FCBA faculty joins Bradley Gallery of Excellence

09/22/2011 10:44 AM

By Elise Dismer ’13

Dr. Larry Weinzimmer had written more than 60 refereed papers, three books – one of which became a national bestseller – and yet he had no idea he would be selected for one of Bradley University’s most prestigious honors.

Weinzimmer, a professor of strategic management in the Foster College of Business, was awarded the Caterpillar Professorship during the University Conference in August. It is Bradley’s highest endowed award for professional excellence.

“I was really surprised and extremely honored,” Weinzimmer said. “I was humbled to receive the award.”

The Caterpillar Professorship was created to identify professors at Bradley who have achieved national recognition in their area of specialty or area of research.

Each year, a Bradley committee sends faculty research out all over the world to discover the impact the University’s scholar-teachers are truly having on their field of research. The committee found Weinzimmer had made a name for himself in the field of strategic management by working to improve research methods in construct design and measurement.

“Larry is a first-rate scholar whose selection for this award recognizes his high level of scholarship,” said Dr. Robert Scott, dean of the FCBA. “He is extremely highly thought of, not only among students and faculty here at Bradley, but by his peers around the world.”

While Weinzimmer said it was very rewarding to be acknowledged for all his hard work, he hopes that his professorship will open the door for others in the college to be recognized for their work, too. 

“It’s important for people to know that there are numerous faculty in the college that are doing outstanding research and are receiving national recognition,” Weinzimmer said.

Scott was thrilled when he heard that Weinzimmer received the distinction.

“It shows the quality of the effort being put forward in the college of business.”