Gatton College Honors Faculty Member and Student

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 16, 2010) - On its annual hall of fame induction day, the Gatton College of Business and Economics at the University of Kentucky also took time to honor one of its faculty members and one of its students today.

Christopher R. Bollinger, Gatton Professor of Economics and director of Graduate Studies for the department, received the 2010 Kenneth N. and Carol Lee Robertson Faculty Leadership Research Award. The honor, which also carries a cash stipend, recognizes notable research achievements by Gatton faculty members and is named in honor of the UK alumnus who currently serves as chair of the Gatton College Business Partnership Foundation, Kenneth Robertson, and his wife, Carol Lee.

Professor Bollinger's widely published research has focused on measurement error in estimation of micro economic models. The common thread of his work is that methodology and how people work with data matter tremendously to the conclusions which economists draw.

Bollinger also serves as a co-editor for the Southern Economic Journal.

"It is a great honor to receive this award," said Bollinger. "My colleagues here in the Gatton College who have previously won this award are among those for whom I have the greatest respect and admiration."

The annual Robertson honor was first awarded in 2006.

Earlier in the day during the annual Gatton Faculty Symposium, Justin Walter, a native of Lima, Ohio, and recent Gatton graduate who will begin work on his MBA at UK in August, received additional recognition from the college.

Walter graduated Cum Laude this past December with a dual degree in management and marketing, with departmental honors in both. A research paper he presented as an undergraduate in the Gatton Student Research Publication, "Strategic Succession Planning in the Family Business: A Guide for Executives," received the Editor's Choice Award for Best Paper.

Walter's research examines the role family businesses play across the world and just how important the long-term sustainability of the family business entity is to the overall health of the long-term global economy.

Walter is currently part of the Emerging Leaders Group at Lexington-based Gray Construction and works as an intern for the company's operations in Long Island, N.Y.

"I owe much of my success to my own family, especially my father, for guidance in helping me develop work ethic and integrity," said Walter.

During the Gatton College Alumni Hall of Fame ceremony this morning, Joseph W. Craft III, Richard J. Huxley, Henry Clay Owen, and Geoffrey Rosenberger were inducted as the hall's four newest members.