UA Economics Professor Receives Burnum Award

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — A pioneer and leading scholar in the field of the political economy of terrorism, Dr. Walt Enders, professor of economics in The University of Alabama Culverhouse College of Commerce, is the 2015 recipient of one of the highest honors the University bestows on its faculty— the Burnum Distinguished Faculty Award.

Only five faculty members in the Culverhouse College of Commerce have won this award, and three of them are from the department of economics, finance and legal studies.

Enders will be presented the award publicly during a Tuesday, April 21 event at 4:30 p.m. at the Child Development Resource Center. He will make a presentation on his research on the economy of terrorism.

“I am especially thrilled to win the Burnum Distinguished Faculty Award because it recognizes ‘ … scholarly or artistic achievements and a profound dedication to the art of teaching.’ I have always tried to incorporate my research activities into my teaching,” Enders said.

“In my presentation on Rational Terrorists, I will be using only the PowerPoint the slides that I use in my Political Economy of Terrorism class.”

Enders has been with the University for 14 years and holds the Bidgood Chair of Economics and Finance.

“Walt is truly a scholar’s scholar, and we congratulate him on receiving this prestigious award,” said Dr. J. Michael Hardin, dean, Culverhouse College of Commerce. “His perseverance during a life threatening illness shows his dedication to his profession and his compassion for the students he teaches. It’s an honor to have Walt as a member of our faculty.’

Two years ago, in spite of dealing with a life threatening and rare form of cancer, Enders had to reduce his teaching load, but that didn’t stop him from his research and student mentoring. His tenacity, passion and dedication to the teaching profession and his students are what led Dr. Matt Holt, head of the economics, finance and legal studies department, to nominate Enders for the award.

“Walt is one of the top academic experts in the application of economic analysis to the study of terrorism, and it’s remarkable that he has been able to bring his cutting-edge research on terrorism to the classroom,” said Holt.

The Burnum Distinguished Faculty Award, established by Celeste Burnum and the late Dr. John F. Burnam, is given annually to recognize and promote excellence in research, scholarship and teaching. The award committee, composed of former winners of the Burnum Award, screens nominees and forwards its two top nominees to the UA President, who, in turn, selects the annual winner.