Heavener Director receives distinguished alumnus award

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Dr. Brian Ray, an Associate Dean at the Warrington College of Business Administration and Director of the Heavener School of Business, was one of seven recipients of Florida State University’s College of Education Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Established more than 25 years ago, the FSU College of Education Distinguished Alumni Awards provide an avenue for honoring graduates who have distinguished themselves through scholarly, creative, and humanitarian achievement and service to their profession.

Dr. Ray, who is also a Lecturer in Leadership and Ethics, has been instrumental in promoting academic and professional development initiatives at the Heavener School of Business, the Warrington College of Business Administration and the University of Florida. The School’s leadership programs such as Warrington Welcome, the Florida Leadership Academy, UF Enactus, and the Business Undergraduate Mentorship Program have been vital in providing the College’s undergraduates with nationally-recognized academic and professional development opportunities. Dr. Ray has also been a devoted advocate of career development and international education, and led the effort to institute a requirement for undergraduates to complete an internship or study abroad experience prior to graduation.

Dr. Ray has received university-wide recognition for his work. In 2013, he received the Sandeen Award, an honor conferred by UF’s Student Government to recognize “a faculty member whose efforts and service have made the University of Florida a better place for all students.” In 2011, he received the Mort Wolfson Award, given annually to a UF faculty member “who exemplifies the values that Professor Wolfson modeled: Commitment and service to students through advising and teaching.”

In addition to his service in higher education, Dr. Ray serves as a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve. He recently returned from a one-year tour of active duty where he served in Afghanistan, Jordan, Kuwait, and Qatar. During his military career, Dr. Ray has earned two Bronze Star medals, the General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award (one of the Army’s most prestigious honors for company-grade officers), and the Lowry Award (presented annually to the top company-grade officer in the Florida National Guard). Dr. Ray currently serves as the Command Chaplain for the 377th Theater Sustainment Command, the largest command in the U.S. Army Reserve with 38,000 soldiers. He is also pursuing a Master of Strategic Studies through the U.S. Army War College.

Dr. Ray holds a BBA in Finance from Stetson University (1991), an MBA from the University of Central Florida (1993), an Ed.S. in Higher Education from Florida State University (1995) and a Ph.D. in Higher Education from Florida State University (1998).