Ray wins Mort Wolfson Faculty Service Award

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Dr. Brian Ray, Associate Dean of the Warrington College of Business Administration and Director of the School of Business, was awarded the Mort Wolfson Faculty Service Award in a ceremony Friday morning at J. Wayne Reitz Union.

The Mort Wolfson Faculty Service Award is given annually to a UF faculty member “who exemplifies the values that Professor Wolfson modeled: Commitment and service to students through advising and teaching.” Nominees for the award are generated by the Office of Vice President of Student Affairs-Vice President’s Council. Dr. Ray was chosen from approximately 5,400 faculty members at UF.

“It’s an honor to work with my staff to develop innovative programs that focus on leadership, international education and career exploration,” Dr. Ray said. “UF has some of the best undergraduates in the country, and they deserve an enriching educational experience to set themselves up for success.”

Dr. Ray, who also serves as a Lecturer in Leadership and Ethics, has played a pivotal role in the growth and implementation of academic and professional development initiatives at the School of Business. Under Dr. Ray’s direction, the School of Business has created and advanced leadership development organizations like Warrington Welcome, the Florida Leadership Academy, UF SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise) and the Warrington Diplomats. It has also expanded its international initiatives with four sponsored programs in London, Madrid, Paris and Rome, and exchange programs in 22 countries. Most recently, the School of Business was honored by the NASPA Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education with its Outstanding Student Leadership Program/Activity Award for its Leadership Development Certificate program.

In addition to his exploits in higher education, Dr. Ray serves as a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve. He is a recipient of 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, who serves as the Command Chaplain for the 143rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, has served two tours of active duty, the most recent in Iraq where he earned the Bronze Star Medal.

“Brian Ray does an excellent job of interfacing with the University community, and this award recognizes his efforts to focus on the students,” said Dr. John Kraft, Dean of the Warrington College of Business Administration.

Professor Wolfson taught Logic and Behavioral Sciences at UF for 17 years after completing a distinguished career in the Army, which included tours in Asia, Europe and Vietnam. He received numerous awards for his excellence in teaching including the Teacher of the Year in University College (1976), the Thomas Jefferson Award for Excellence in Teaching (1976) and the Teacher of the Year in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (1979). Professor Wolfson retired from UF in 1983.