Today, I was honored to receive the 2023-2024 Joe D. Beasley Award for Excellence in Graduate Teaching from Dean Lillian Mills, Senior Associate Dean Ethan Burris, and my esteemed colleagues at the UT Austin McCombs School of Business. This recognition reflects the incredible students and colleagues I have the privilege of working with at the University of Texas at Austin.
Teaching has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my life. What motivates me to teach:
"Pay it forward." The best way for me to repay the professors and colleges that developed me as a young adult is to pass on that kindness to others, creating a chain of goodwill.
Stay current in my field. When I started marketing computers for Dell in 1992, web browsers hadn't even been created yet. Teaching allows me to stay current with the continuously changing field of marketing.
Lifelong learning. As a lifelong learner, teaching feeds my endless curiosity by engaging with talented students and faculty and having access to the latest research.
Intellectual stimulation. Intellectual stimulation is a vital ingredient in the recipe for happiness and longevity.
At the Aspen Ideas Festival in summer 2017, I heard David G. Bradley, then publisher of The Atlantic, share his personal stories of coping with setback and disappointment. Bradley described The Grant Study, a longitudinal study at Harvard Medical School that began in 1938 and followed 268 Harvard-educated men from the undergraduate classes of 1942-1944. George Vaillant, who directed the study for over three decades, identified predictors of healthy aging in his book “Triumphs of Experience”:
Relationships: The capacity to form and maintain relationships was crucial. Warm relationships were more important than intelligence in predicting financial success, and those with higher measurements of warmth earned significantly more during their peak earning years.
Generativity: Engaging in mentorship and having relationships with younger generations was associated with happiness and life satisfaction.
Adaptability: The ability to cope with life's setbacks and challenges was a significant predictor of well-being.
When I reflect on my own journey, I am keenly aware that so much of what I've accomplished traces back to the opportunities I had in higher education and the dedicated professors who generously shared their time and talent to help me grow. Their guidance and mentorship were transformative, shaping not only my knowledge but also my values and approach to life.
As I wrote in December in my blog From Executive to Educator: Updated Recommended Reading List For My Courses, teaching is my opportunity to pay it forward to the next generation of leaders. It's a chance to share the insights and lessons I've learned in nearly forty years of experience in business and technology. I strive to help students develop the skills and mindset they need to navigate in a complex world.
Teaching is a humbling experience, creating many opportunities to practice my flexibility. Each day, I am inspired by the curiosity, intelligence, and dedication of my students. They challenge me to think in new ways, to question my assumptions, and to continuously grow and evolve as both an educator and a lifelong learner.
Teaching is a collaborative endeavor. I am fortunate to work alongside a brilliant and supportive community of faculty at McCombs. Through our shared commitment to excellence in teaching and research, we push each other to innovate, experiment, and explore new frontiers in business education.
As I reflect on this honor, I am filled with gratitude – for my students, my colleagues, and for the opportunity to do work that is so deeply meaningful. I am also reminded of the responsibility that comes with this role, and the importance of approaching it with humility, curiosity, and a commitment to continuous growth and improvement.
To my students, past and present, thank you for inspiring me with your passion, your insights, and your unwavering commitment to making a difference. It is an honor to be part of your journey.
To my colleagues at McCombs, thank you for your support, your partnership, and your dedication to excellence in all that you do. I am proud to be part of UT Austin McCombs School of Business community.
And to my former professors, bosses, and all those who have mentored, guided, and believed in me throughout my own journey, thank you. Your generosity and wisdom have made all the difference.
Peace through understanding.
Bravo and well played!
Well done Ben. Congratulations!