Top Teachers for 2011 Recognized with Allen J. Krowe Awards

The Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland is recognized as one of the top research institutions in the world, but it is also a place where students can learn from some of the best teachers in the business. Allen J. Krowe, a distinguished alumnus of both the business school and the university, established the Krowe Teaching Awards in 1986 to recognize and promote excellence in teaching.

Krowe majored in accounting and economics and knows how crucial a good teacher can be, especially in a demanding subject. “During my time at the University of Maryland, I had a very outstanding set of instructors; they were just sensational,” he said. “As a senior I took a national accounting exam that was given to all the big business schools. I scored in the 99th percentile, and several of my friends scored in the 97th percentile. It was indication that we were really being taught well.”

The Krowe Awards nomination and evaluation process is managed by the Smith School's Teaching Enhancement Committee. Both students and alumni are eligible to enter nominations for this award. The Committee received numerous worthy nominations and is proud to announce this year's Krowe Award winners:

Progyan Basu, Tyser Teaching Fellow, Accounting and Information Assurance: Recognized for his contributions to the undergraduate and EMBA programs. “He genuinely exudes his love for teaching; and he is a great ambassador for the EMBA Program.”

Cristian Dezso, Assistant Professor, Logistics, Business and Public Policy: Recognized for his outstanding core MBA teaching. “Students have been uniformly positive about the MBA courses he teaches.”

Hassan Ibrahim, Tyser Teaching Fellow, Decision, Operations and Information Technologies: Recognized for his ability to create a fine learning atmosphere in his classroom. “He taught with a sense of purpose and with humor.”

Oliver Schlake, Tyser Teaching Fellow, Management and Organization: Recognized for his ability to teach and be a role model. “He is the perfect embodiment of the ideas and principles we are meant to learn and a fine role model for a manager/entrepreneur.”

Michel Wedel, PepsiCo Professor of Consumer Science, Marketing: Recognized for his contribution to the quality of teaching at the Smith School. “He has provided excellent teaching at the MBA and PhD levels and has been an invaluable mentor to students and faculty alike.”

Susan White, Distinguished Tyser Teaching Fellow, Finance: Recognized for her welcoming teaching style. “She connected class material with current events and provided ample opportunity for students to seek her help.”

The Legg-Mason Award in Teaching Innovation recognizes innovation in instruction in the classroom and other instructional means. This year’s recipient is:

Mark Wellman, Tyser Teaching Fellow, Management and Organization: Recognized for innovation in teaching through domestic and foreign travel. “He scheduled 18 visits with top executives, and I learned a great deal in 10 days.”