Jon Eckhardt, associate professor in the Management and Human Resources department, was this year’s recipient of the Erwin A. Gaumnitz Distinguished Faculty Teaching Award which recognizes the outstanding contributions he has made to teaching. At the online Wisconsin School of Business award celebration on Friday, April 24, Ella Mae Matsumura, Senior Associate Dean, said:
“It is with pleasure the committee recognizes Jon Eckhardt’s commitment to the classroom and pursuit of pedagogical innovation with this year’s Gaumnitz Distinguished Faculty Teaching Award! Over the past several years, Jon has redesigned the introductory entrepreneurship course for non-business students in radical ways, and in doing so, he has expanded access to accommodate hundreds of students pursuing the Certificate in Entrepreneurship. His emphasis on applied learning in the re-envisioned class, moreover, challenges students to fully develop, de-risk, and execute an idea for a lifestyle apparel “company” within weeks. That effort bolsters students’ capabilities while also building their confidence. While the model has garnered positive media mentions and generated strong student evaluations, Jon’s disposition to support others evidenced in the nomination packet is notable, too. Consistent with the Wisconsin Idea, he has published materials on the Entrepreneur and Innovation Exchange to distribute the innovative exercise broadly to instructors at other universities. Outside of the classroom, Jon has also developed important ways for students to continue to deepen their learning about entrepreneurial practices and career pathways, including through intense mentoring available at the Wisconsin Entrepreneurs’ Showcase and through casual conversations in the Distinguished Entrepreneur Luncheons. For his embrace of innovation in the classroom and exceptional commitment to student learning beyond it, we believe he embodies the values this award celebrates!”
Congratulations Jon on your well-deserved teaching award!
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