App State faculty and staff recipients of the Walker College of Business’ 2026 Sywassink Awards for Excellence. Pictured, from left to right, are Dr. Abhijit Ramalingam, Dr. Brandy Hadley, Scott Jensen, Dr. Harry Davis, Dr. Matt Crump, Cele Burt and Dr. Jonathan Bitting. Not pictured is Dr. Robin Romanus. Photo by Sabrina Cheves
BOONE, N.C. — Eight faculty and staff members in Appalachian State University’s Walker College of Business have earned Sywassink Awards for Excellence, which honor teaching, research and service, as well as the spirit of the college. This year’s honors included the inaugural Sywassink Legacy of Excellence Award, recognizing a lifetime of extraordinary impact. The awards were presented during the Sywassink Day of Excellence dinner and program, held April 30 in the Grandview Ballroom on App State’s Boone campus.
The 2026 Sywassink Awards recipients:
- Dr. Harry Davis received the Sywassink Legacy of Excellence Award.
- Dr. Jonathan Bitting received the Sywassink Award for Excellence in Teaching.
- Dr. Abhijit Ramalingam received the Sywassink Award for Excellence in Research.
- Dr. Robin Romanus received the Sywassink Award for Excellence in Service.
- Scott Jensen ’22 received the Sywassink Special Faculty Award.
- Dr. Matt Crump ’09 ’14 received the Sywassink Award for Staff Excellence.
- Dr. Brandy Hadley ’09 ’11 received the Spirit of Walker Award for faculty.
- Cele Burt ’19 received the Spirit of Walker Award for staff.
The Sywassink Awards are made possible by a contribution from G.A. Sywassink — an honorary App State alumnus, a past chair of the university’s Board of Trustees and the college’s Business Advisory Council and a previous member of the University of North Carolina System Board of Governors.
“The awards celebrate individual accomplishments as well as the culture of collaboration and care that defines the Walker College of Business,” said Walker College Dean Sandra Vannoy, who presented the Sywassink Awards with the assistance of last year’s awards winners.
Dean’s Club Research Prize recipients were also recognized during the event.
Legacy of Excellence Award — Dr. Harry Davis
Dr. Harry Davis, professor in App State’s Department of Finance, Banking and Insurance. Photo by Sabrina Cheves
The inaugural Sywassink Legacy of Excellence Award was presented to Dr. Harry Davis, a professor in the Department of Finance, Banking and Insurance and the economist for the North Carolina Bankers Association (NCBA).
The award recognizes a Walker College faculty or staff member whose sustained achievements have had a transformational impact on students, the college, the university and the broader community.
Vannoy described Davis’ nearly 50-year tenure at App State as a model of public service, industry engagement and student-centered education.
Davis has bridged academia and practice — forecasting economic trends for the state, advising business and civic leaders and shaping generations of bankers through his leadership of the North Carolina School of Banking. In addition to helping start a commercial bank in Boone called High Country Bank, which was eventually sold, he also helped numerous other startup banks as a consultant during the 1980s and ’90s.
While accepting the award, Davis reflected on the students whose success he said defined his career.
“It’s the students who make us look good,” said Davis. “The impact our graduates have on society, on businesses, nonprofits — they’re the ones who make the real difference.”
Davis’ extensive career was also honored in 2024, when he was inducted into the NCBA Banking Hall of Fame.
Most Sywassink Awards, selected by nominations reviewed by peer committees, are presented annually. The Legacy of Excellence Award will be presented occasionally and reserved for exceptional contributions.
Teaching Award — Dr. Jonathan Bitting
Dr. Jonathan Bitting, assistant professor in App State’s Department of Finance, Banking and Insurance. Photo by Sabrina Cheves
The Sywassink Award for Excellence in Teaching was presented to Dr. Jonathan Bitting, assistant professor in the Department of Finance, Banking and Insurance.
Bitting’s App State teaching experience includes financial management, a core course in the college’s finance curriculum widely regarded as one of the most challenging classes that business students encounter, as well as managerial economics and financial derivatives.
