Kellogg professors honored for teaching excellence

Kellogg students erupted in applause June 5 at the announcement that Gad Allon had been elected the 2009 L.G. Lavengood Outstanding Professor of the Year.

Professor Gad Allon
Photo © Nathan Mandell

Allon, an assistant professor in the Managerial Economics & Decision Sciences Department, was hailed by Lauren Passero '10, academic vice president of the Kellogg Student Association, as an "extremely dedicated and committed professor."

"He is available for his students inside the classroom, outside the classroom and over the summer during their internships," Passero said as she presented the honor. "He brings energy and enthusiasm to the classroom to a subject that I think a lot of us approach with trepidation."

More than 500 students nominated 86 different professors for the award, named for the legendary late Kellogg Professor Lawrence G. Lavengood.

"Your level of commitment helped us step up to the plate," a clearly moved Allon said as he accepted the award. "This day is primarily for you. What we try to do, in a small way, is generate some value for you."

Allon was named top professor by both Full-Time and Part-Time Kellogg MBA students.

Students in the two graduating Executive MBA classes, meanwhile, gave top teaching honors to four different professors. Michael J. Fishman, the Norman Strunk Professor of Financial Institutions, was voted top professor for core academic classes by EMP-73, while Sergio Rebelo, the Tokai Bank Professor of International Finance, received the honor for teaching electives.

EMP-74 students named Timothy Calkins, clinical professor of marketing, top professor for core academic classes and gave Steven Rogers, the Gordon and Llura Gund Family Professor of Entrepreneurship, top honors for electives.