Texas McCombs Presents Awards to Faculty for Teaching, Research 

During the Spring 2025 faculty meeting, the McCombs School Business recognized the teaching and research achievements of its faculty members. “Their scholarly distinction and teaching excellence continue to elevate McCombs’ standing among the world’s premier business schools,” Dean Lillian Mills said. 

She also thanked the Faculty Award Committee members. “Your leadership, commitment to discovery, and unwavering dedication to student success continue to propel McCombs forward in business education excellence,” Mills said. 

Teaching Awards 

Joe D. Beasley Awards for Excellence in MBA Teaching 
Melissa Murphy, Management, Associate Professor of Instruction 
Garrett Sonnier, Marketing, Associate Professor 

Hank and Mary Harkins Foundation Awards for Effective Teaching in Undergraduate Classes 
Michael Sury, Finance, Associate Professor of Practice 
Clint Tuttle, IROM, Associate Professor of Instruction 
Eric Chan, Accounting, Associate Professor 

Fred Moore Assistant Instructor Awards for Teaching Excellence 
Tommy Brown, Finance, Graduate Student 
John-Patrick Akinyemi, IROM, Graduate Student 

The Trammell/CBA Foundation Teaching Awards for Assistant Professors 
Daniel Neuhann, Finance 
Christopher Aarons, Marketing 

Fawn and Vijay Mahajan Teaching Excellence Award for Executive Education 
Kristie Loescher, Management, Professor of Instruction 

Jim Nolen Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching 
Lisa De Simone, Accounting, Professor 
Brian Lendecky, Accounting, Professor of Instruction 

Excellence in Education Awards 
Kristie Loescher, Management, Professor of Instruction 
Eric Hirst, Accounting, Professor 

Research Awards  

CBA Foundation Research Excellence Awards for Assistant Professors 
Sara Toynbee, Accounting 
Daniel Neuhann, Finance 

Research Excellence Award for Associate Professors 
Ashish Agarwal, IROM 

Award for Research Excellence 
Urooj Khan, Accounting, Professor 
Francisco Polidoro, Management, Professor 

Career Award for Outstanding Research Contributions 
Volker Laux, Accounting, Professor 

McCombs School of Business Contributions to Culture 
Laura Starks, Finance, Professor