“Students describe how his high expectations, paired with genuine support, helped them build confidence in their analytical abilities and sparked excitement about their future careers in finance,” said a nominator.
“I’m incredibly proud to be at a school that prioritizes teaching,” Bitting said. “That’s what brought me to App State.”
Bitting holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics from Texas A&M University and earned his doctorate in finance from Rice University.
Research Award — Dr. Abhijit Ramalingam
Dr. Abhijit Ramalingam, professor in App State’s Department of Economics. Photo by Sabrina Cheves
The Sywassink Award for Excellence in Research was presented to Dr. Abhijit Ramalingam, professor in the Department of Economics.
Ramalingam’s research interests include experimental economics, behavioral economics, public economics, industrial organization and applied game theory. According to a nominator, his body of work “advances our understanding of how institutional rules and environmental conditions can foster cooperation in groups, organizations and political settings.”
Ramalingam has authored over 30 peer‑reviewed publications and has a strong national and international reputation. With publications in high-quality journals such as Management Science, European Economic Review, Experimental Economics, Canadian Journal of Economics and Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization, among others, his work has generated more than 900 citations on Google Scholar.
Ramalingam holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Shri Ram College of Commerce, a master’s in economics from George Washington University and the Delhi School of Economics and a doctorate in economics from Indiana University Bloomington.
Service Award — Dr. Robin Romanus
Dr. Robin Romanus, associate professor in App State’s Department of Accounting. Photo by Sabrina Cheves
The Sywassink Award for Excellence in Service was presented to Dr. Robin Romanus, an associate professor in the Department of Accounting and the university’s Harlan E. Boyles Professor.
Romanus was honored for her sustained commitment to community organizations, the university and its students, including 10 years of service to student success initiatives and leadership in supporting transfer students.
“On the early intervention team, she has spent countless hours meeting with struggling students and helping to guide them through difficult life challenges,” said a nominator.
“She has fostered a welcoming environment for transfer students through the college’s Transfer Student Club,” said another nominator.
Romanus is director of App State’s Master of Science in accounting program, a role that, in addition to advising and recruitment responsibilities, has recently included leading a comprehensive program assessment that resulted in a restructuring of the program’s curriculum.
“Under her leadership, the program has proactively adapted to remain relevant, rigorous and aligned with industry expectations, ensuring that our students are well-positioned for professional success,” said a nominator.
Romanus has also served the local community through her roles as a board member and treasurer of the Watauga Humane Society and the Children’s Playhouse.
Romanus holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from Old Dominion University and the University of West Florida, respectively, and earned her doctorate in accounting from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Special Faculty Award — Scott Jensen
Scott Jensen, lecturer in App State’s Department of Computer Information Systems. Photo by Sabrina Cheves
The Sywassink Award for Excellence for Special Faculty was presented to Scott Jensen ’22, lecturer in the Department of Computer Information Systems.
Jensen was honored for his outstanding teaching of CIS 1060 (Business Analytics Using Spreadsheet Technology) and his mentorship of students through the class’s associated Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) program.
His courses regularly achieve a 100% pass rate on the MOS exam, with students frequently earning top scores. Under his guidance, App State students secured first-, second- and third-place finishes statewide on North Carolina’s MOS exam, which, according to a nominator, is an extraordinary and rare accomplishment reflecting his exceptional commitment to student success.
In addition to his instructional achievements, Jensen was recognized for fostering a positive and inclusive culture within the classroom, college and university.
“He brings a smile and an encouraging attitude to every interaction, uplifting students, faculty and staff alike,” said a nominator. “His presence contributes to a culture of kindness, professionalism and optimism that enhances the entire college.”
Jensen holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Business Administration from App State.
Staff Excellence Award — Dr. Matt Crump
Dr. Matt Crump, director of academic advising in App State’s Walker College of Business. Photo by Sabrina Cheves
The Sywassink Staff Excellence Award was presented to Dr. Matt Crump ’09 ’14, Walker College’s director of academic advising.
