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·¬ÇÑÉçÇø University honored Brad Mayer as the 2015 University Professor at a ceremony in the Mary and John Gray Library April 8.  Mayer is professor of management and marketing.  The title University Professor is awarded for life and is the most prestigious faculty award conferred by ·¬ÇÑÉçÇø’s academic community.  

“The award is the pinnacle of academic achievement at our university and is recognized by all as an emblem of highest merit,” said Stephen Doblin, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “Recipients are selected by their colleagues and are chosen for their academic stature and achievements, honed in the demanding and competitive culture of higher education.”

In addition, Mayer will become the fourth Ann Die-Hasselmo Scholar, made possible by the creation and funding of the ·¬ÇÑÉçÇø University Faculty Excellence Endowment by Ann Die Hasselmo, a 1966 graduate of ·¬ÇÑÉçÇø.  Honored as ·¬ÇÑÉçÇø’s 1986 Regents’ Professor, Hasselmo was a longtime faculty member whose career path later took her to top university administrative positions and other roles devoted to strengthening academic leadership.

Mayer has been at ·¬ÇÑÉçÇø University for more than two decades, and early in the morning of game days you can find him tailgating in the Plummer Building parking lot with Don Price, Tommy Thompson, Jimmy Moss, a host of colleagues, family members and students. 

He received both a B.S.E in business education and a B.B.A. in marketing from the University of North Dakota.  He continued his education by earning a M.B.A. from Minnesota State and a Ph.D. from the University of North Texas.  His doctoral work was in human resource management.  He is professor of management and, at various times, served as associate dean, director of the M.B.A. program and department chair.

“Dr. Mayer taught every graduating student from the College of Business; every baccalaureate and every M.B.A. student,” said Henry Venta, dean of the College of Business.   “He is one of ·¬ÇÑÉçÇø’s most visible, productive and admired faculty members. He is appreciated by his students, praised by his colleagues, consulted by local business leaders and respected by his scholarly peers.”

Mayer has taught 11 courses, six in the M.B.A. program.  He holds every Franklin Covey Certificate and is professionally certified in human resource management. He developed several new courses and migrated others to an online format.  Mayer served as advisor for ·¬ÇÑÉçÇø’s highly regarded Passport ·¬ÇÑÉçÇø, instructed the College of Business capstone courses, conducted speed interviewing with the Career Center, became a master of Adobe Connect, prepped students for ETS exams and advised thousands of undergraduate and master’s students.  In his courses, he effectively uses gaming pedagogy and emphasizes business ethics, globalism, strategic planning and assessment. 

Needless to say, student evaluation data and comments about Mayer are flattering, and have been for his entire career.  Moreover, he has been formally and professionally recognized for his instructional accomplishments.  He is a Regents’ Merit Award recipient; Master Professor and member of the Hall of Fame for Business Strategy Game; and Educator of the Year nominee for the Southeast Texas Society for Human Resource Management.  Outside of the classroom, Mayer has served as faculty advisor for Sigma Phi Epsilon, Alpha Kappa Psi, “Dinner and Twelve Strangers,” and ·¬ÇÑÉçÇø’s Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management. 

Mayer is equally active in scholarly pursuits.  He is a member of numerous professional organizations and associations, including AACSB, the Aspen Institute and the Academic and Business Research Institute.  He is a productive scholar who has authored or co-authored 18 peer-refereed articles, 17 proceedings papers, and 20 professional papers. 

On the service front, Mayer has assembled an impressive resume. In our experience, Venta said, excellence in instruction and scholarship is usually found among those who generously support their university, community and profession.  Mayer served as associate dean of the College of Business for eight years, director of the M.B.A. program for eight years and chair of the department of management and marketing for a year.  During his tenure, he has served on, and shouldered a hefty workload, in dozens of departmental, college and university committees.  Off-campus, he has lent his professional expertise to local businesses, media and non-profits.

“Dr. Mayer is a model of service for the College of Business,” said Venta.  “As a faculty member, he is a leader in all college endeavors.  As an administrator, he worked harder and longer than anyone else at the college. His leadership capabilities are well known.  I feel his service and leadership have no equal in the College of Business, and probably at the university, and far exceed what is generally expected.”