TROY, Ala. – As an elementary school teacher in Loveland, Colo., Mike Schraeder never dreamed of becoming a college professor. Several years and three degrees later, Schraeder now regularly receives glowing evaluations from his students at Troy University’s Montgomery Campus.

Schraeder, who holds a doctorate in management as well as master’s degrees in management and business administration, has served as an assistant professor of management in the University’s Sorrell College of Business since 2003. On Aug. 14, he was honored with the Wallace D. Malone Distinguished Faculty Award during the University’s annual Faculty Convocation. The award was presented by Dr. Ed Roach, executive vice chancellor and provost, and TROY Chancellor Dr. Jack Hawkins, Jr. during the ceremony at the Claudia Crosby Theater on the Troy Campus.

Designed to recognize those who have exhibited excellence through outstanding teaching, public service, publications and research, the Wallace D. Malone Award is presented annually to a full-time TROY faculty member. Recipients are first nominated by their deans, department chairs or their peers, and then selected by an award committee for the honor.

Full-time faculty members from any TROY campus or site are eligible for the award, which consists of a trophy, a $1,500 cash prize and a medallion to be worn with academic regalia.  The award is made possible through a $100,000 endowment by the SouthTrust Corp. Wallace Malone, former chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of SouthTrust, served as a TROY trustee from 1975-1995.

“The Malone Award recognizes outstanding teaching, but it also takes into account the many other qualities of an excellent faculty member, such as service, publications and research,” said Dr. Ed Roach, the University's executive vice chancellor and provost. “The 2006 Malone Award winner, Dr. Mike Schraeder, brings together the best of what it means to be a teacher and a scholar.”

Schraeder said being selected to receive the award had a tremendous impact on him.

“I am humbled and extremely honored to receive this award,” Schraeder said. “This is an honor that I will cherish for the remainder of my career. I am truly grateful to my Associate Dean Dr. Anthony Rhee who was an integral part in my receiving this award.”

Dr. Rhee nominated Schraeder for the award, describing him as a “loyal, caring, generous and dependable professional who works for the welfare of those around him.”

“There is no one on the faculty that can match Dr. Schraeder’s accomplishments in teaching, research and his many other commitments,” Dr. Rhee said. “His knowledge of the subjects coupled with his generous, compassionate and kind nature in and outside of the classroom earns him the reputation of best teacher on campus. Equally important is Dr. Schraeder’s dedication to and passionate involvement with his students’ progress. His devotion to his students goes beyond the mere call of duty.”

In addition to his work in the classroom, Schraeder has worked as a part of the Troy University team that is partnering with Hyundai Motor Manufacturing of Alabama to offer on-site degree programs for the company’s 2,500 employees.

The author of many published articles, Schraeder was selected by the Academy of Management as one of its best reviewers in 2005. He also had a paper recognized as one of the most downloaded articles in 2005.

Schraeder received his bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Wyoming in 1989, and holds master’s degrees in business administration and management from Auburn University Montgomery and Auburn University respectively. He earned his doctorate in management with an emphasis in organizational analysis and change from Auburn University in 2001.

In addition to his service to Troy University, Schraeder has also served as a visiting scholar for the Thomas Walter Center for Technology Management at Auburn University and instructor for the Auburn University Montgomery Center for Government.

Schraeder is a member of the Academy of Management and the Southern Management Association and serves on the Troy University Undergraduate Academic Council’s Executive Committee, the Editorial Review Board of the annual publication of TROY’s Sorrell College of Business and the Sorrell College of Business’ Management Coordinating and Business Programs Evaluation and Assessment committees.

Schraeder said he was excited about his future with Troy University and

“I have become immersed in Troy University and could not be happier. I feel privileged to be associated with a University that is truly student centered.”

Dr. Mike Schraeder, assistant professor of management on the University’s Montgomery Campus, receives the Wallace D. Malone, Jr. Distinguished Faculty Award from Chancellor Jack Hawkins, Jr. (right) during the annual Faculty Convocation on Aug. 14.

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