Jason Ward, Kathy Rupar, Sean Limon and John Banko
From left, Jason Ward, Kathy Rupar, Sean Limon and John Banko received the College's 2015-16 Undergraduate Teaching/Advising Awards.

Warrington honors educators with undergraduate teaching, advising awards

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Professors John Banko, M. Sean Limon and Kathy Rupar, and Associate Director of International Programs Jason Ward are recipients of the College’s 2015-16 Undergraduate Teaching/Advising Awards.

John Banko: Dr. Banko is a Lecturer in the Department of Finance, Insurance and Real Estate. He was recognized for his exemplary work this past fall teaching Honors Finance, which helps students gain a deeper understanding of financial theory, and Financial Modeling, which analyzes how value is created in a business. Dr. Banko, who also taught the graduate course Asset Valuation Risk and Return in Fall 2015, is teaching Financial Management this spring. He earned two degrees from the Warrington College of Business—a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (1990) and a Ph.D. in Finance (2003). Prior to his teaching career, Dr. Banko served as a Senior Consultant at Accenture.

M. Sean Limon: Dr. Limon is a Communication Lecturer, and was honored for his outstanding work this past fall teaching Professional Speaking in Business, which trains students how to deliver effective presentations and speeches, understand the importance of nonverbal communication, and master oral communication principles. He also instructed the graduate courses Professional Communications and Professional Communications for Accountants. Dr. Limon earned a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communications from Fresno State University, a Master of Science in Communication from Illinois State University and a Ph.D. in Communication from Michigan State University.

Kathy Rupar: Dr. Rupar is an Assistant Professor in the Fisher School of Accounting, and was recognized for her excellent work instructing Financial Accounting and Reporting 2, which allows students to analyze financial statements, and interpret and communicate quantitative data among other skills. Dr. Rupar’s research and teaching interests include Financial Accounting, Auditing, and Judgment and Decision Making. Dr. Rupar, who also received the Fisher School’s J. Michael Cook Excellence in Teaching Award in 2014, received a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Accounting from the University of Illinois, and a Ph.D. in Accounting from Cornell University.

Jason Ward: Ward oversees the Heavener School’s international exchange programs, which include partnerships with more than 30 universities across the globe, coordinates the incoming exchange program, and facilitates the administration of the five UF-sponsored programs to Dublin, London, Madrid, Paris and Rome. In November 2015, Ward received UF’s Staff International Educator of the Year Award for his outstanding contributions.