Business, Faculty And Staff
Posted by on Monday, May 23, 2011 5:22 pm

Weeks Receives Chamber’s Distinguished Service Award

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Jim Weeks, dean of UNCG’s Bryan School of Business and Economics, has received the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce’s 2011 Distinguished Service Award. The honor was presented May 19 during the chamber’s 25th anniversary Small Business Awards Luncheon.

“We are proud and honored to recognize an outstanding, unselfish individual in our community who has made a pronounced difference in many people, many businesses, and many lives,” said Deborah Hooper, president of the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce. “In short, when asked, Jim serves, and with his service he makes a difference.”

Weeks retires June 30 after two decades as dean.

Weeks started his career at UNCG in 1976 as assistant professor of operations management and quickly advanced to associate professor, full professor, director of the MBA program, associate dean and finally to dean in 1991.

“One of his distinguishing attributes as the leader of the Bryan School has been to steadfastly forge links between students, faculty and the regional business community,” Hooper said.

Throughout his career, Weeks has helped students, small businesses and entrepreneurs stay current, and has consulted with numerous regional, national and international companies to help them adapt new strategies to enhance their competitiveness.

Under his leadership, the Bryan School has expanded international activity; established research centers and the university-wide North Carolina Entrepreneurship Center; increased its endowment six fold to more than $27 million; and added six new degree programs in entrepreneurship, international business and marketing, a master’s degree in information management and technology, and doctorates in economics and information systems. Of the more than 19,000 alumni of the school, roughly half received their degrees during his tenure as dean.

Weeks also led the effort to earn international accreditation by the premier accrediting agency for business schools, the Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business. Initial accreditation was earned in 1982 and has been maintained ever since.

“In his work in the Bryan School, Jim has always had an eye on how we can maximize partnerships within our community,” said Hooper. “He regularly seeks advice from an advisory board of top-level executives from Greensboro and Triad companies, ensuring the school’s curriculum remains current and meets the needs of our region.”

According to Hooper, last year more than 1,000 business students participated in some form of hands-on learning experience in the community, including 95 consulting projects serving 240 regional organizations. “These experiences not only prepare the students for life in the business world and make them better employees, but also help the partner companies to meet current challenges head-on and become stronger organizations,” she noted.

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