ADA — Dr. Thomas A. Zeni, assistant professor of business administration in East Central University’s Harland C. Stonecipher School of Business, has been named a regional recipient of the 2015 Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) Teaching Excellence Award.

“I can recall the instant when I first thought about teaching. I was remembering the one or two influential teachers I had in high school and I thought it would be amazing to have students someday thinking about me in that fashion,” Zeni said. “If my students are inspired by my teaching, I couldn’t really ask for much more. I think that’s what the college experience should be about, thinking differently at the end of each day than you did at the beginning.”

Zeni will receive the award, which includes a medallion and a $100 check, at the ACBSP Conference, June 12-15, in Philadelphia. As a regional recipient, Zeni is candidate for an International Teaching Excellence Award which will also be announced at the June conference.

“Dr. Zeni has brought new ideas and perspective to the students, the Business Administration Department and the university,” said Dr. Charles Jones, professor and department chair. “Dr. Zeni’s course ratings are exceptional, but more importantly, the qualitative comments by our students in his reviews directly speak to his ability to inspire learning and foster personal and professional development among his students.”