Spears Business faculty, staff honored at 2025 University Awards Convocation

Tuesday, December 9, 2025

Media Contact: Stephen Howard | Director of Marketing & Communications | 405-744-4363 | stephen.howard@okstate.edu

The Spears School of Business was well-represented at Oklahoma State University’s 2025 University Awards Convocation. 

Dr. Jeanette Mendez, OSU provost, and Dr. Chris Francisco, senior vice provost, presented the awards Dec. 8 in the Student Union Ballroom. The annual ceremony honors faculty, staff and administrators who go above and beyond to propel OSU forward. 

“I congratulate our Spears School of Business faculty and staff honored at the University Awards Convocation,” said Dr. Jim Payne, Spears Business dean. “These outstanding individuals elevate our commitment to high-quality research, impactful teaching, student support and career development.”

The following Spears Business employees were honored:

• Dr. Nikos Dimotakis, professor and Raymond A. Young Chair in the Department of Management, received the Regents Distinguished Research Award, which includes a $2,000 permanent stipend. This award recognizes faculty who have shown unusually significant achievement in their field of research.
• Dr. Maribeth Kuzmeski, associate professor of professional practice in the School of Marketing and International Business, received the Regents Distinguished Teaching Award, which carries a $2,000 permanent stipend. This award recognizes faculty who have shown unusually significant achievement in the instruction of students for an extended number of years.
• Rachel Cox, instructor of professional practice in the School of Accounting, received the Online Teaching Excellence Award, which includes a $2,000 stipend. This award recognizes a faculty member with a strong commitment to engaged online teaching and student success.
• Dr. Sunny Su, assistant professor of professional practice in the Department of Economics, received the Merrick Foundation Teaching Award, which carries a $1,500 stipend. This award is presented to a faculty member who is judged to bring students a better understanding and appreciation of the American economic system.
• Amber Singleton, academic advisor in the Chesapeake Energy Business Student Success Center, received the Advising Excellence Award. This award provides institutional recognition for outstanding academic advising by faculty and staff.
• Dr. Lindsey Greco, associate professor, William S. Spears Professor and Ph.D. coordinator in the Department of Management, received the Distinguished Early Career Faculty Award, which carries a $2,000 stipend. This award recognizes faculty who were awarded tenure within the past three years and have demonstrated a strong potential for continued contributions in the areas of instruction, research, creative activity and/or extension and outreach.

The following Spears Business faculty received medallions for their recent appointments to endowed chair and professorship positions:

• Dr. Aaron Burt, Greg Massey Professorship in Finance
• Dr. Marlys Mason, Jeanine Rhea/Oklahoma International Women’s Forum Professorship 
• Dr. Rick Laux, Judy Freeman Johnson Professorship in Accounting
• Dr. Brij Thapa, Kim and Chuck Watson Chair in Business
• Dr. Justin Lawrence, Noble Foundation Chair in Marketing Strategy
• Dr. David Carter, Paul C. Wise Chair for Excellence in Finance
• Dr. Bidisha Lahiri, Don and Cathey Humphreys Business Chair in the School of Global Studies

Among the top 6% of the world’s schools offering business degrees, Spears Business prepares people to make a difference in the world by teaching essential interpersonal skills alongside a high-quality business education backed by impactful research and outreach. 

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