The Walker College of Business hosted an International Business awards ceremony on November 6, 2015.
The event took place in the Grandfather Ballroom of Plemmons Student Union, on the campus of Appalachian State University. The program brought together students, faculty and staff from the Walker College of Business to honor those who have devoted both their careers and educational experiences to international studies.
Dr. MacHarg, Director of Academic Civic Engagement at Appalachian addressed the group, and Dr. Jesse Lutabingwa, Associate Vice Chancellor of International Programs for the university, brought greetings.
Dr. Martin Meznar, Walker College of Business Associate Dean of International Programs, and Ms. Meredith Church Pipes, International Programs specialist for the college, presented fourteen individuals with awards.
Junior International Business major Jack Terrell received the Outstanding International Business Major Award, while senior Management major Hathum Hamam received the Outstanding International Business Minor Award. These awards were given in recognition of the students' exceptional academic success and their remarkable international engagement.
Pictured, Hathum Hamam helps present the International Business Student Association awards.
In recognition of their exceptional contribution to furthering the goals of IBSA, junior International Business major Reena Patel received the International Business Student Association Leadership Award, while freshman International Business major Gil Dyer received the International Business Student Association New Member Award.
Sophomore Child Devolvement major Caitlyn Murray was awarded the AIESEC Leaders that Achieve Award for her display of incredible leadership capability and outstanding results in the local committee. In recognition of his dedication to world issues and the embodiment of AIESEC values, freshman Marketing major Tyler Doman was awarded the AIESEC Global Citizen Award.
Receiving the College of Business Global Citizen Award, Senior Risk Management and Insurance major Matthew Murphy was honored for his efforts in establishing meaningful connections with the local population beyond the classroom. The Rugged Backpacker Award was given to senior International Business major Sam Trexler for taking the road less traveled with his uncommon sense of adventure.
Executive in Residence Leigh Dunston was awarded Favorite International Business Professor Award in recognition of opening the minds of students to new horizons, possibilities and ideas.
Pictured, Dr. Al Harris, center, receives the Lifetime Achievement Award from Dr. Marty Meznar, left.
The Walker College of Business also encourages students to study abroad and provides a variety of short-term international programs designed to develop international business skills and intercultural knowledge. The International Program recognized and awarded individuals who participated in and lead those trips.
MBA student Darin Hodges received the Faculty-Led Program MVP Award to recognize his outstanding leadership during international travel, while Associate Dean of the College of Business Dr. Sandra Vannoy received the Greatest All-Around Program Leader Award as voted on by students who found her "organized, informed, approachable and fun!"
In addition, Assistant Professor of CIS and SCM Dr. Ken Corley was awarded the International Engagement Award for his work creating innovative partnerships with local and foreign businesses to deliver educational excellence.
To conclude the ceremony, Assistant Professor of Management, Dr. Heather Dixon-Fowler was given the Inspiring International Leaders Award in recognition of her success at inspiring students to go beyond their comfort zone in building a better world, while CIS and SCM professor Dr. Al Harris received the Lifetime Achievement Award for devoting his career to provide students with international opportunities.
He will travel to Poland in spring 2016 on his second Fulbright Award for research and/or teaching. The first was an assignment in Portugal. As a Fulbright Scholar, he will teach classes in information technology to master's-level students at Adam Mickiewicz University in Pozan, Poland, where he served as a guest lecturer for three weeks in 2011.
In 2013, Harris started a study abroad experience in Poland where students from Appalachian worked with Polish students on a week-long project. He also led a study abroad to the university in Poland in 2014 and again in May.
Harris has also served visiting faculty appointments around the globe. In 2013, Harris lectured to Chinese graduate students and faculty at Northeastern University in Shenyang, China. He has also served as an exchange professor to the University of Angers in France. Harris taught graduate seminars at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan, Poland in 2011 and at the University of Évora in Évora, Portugal in 2006, the latter was another Fulbright Scholar assignment. For several years, Harris taught undergraduate classes at Fachhochschule Vorarlberg in Dornbirn, Austria, where he instructed courses comprised of students from more than 10 countries. Harris has experience in teaching military and civilian personnel through his experience teaching graduate classes in Lakenhealth, UK and Heidelberg, Germany.
Harris believes international experience is important to an individual's development and encourages students at Appalachian to take the opportunity to travel with the Walker College of Business. Learn more about Harris' experience and philosophies.
To learn more about the WCOB's International Progams, click here.
Dr. Al Harris, center, receives the Lifetime Achievement Award from Dr. Marty Meznar, left.
