UT COBI faculty member could become global business professor of the year

Dr. Clint Longenecker, Stranahan Professor of Leadership and Business Excellence in the College of Business and Innovation at The University of Toledo, has been nominated to win the Economist Intelligence Unit Business Professor of the Year.

 The award, presented by The Economist and sponsored by Hult International Business School, was created to find and recognize the best business professor in the world. A group of Longenecker’s former students nominated him, and other current and previous students began voting on Tuesday, October 23.

Longenecker, a graduate of UT, has been a faculty member here for more than 30 years. During his career, he has received more than 40 awards for his outstanding leadership, teaching, research and service to the community.

“Not only is he a great teacher, but he really cares about his students,” said Laura Brady, a graduate student at UT and a former student of Longenecker. “He’s always available whenever students have problems in the classroom or in their personal life. He is always there to talk, give advice or help his students find jobs or internships.”

Longenecker has held seminars and lectures all over the world, teaching a variety of pupils. He has given lectures in Russia, Haiti, Zimbabwe, Barbados and Hungary, as well as delivered seminars to members of the United States military.

“What’s unique about Clint is his ability to connect with students,” said Trent Miller, a graduate student at UT and another former student of Longenecker. “In the first class session I had with him last Spring, the class was from 7:30 to 9:50 p.m. As people walked into the room, they introduced themselves, and by nine o’clock he had everyone’s names memorized.”

Current and former students as well as alums can vote for Dr. Longenecker by completing a form online. Once a vote is cast, it must be verified via email before the deadline at 1 p.m. on Friday, November 23.

The 10 professors who receive the most votes will make it on a long list, along with five other professors selected by the judges so professors at larger universities do not have an advantage. From these 15 professors, four will be chosen by the judges to compete in a live teach-off.

For the teach-off, the top four will be flown to London where they will present a short lecture to a live classroom audience and online. The presentation will be on a topic of their choice, and at the end viewers will vote and the winner, who will receive the title of EIU Business Professor of the Year as well as $100,000, will be announced live.

For more information on the award or to vote for Longenecker, visit www.businessprofessoraward.com