Business professors represent Baker on national level

Baker University business and economics professors are ensuring Baker is represented at a national level through service to prestigious academic honor societies.

Dr. Alan Grant, professor of business and economics, serves as the national president for Omicron Delta Epsilon, an international honor society that recognizes scholastic achievements in economics. Grant has taught at Baker since 2007 and in 2015 was awarded the Jennie Howell Kopke and Verda R. Kopke Award for Distinguished Teaching, and was also honored with a Kansas Independent College Association’s Faculty of Distinction award. He has written an economics textbook and The Economics of Seinfeld, which serves as link between traditional undergraduate business learning and popular culture.

Dr. Kevin McCarthy, professor of business and economics, was recently named to Delta Mu Delta’s nominating committee’s slate of candidates for election as national vice-president in November, serving an anticipated two-year term if elected. Delta Mu Delta is an international business honor society that recognizes and encourages academic excellence of college and university students.McCarthy has taught at Baker since 1993 and was the founding faculty adviser for Eta Phi Chapter of Delta Mu Delta at Baker. He was inducted as an honorary member in 1996. Known for his ability to translate complex business analytics concepts into real-world application, McCarthy was awarded the Jennie Howell Kopke and Verda R. Kopke Award for Distinguished Teaching in 2016. Also in 2016, he was honored with a Kansas Independent College Association’s Faculty of Distinction award.

These newest office holders join Dr. Judy Smrha, professor of business and economics, who served from 2009 to 2010 as the international president for Phi Beta Delta, an international honor society that recognizes scholarly achievement in international education. Smrha has taught at Baker since 1995, where her area of emphasis is applied microeconomics, statistics, and sports economics.

“I think our involvement with the boards of directors and their national offices has been very valuable in providing insight into faculty and universities from across the country,” McCarthy said. “We share the same interest in the success of our students and graduates, of course. These honors have also helped increase awareness of Baker University to a broader audience.”