Harris named Esch Family Faculty Fellow

  Thursday, January 28, 2016 2:00 AM
  News

Pittsburg, KS

The Kelce College of Business at Pittsburg State University has appointed Professor Eric Harris as the college’s new Esch Family Faculty Fellow.

The fellowship is made possible through an endowment started by Pete Esch, a 1951 graduate of Pittsburg State and a longtime supporter of the Kelce College of Business.

“Mr. Esch and his family have been tremendous supporters of the university and the Kelce College of Business,” said KCOB Dean Paul Grimes. “Pete started the endowment several years ago as a way to support our faculty’s research and enhance the college’s work with students and the community. Faculty endowments provide us an opportunity to undertake activities and provide services that otherwise are not possible.

“Dr. Harris has been a leader in both research and engagement for the Kelce College of Business, and we’re thrilled to honor and reward his hard work by naming him as the Esch Family Faculty Fellow,” he said.

Harris, a professor in KCOB’s Management and Marketing Department, will serve as fellow for three years.

“I’m truly honored to be selected to carry out the vision that Mr. Esch set forth when he created the endowment for the Kelce College of Business,” Harris said. “The Esch family’s support of our faculty has been tremendous, and I look forward to paying that forward through new opportunities for our students and serving the business community.”

As part of his role as Esch Family Faculty Fellow, Harris will be tasked with organizing and administering the college’s efforts to secure and expand student internship opportunities with local, national and international firms.

In addition, he will work closely with the Small Business Development Center and other campus outreach offices to place more student teams into consulting project roles, which will increase and enhance their hands-on learning experiences.

Harris will also coordinate the college’s other outreach efforts including economic development projects and funded research work. He currently serves as editor of The Journal of Managerial Issues, the college’s academic research journal.