Dr. Okunade Granted the Willard R. Sparks Eminent Faculty Award

For release:  May 19, 2015

Dr. Albert Okunade, department of Economics, was presented the Willard R. Sparks Eminent Faculty Award. This award is the highest distinction given to a faculty member by the University. Dr. Okunade has made outstanding and sustainable contributions to scholarly and creative activity, teaching, and service.

A University committee, along with the support from The University of Memphis Board of Visitors, helped determine the recipient of the Willard R. Sparks Eminent Faculty Award. The committee was composed of nine faculty members that screened various nominations and narrowed down to three finalists. Dr. Okunade was selected from among the three top finalists by a committee composed of three members of the Board of Visitors. The University of Memphis Board of Visitors includes a number of influential people from the Memphis area business community.

This award can only be given once to an individual who has been active and continuously employed by the University for at least five years. Dr. Okunade will receive a $20,000 cash prize and a commemorative crystal that will be presented at the 2015 Spring Faculty Convocation..