Seven Faculty in WT’s Engler College of Business Named to Professorships

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, cchandler@wtamu.edu

CANYON, Texas — Six established faculty members and one new hire have been appointed to endowed professorships in the Paul & Virginia Engler College of Business at West Texas A&M University.

“I am so grateful for the generous donors who funded these endowed professorships, allowing us to honor some of our most highly-regarded and impactful faculty members,” said Dr. Amjad Abdullat, dean of the Engler College of Business. “Through their work, these scholars address issues related to business, economics, cybersecurity and entrepreneurship to educate the new business leaders of tomorrow.”

The newly appointed professors fill positions created over the past 12 years through philanthropic gifts.

Classes begin Aug. 22.

The professorships include:

• Donald W. Hodges Professorship of Business: Dr. Anne-Christine Barthel was named the Hodges Professor of Business. The professorship was established by Hodges Capital Management and the Paul & Virginia Engler Foundation in 2020 to enhance high-quality instruction and research in the areas of business ethics and corporate governance. Barthel joined WT in 2016. Barthel, a native of Germany, earned an economics degree from the University of Mannheim (Germany) in 2008 and a master’s and doctorate in economics from the University of Kansas in 2010 and 2014, respectively. She teaches courses in business analytics, quantitative methods and microeconomics, and was the recipient of the Engler College of Business Research Excellence Award in 2019. The Hodges professorship was last held by Dr. John Francois.
• James B. and Mogie R. McCray Professorship of Business: Dr. Rahul Chauhan was named the McCray Professor of Business. The professorship was established in 2007 by the McCrays to to promote high-quality instruction and scholarship in the Texas Panhandle. Chauhan, a Fort Worth native, joined WT in 2015. He earned a bachelor of science degree in psychology from the University of Texas at Dallas in 2010, and a master’s and doctorate in industrial/organizational psychology from the University of Oklahoma in 2012 and 2015, respectively. He teaches graduate-level leadership and undergraduate recruitment and selection. The professorship was last held by Dr. Darlene Pulliam.
• Phil Gensler Professorship of Computer Information Systems: Dr. Murray Jennex was named the Gensler Professor of Computer Information Systems. The professorship was established in 2007 by Gensler’s friends and former students to honor the former WT professor who, through 20 years of professional leadership and dedication to students, provided exceptional opportunities for graduates in computer information systems. Jennex is a former U.S. Navy nuclear power propulsion officer who earned bachelor’s degrees in chemistry and physics from William Jewell College, an MBA and master’s in software engineering from National University, a master’s in telecommunications management and a Ph.D. in information systems from the Claremont Graduate University. Jennex also is a registered professional mechanical engineer in the state of California and a certified information systems security professional, a certified secure software lifecycle professional and a project management professional. The professorship was last held by Dr. Xiaolin Lin.
• W. & Nell Foust Professorship of Business: Dr. Scott Jones, who begins his WT career this month, was named the Foust Professor of Business. The professorship was established in 2019 by friends of the Engler College of Business and the Paul & Virginia Engler Foundation to honor the legacy of J.W. and Nell Foust. Jones, an Idaho native, earned a bachelor’s degree in economics with an emphasis on economic theory in 2015 and a master’s in financial economics in 2016, both from Utah State University. He earned his Ph.D. in finance from the University of Arizona in 2022. He previously worked as a financial analyst for HP Inc., where he built financial models and automated time-consuming processes. The professorship was last held by Dr. Trevor Watkins.
• Jerry Miller Professorship of Entrepreneurship: Matt Loftin, who joined WT in 2021, was named the Miller Professor. The professorship was established in 2010 to encourage ongoing entrepreneurship activities at WT by Miller, a former dean of the Engler College of Business and distinguished scholar, dedicated professor, entrepreneur and community leader. Loftin earned a bachelor’s in economics from WT in 2009 and a master’s in political management from George Washington University in 2011. He is completing a master’s of science in finance and economics, and teaches principles of macro- and microeconomics. The professorship was last held by Dr. Marisa Crisostomo.
• Stanley Schaeffer Professorship of Business Ethics: Dr. Dallin Smith was named the Schaeffer Professor for Business Ethics. The professorship was established in 2010 by Schaeffer, a distinguished alumnus of WT, business leader and philanthropist who was given an honorary doctorate by the Engler College of Business in 2021. The professorship was created to stimulate academic excellence and enhance an appreciation of ethical leadership for business students. Smith joined WT in 2021 after earning a bachelor’s in finance from Brigham Young University in 2002, a master’s in accounting from the University of Idaho in 2008 and a Ph.D. in accounting from Case Western Reserve University in 2021. He teaches financial accounting and auditing courses. The professorship was last held by Dr. Karyn Friske.
• Gene Edwards Professorship of Accounting: Dr. Chen Zhao was named the Edwards Professor of Accounting. The professorship was established in 2015 by friends of Gene Edwards, a distinguished Texas banker who led First National Bank of Amarillo. Zhao, a native of China, joined WT in 2021. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Nankai University in China, an MBA and a master’s in finance with a focus on energy finance from West Virginia University. She earned her Ph.D. in business administration with an emphasis in accounting from West Virginia University in 2021. She teaches forensic and investigative accounting and accounting and decision making. The professorship was last held by Dr. Sharon Burnett.

Gifts to WT may be used to endow professorships, offering opportunities for exceptional faculty members by providing additional resources for teaching, research and professional activities and development. Faculty members benefit from the coveted title, and students glean from the professor’s academic insight and leadership. This helps enrich the life of the University and strengthen the foundation of academic excellence.

Recruiting and retaining excellent faculty is a key mission of the University’s long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

That plan is fueled by the historic, $125 million One West comprehensive fundraising campaign. To date, the five-year campaign — which publicly launched Sept. 23 — has raised about $110 million.

Photo: Faculty members in the Paul & Virginia Engler College of Business who are newly appointed to professorships are, from left, Dr. Rahul Chauhan, Dr. Anne-Christine Barthel, Dr. Chen Zhao, Dr. Scott Jones, Matt Loftin and Dr. Dallin Smith. Not pictured is Dr. Murray Jennex.

About West Texas A&M University

WT is located in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT, a Hispanic Serving Institution since 2016, boasts an enrollment of about 10,000 and offers 59 undergraduate degree programs and more than 40 graduate degrees, including two doctoral degrees. The University is also home to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the largest history museum in the state and the home of one of the Southwest’s finest art collections. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 14 men’s and women’s athletics programs.

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