Dr. Jean Sampson Receives McKendree University Grandy Faculty Award
(LEBANON, Ill., May 20, 2022) – Dr. Jean Sampson, professor of management and marketing
at McKendree University, received McKendree University’s 2022 William Norman Grandy
Faculty Award, given by the Alumni Association. Sampson accepted the surprise honor
at undergraduate commencement ceremonies held on Friday, May 13 at the Lebanon, Ill.,
campus. The Grandy Award is given annually to recognize commitment to students and
the ideals promoted by the university.
Sampson earned her undergraduate degree from McKendree in 1983 and has been teaching
at her alma mater since 2005. Since then, she has been making a positive impact on
the campus community. In addition to serving as the chair of the School of Business
since 2016, she has won many prestigious awards, including the United Methodist Exemplary
Teacher of the Year Award earlier this year, the William Norman Grandy Award in 2014
and the Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award in 2012.
Sampson has been acknowledged as an outstanding instructor who prepares her students
for various roles in the world of business. She works hard to create an easy-going,
respectful environment in her classes and focuses on personal responsibility, inclusivity
and good citizenship.
McKendree business students know Sampson as caring, friendly and approachable. She
champions people with disabilities in the workplace and instills a sense of lifelong
learning in her students. She also regularly volunteers, attends campus events that
her students are involved in, teaches University 101 to help first-years get acclimated
with college life, takes on new advisees, picks up classes to teach last minute and
happily serves on committees and works on projects that aren’t typically within the
scope of her daily responsibilities.
The award is named for Dr. William Norman Grandy, who served from 1952 to 1968 as
a professor of philosophy and religion, and as dean of students, academic dean and
interim president.
Jean Sampson, left, receives the 2022 William Norman Grandy Faculty Award from Alumni Association President Ryan Furniss, right, during commencement.
-McK-
