June 2, 2005

Business Faculty Recognized for Excellence
By Marsha Turner

Appalachian State University professors Richard Pouder, left, Ivan Roten, Harry Davis and Leigh Dunston are this year’s recipients of the Walker College of Business’s 2005 awards for excellence. (Appalachian photo by University Photographer Mike Rominger)

BOONE – Four Appalachian State University faculty in the Walker College of Business have received the college’s 2005 Award for Excellence.

Dr. Harry Davis received the Award for Excellence in Teaching; Dr. Richard Pouder was honored for his research contributions; and the Excellence in Service Award was presented to Dr. Ivan Roten. Dr. Leigh Dunston was honored as the outstanding non-tenured faculty member.

“I want students to feel, upon reflection, that my teaching was positive and made a difference in their lives,” said Davis, a professor of finance. “I teach courses that are closely related to specific participants of the financial services industryand my interaction with business leaders allows me to have the very best and latest information concerning the ‘real world’ application of the material I cover in class.”

Davis has served as the dean of the North Carolina Bankers Association’s School of Banking since 2004. He is also the economist and chair holder of the North Carolina Bankers Association. A frequent speaker throughout the state on economic issues, he is often sought by the media for his comments.

In addition to his 29-year teaching career at Appalachian, Davis also chaired the Department of Finance, Insurance and Real Estate, now the Department of Finance, Banking and Insurance, for 15 years. He received his doctorate in banking and finance from the University of Georgia and joined the Appalachian faculty in 1976.

Pouder is an associate professor of management. “My devotion to research is motivated by the challenge of exploring domains in which I can apply newly acquired knowledge in addition to knowledge acquired in previous research,” he said.

Pouder’s main areas of research involve strategies affecting organizational structure and performance, and strategic management at the regional level and strategies affecting innovation. His work has been cited in some of the best journals in management and regional studies, and he also frequently reviews other researchers’ manuscripts for journal publication.

Pouder received his doctorate in management from the University of Connecticut after a 10-year career in private industry. He joined the Walker College of Business faculty in 2000.

Roten is an assistant professor in the Department of Finance, Banking and Insurance.

He is interested in providing the best education possible and makes himself available to students both in and outside the classroom. In addition to teaching, he is the faculty advisor for the Finance Student Association and volunteers his time to assist with college academic advising each year.

He is the program director for the Certificate in Financial Planning and has been instrumental in creating an Executive Certificate in Financial Planning. He has also been actively involved in raising funds for student scholarships.

Roten received a master’s in business administration and educational specialist degree from Appalachian and served as a lecturer in the college for several years prior to obtaining his doctorate in finance from the University of Kentucky. He joined the Appalachian faculty in 2001.

Dunston is a visiting professor in the Department of Finance, Banking and Insurance. He brings to the classroom a wealth of experience from his 30-year career as a successful civil trial lawyer in Florida. Dunston received his law degree from Georgetown University Law School.

Dunston “challenges his students to use critical thinking skills and doesn’t accept mediocrity in his discussions or exams,” says colleague Ivan Roten. “Due to this standard, students are often found in his office discussing class material and life.”

Dunston teaches Legal Environment of Business and International Business Transactions as undergraduate courses and Business Ethics to MBA students. He consistently receives above average evaluations from his students for his teaching methods and for his willingness to mentor students.

The Walker College of Business’s faculty excellence awards are presented annually. Winners receive a monetary prize and a bronze medallion featuring the university seal.

The awards are funded with a contribution from G.A. Sywassink, CEO of Standard Holding Company of Charlotte. A member and former chair of the college’s business advisory council, Sywassink also serves as chair of the Appalachian State University Foundation Board’s Investments Advisory Committee. He is an honorary alumnus of Appalachian.

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