Crump was recognized for his leadership and professionalism, but he credited the college’s team of dedicated advisors and his colleagues across the college for creating an environment where meaningful work can thrive.
“Our faculty and staff are the hardest working, most passionate individuals I know, and working alongside them makes this job both meaningful and rewarding,” said Crump. “I’m also thankful for the opportunities to stay engaged with students and their experiences, which is one of the most fulfilling parts of my work.”
Crump holds a bachelor’s degree and an education specialist degree from App State, a master’s degree from Pfeiffer University and a Doctor of Education from East Tennessee State University.
Spirit of Walker Award for faculty — Dr. Brandy Hadley
Dr. Brandy Hadley, associate professor in App State’s Department of Finance, Banking and Insurance. Photo by Sabrina Cheves
The Sywassink Spirit of Walker Awards honor those whose work exemplifies Walker College’s core values of scholarship, resilience, service, engagement and global perspective.
The Sywassink Spirit of Walker Award for Faculty was presented to Dr. Brandy Hadley ’09 ’11, an associate professor in the Department of Finance, Banking and Insurance and App State’s David A. Thompson Distinguished Scholar of Applied Investments.
Hadley was recognized for her leadership in experiential learning, her mentorship of student competition teams and her commitment to preparing students for careers in finance and financial technology.
“In 2025 alone, she coached 15 competition teams, led eight student trips for firm visits and competitions, facilitated three group presentations to external university stakeholders and five off-campus learning opportunities and spearheaded the Sustainable Horizons external stock pitch competition for student-managed investment funds,” said a nominator.
Hadley is the lead faculty member for the Bowden Investment Group and its Broyhill Fellows competition team, which has demonstrated outstanding performance in the CFA Institute Research Challenge, the world’s largest equity research competition.
The Spirit of Walker Award is Hadley’s third Sywassink Award; she earned the Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2023 and the Award for Excellence in Research in 2020.
Hadley holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and an MBA from the Walker College of Business, as well as a Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Spirit of Walker Award for staff — Cele Burt
Cele Burt, associate director for graduate business programs in App State’s Walker College of Business. Photo by Sabrina Cheves
The Sywassink Spirit of Walker Award for Staff was presented to Cele Burt ’19, the college’s associate director for graduate business programs.
Burt was celebrated for her work in student support and program coordination, which has helped ensure consistent experiences for App State graduate students.
“Cele Burt truly embodies the Spirit of Walker through her integrity, professionalism, responsiveness and commitment to innovation and student success, consistently strengthening graduate education and ensuring an inclusive, high‑quality experience for students, faculty and staff, even during a period of significant growth and change,” said a nominator.
Burt also coordinates the college’s Graduate Programs Advisory Board, has helped advise its Executive Impact Club and, in 2026, coordinated the first Walker College Dean’s Club Strategic Business Case Competition.
Burt has completed the Chancellor’s Academic Leadership Development Program and the BRIDGES Academic Leadership program and earned a Staff Excellence Award from App State’s Office of Human Resources for her dedication to her colleagues, the university and her service to the citizens of North Carolina.
Burt holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Baylor University and a Master of Education from App State.
What do you think?
Share your feedback on this story.
Honorees recognized for leadership, teaching, service and more
About the Walker College of Business
The Walker College of Business at Appalachian State University delivers transformational educational experiences that prepare and inspire students to be ethical, innovative and engaged business leaders who positively impact their communities, both locally and globally. The college places emphasis on international experiences, sustainable business practices, entrepreneurial programs and real-world applications with industry. Enrolling nearly 5,000 students, including more than 4,500 undergraduates across 11 majors, the Walker College of Business has the highest full-time undergraduate enrollment in the University of North Carolina System. App State’s Walker College is accredited by AACSB International — the premier global accrediting body for business schools. Learn more about App State’s Walker College of Business at https://business.appstate.edu.
About Appalachian State University
As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, cost-effective education. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.
Honorees recognized for leadership, teaching, service and more
