Management
Spirit of Walker Staff: Mr. Greg Langdon, Brantley Risk & Insurance Center
2017
Teaching: Dr. Ron Marden, Accounting
Research: Dr. Carol Kline, Management
Service: Dr. Betty Coffey, Management
Non-Tenure Track: Ms. Rachel Keller, Accounting
Outstanding Staff: Ms. Haley Childers, Dean's Office
2016
Teaching: Dr. Jeff Hobbs, Finance, Banking & Insurance
Research: Dr. Ash Morgan, Economics
Service: Dr. David Marlett, Finance, Banking & Insurance
Non-Tenure Track: Mr. Richard Mattar, Finance, Banking & Insurance
Outstanding Staff: Ms. Christy Cook, Marketing
2015
Teaching: Dr. Rich Pouder, Management
Research: Dr. Brian Whitaker, Management
Service: Dr. Dinesh Davé, Operations Research and Management Science
Service: Dr. Scott Hunsinger, Computer Information Systems
Non-Tenure: Ms. Barbara Michel, Marketing
Outstanding Staff: Ms. Chelsie Eldreth, Computer Information Systems
2014
Teaching: Dr. Sandra Vannoy, Computer Information Systems
Research: Dr. Dawn Medlin, Computer Information Systems
Service: Dr. Mark Strazicich, Economics
Non-Tenure : Mr. Jonathan Allen, Finance and Banking
Outstanding staff: Mr. Tung Ong, Computer Consultant
2013
Teaching: Dr. Ben Powell, Management
Research: Dr. Rachel S. Shinnar, Management
Service: Dr. Dana Clark, Management
Non-Tenure: Mr. Chris Taylor, Computer Information Systems
Outstanding staff: Donna Lindabury, MBA program
2012
Teaching: Dr. Jim Westerman, Management
Research: Dr. Mike Dotson, Marketing
Service: Dr. Karen Epermanis, Finance, Insurance and Banking
Non-Tenure: Dr. Tom Will, Management
Outstanding staff: Kathy Smith, Advising Center
2011
Teaching: Dr. Scott Hunsinger, Computer Information Systems
Research: Dr. Mike McKee, Economics
Service: Dr. Stella Anderson, Management
Non-Tenure: Kevin Eller, Accounting
2010
Teaching: Dr. David McEvoy, Economics
Research: Dr. Joseph Cazier, Computer Information Systems
Service: Dr. Lyle Schoenfeldt, Management
Non-Tenure: Rachel Keller, Accounting
2009
Teaching: Dr. Ken Brackney, Accounting
Research: Dr. Jim Westerman, Management
Service: Dr. Dinesh Davé, Computer Information Systems
Non-Tenure: Dr. Leigh Dunston, Finance
2008
Teaching: Dr. Claudia Kelley, Accounting
Research: Dr. David Dickinson, Economics
Service: Dr. Todd Cherry, Economics
Non-Tenure: Jan Woods, Accounting
2007
Teaching: Dr. Ivan Roten, Finance, Banking and Insurance
Research: Dr. John Whitehead, Economics
Service: Dr. Ron Marden, Accounting
Non-Tenure: Bryan Toney, Management
2006
Teaching: Dr. Steven Milsaps, Economics
Research: Dr. Charlie Chen, Computer Information Systems
Service: Dr. Albert Harris, Computer Information Systems
Non-Tenure: Roderic Baker, Finance, Banking and Insurance
2005
Teaching: Dr. Harry Davis, Finance, Banking and Insurance
Research: Dr. Richard Pouder, Management
Service: Dr. Ivan Roten, Finance, Banking and Insurance
Non-Tenure: Dr. Leigh Dunston, Finance, Banking and Insurance
2004
Teaching: Dr. John W. Dawson, Economics
Research: Dr. Todd L. Cherry, Economics
Service: Dr. B. Dawn Medlin, Computer Information Systems
Non-Tenure: Mr. Robert E. McMahon, Marketing
2003
Teaching: Dr. Jeremy B. Fox, Management
Research: Dr. Lawrence L. Garber, Marketing
Service: Dr. Richard E. Crandall, Computer Information Systems
Non-Tenure: Mr. Bryan C. Toney, Management
2002
Teaching: Dr. William M. Baker, Accounting
Research: Dr. Terrill R. Keasler, Finance, Banking and Insurance
Service: Dr. Steven W. Millsaps, Economics
Non-Tenure: Ms. Sandra A. Vannoy, Computer Information Systems
2001
Teaching: Dr. Larry V. Ellis, Economics
Research: Dr. Eva M. Hyatt, Marketing
Service: Dr. Jean-Pierre Courbois, Economics
2000
Teaching: Dr. Don R. Cox, Finance, Banking and Insurance
Research: Dr. Ronald E. Marden, Accounting
Service: Dr. Robert D. Goddard III, Management
1999
Teaching: Dr. Betty S. Coffey, Management
Research: Dr. Garey C. Durden, Economics
Service: Dr. Timothy B. Forsyth, Accounting
1998
Teaching: Dr. Raymond L. Larson, Accounting
Research: Dr. Joseph P. Daly, Management
Service: Dr. Michael R. Evans, Management
1997
Teaching: Dr. Delbert C. Goff, Finance, Insurance and Real Estate
Research: Dr. Peter D. Villanova, Management
Service: Professor Charles C. Speer, Accounting
1996
Teaching: Dr. Patricia E. Gaynor, Economics
Research: Dr. Dinesh S. Davé, Computer Information Systems
Service: Dr. David D. Wood, Finance, Insurance and Real Estate
The awards are presented in May of each year. Recipients are listed with their department.