Paula Fitzgerald, the Nathan Haddad Professor of Business Administration in the West Virginia University College of Business and Economics, has been named the recipient of the 2015 James and Karen Caveney Alumni Association Faculty Excellence Award.

The newly-established award is intended for a “highly-productive” faculty member who demonstrates excellence in teaching and research alongside a demonstrated “commitment to the people of West Virginia.” The alumni sponsors of the award, Dr. James and Karen Caveney, proudly count 19 WVU degrees, including eight doctoral degrees, in their immediate family and are deeply committed to supporting the world-class research and teaching that sets the university apart from other institutions.

“West Virginia University plays an important role on the state, national and global stage in terms of research,” James Caveney said. “Karen and I want to support the outstanding research taking place at our alma mater that will forever change the lives of people not only in West Virginia, but all over the world. We are proud to be able to do that through this new faculty excellence award.”

Fitzgerald, whose areas of research specialty include consumer behavior, public policy and marketing ethics, is regarded as a top public policy researcher at the national level. She has given invited presentations on her research to the West Virginia State Legislature and the federal Food and Drug Administration and worked with the state insurance commissioner in developing training materials for the roll out of the Affordable Care Act.

A member of various research teams that have received external grant monies in excess of $3.8 million, Fitzgerald is also a highly-regarded teacher of students at all levels. In 2014, she was named Faculty Mentor of the Year by the Southern Regional Education Board.

“I am absolutely delighted to see Dr. Fitzgerald honored as the first recipient of the Caveney Award,” Provost Joyce McConnell said. “Her research in the area of public policy goes hand-in-hand with her dedication to improving the lives of West Virginians, resulting in exactly the kind of high-caliber work with a real-world impact that the award seeks to recognize.”

Fitzgerald will receive a $5000 honorarium in professional development funds from the Caveneys and be recognized by WVU President Gordon Gee and Provost McConnell at the April 6 faculty and staff awards dinner at Blaney House.

-WVU-

ac/03/28/16

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