'BusinessWeek' Survey: JMU's Eliason is Student Favorite

From: Public Affairs

Bob Eliason with one of his JMU students

September 25, 2007

HARRISONBURG — "BusinessWeek" magazine featured James Madison University College of Business lecturer Robert G. Eliason in the publication's second annual look at favorite professors. Eliason was one of 21 instructors who were most often cited as favorite faculty at undergraduate business schools ranked by "BusinessWeek."

The majority of business students from JMU who responded to a "BusinessWeek" survey chose Eliason as their favorite professor. Two students who are quoted in the article cited Eliason's real-world knowledge and accessibility as reasons for their selection.

One factor may be Eliason's management philosophy. "I define success not in monetary terms but in life satisfaction," Eliason told "BusinessWeek." That message comes across clearly, according to students. During lectures, Eliason shares anecdotes from his management experience to impress upon students the importance of building positive relationships.

Eliason received a bachelor's degree in human relations from High Point University, a master's of science from Wilmington College, and he completed advanced studies in counseling and career development at Johns Hopkins University. His work experience includes non-profit management and career counseling.

Eliason teaches management courses at JMU and is one of several faculty members who teach COB 300 as a team. This course has received national recognition for its successful approach to integrated business education. It was cited by "BusinessWeek" as one of the factors that put JMU's College of Business in the top 5 percent in the magazine's rankings of undergraduate business schools in 2006 and 2007.

For more information, contact Jamie Marsh in JMU's Office of Public Affairs at 540-568-4908 or by e-mail marshjs@jmu.edu.

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