Jonathan Willner began his career at Oklahoma City University as an assistant professor of economics in 1995. He is presently a tenured professor of economics. He earned his B.A. from Colorado State University and his M.S. and Ph.D. from Purdue University. A world traveler, Willner has traveled to China, Singapore, Malaysia, England and Canada to teach for Oklahoma City University and to Argentina, Indonesia, Ukraine and South Korea to work, teach and lecture. Over the years, his research interests have evolved from international intellectual property rights and industrial organization to the economics of sports. Willner enjoys students who think, work hard and challenge both authority and accepted wisdom. Willner has been named Outstanding Faculty Award recipient for 2011, awarded by his peers who recognize his excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service to the university and professional community.

Outstanding Faculty Award
Each year, the Outstanding Faculty Award Committee calls on the student body, staff, and faculty for nominations of faculty members whose teaching, scholarship, and service to the university and professional community are deemed to be exemplary. It celebrates outstanding performance in all areas of academic pursuit and acknowledges special achievement in the endeavor of teaching. The past five winners of the Outstanding Faculty Award comprise the current selection committee.

Over the last few years, recipients have received news of their award in the form of a surprise classroom visit by the award committee, along with President Tom McDaniel, and Provost Bernie Patterson. In addition to a stipend, award winners receive a $2,000 travel grant. The award recipient is recognized at undergraduate commencement and delivers the commencement address at the graduate ceremony each spring.

CETL Awards
The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning recognizes OCU faculty members’ outstanding achievements in specific areas of academic work . The Center has developed five awards which are presented at a luncheon each spring.

Award Nomination Process
Nominations for the Outstanding Faculty Award must be received by the Outstanding Faculty Award Selection Committee no later than December 1.
Revised Protocol for Award Selection

CETL award nominations must be received no later than January 25.
CETL Faculty Award Nomination Information

History of Awards
Teaching awards have been presented to OCU faculty since 1988. The Fred Jones Foundation funded the awards from 1988 to 1990, and the Sears Roebuck Foundation funded awards in 1990 and 1991. The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church expressed support and appreciation of teaching at OCU through their Exemplary Teacher Awards from 1992 through 2002, and continued support in conjunction with the Outstanding Faculty Award from 2003 to the present.

2010 Elaine Smokewood
2009 Jacci Rodgers
2008 Amy Cataldi
2007 Art LeFrancois
2006 John Starkey
2005 Terry Conley
2004 Andrea West
2003 Dilin Liu

Exemplary Teacher Award
2002 Lloyd Musselman
2001 Denise Burton
2000 Melanie Stovall
1999 Randy Kluver
1998 Amy Oden
1997 Billie McElroy
1996 Jo Rowan
1995 Hossein Shafa
1994 Donna Dykes
1993 Dennis Jowaisas
1992 Susan Barber

Fred Jones Excellence in Teaching Award
1990 Dennis Arrow
1989 Fred Ramos
1989 Sandy Martin
1988 Klaus Rossberg
1988 Cathy Kass

Sears Roebuck Foundation Award
1991 Larry Cobb
1990 Lloyd Musselman