Howard RuddThe School of Business announces the Howard F. Rudd, Jr. Distinguished Faculty Award for Service Leadership to honor the legacy of Dr. Howard F. Rudd, Jr., Dean Emeritus and professor of management, who is retiring at the end of this semester after 29 years at the College of Charleston.  The prestigious award, the first of its kind for the College community, was established to recognize outstanding, high-performing business professors who lead in Rudd’s spirit and example to advance the mission and global vision of the School of Business.

The $250,000 endowed award is made possible by philanthropic gifts from Anita Zucker, chairperson and CEO of the InterTech Group, and Justin R. McLain ‘98, Executive Chairman of Endeavor and Managing Member at Duart Mull.  Both Zucker and McLain are members of the School of Business Board of Governors.

“I am so fortunate to have known and worked with Howard for over 20 years.  Though he is retiring from the College, he will be a lasting icon for the business school and in the Charleston community,” says Zucker.  “I wish him and his family all the best in his retirement.  Though, knowing Howard, he will stay very intellectually engaged and connected.”

Award Structure and Selection

Investing in business faculty is a high priority for Alan T. Shao, dean of the School of Business. The endowed Howard F. Rudd, Jr. Distinguished Faculty Award will annually recognize one business professor by providing each recipient with $10,000 of funding for use in research, curriculum and program enhancements, or professional development.  A special committee will be appointed to select each year’s recipient.  Minimum requirements for consideration are that each candidate must “exceed expectations” in all applicable annual review categories.

“I’ve seen first-hand the extent to which Howard goes beyond the status quo to maximize exposure and opportunities for his students to achieve great things after graduation,” says McLain.  “In the same spirit, Anita and I want to help reward those professors who go beyond the school’s already high standards to really advance the knowledge, experiences, and talent of the students.”

“I am extremely grateful to Anita and Justin for their leadership in stepping forward to make this award a reality.  Our faculty and students will benefit greatly from their generosity,” says Shao.

For nearly three decades, Rudd’s iconic leadership has left a lasting footprint in the 242-year history of the College of Charleston, most notably as the founding dean of the School of Business and Economics in 1986. His commitment to service and excellence in teaching has inspired thousands of College of Charleston students who evolved in his leadership, management, and business policy courses into becoming proud alumni and productive, prosperous leaders in companies and organizations worldwide.

About the School of Business
College of Charleston’s School of Business offers seven undergraduate majors, several interdisciplinary concentrations, an honors program in business, an M.S. in accountancy and an MBA.  Approximately 1800 undergraduate and graduate students attend from as far away as China, Germany and Brazil. The faculty has research expertise in areas such as global logistics, hospitality and tourism, political economics, financial investment, bankruptcy, business intelligence, real estate, and sustainable business practices. Visit http://sb.cofc.edu/to learn more about our students’ achievements, undergraduate and graduate programs, faculty, and Centers of Excellence.