Outstanding W. P. Carey educators honored with teaching award

W. P. Carey students chose three instructors to receive the prestigious John W. Teets Outstanding Teaching Award for their dedication to excellence in education.

The end of the academic year is always a time for celebration, but this spring held special significance for two faculty members and one teaching assistant honored with W. P. Carey's highest teaching recognition: the John W. Teets Outstanding Teaching Award.

What sets the award apart is that students drive the entire process, from nomination through final selection, making the recognition especially meaningful for recipients. Honorees are surprised in their classrooms during the last week of class, where the awards are presented in front of their students — a reminder that teaching goes beyond delivering course content.

Established in 1999 by visionary business leader John W. Teets and his family, the award recognizes educators who go above and beyond in the classroom, empowering students to think critically and engage deeply. In a letter accompanying the award, Teets' daughter, Heidi Teets, wrote that her father "understood well the hard work and drive it takes to be recognized by students as an outstanding influence in their lives." Teets died in 2011, but his legacy and commitment to outstanding teaching continue to be honored each year through the award.

"The John W. Teets Outstanding Teaching Awards continue to inspire and elevate the best of teaching at W. P. Carey," said Dan Gruber, associate dean for teaching and learning. "The Teets family's support makes these awards uniquely meaningful because students recognize the faculty members who have had the greatest impact on their studies and their lives. Being honored in front of their students creates a heartfelt moment for these transformational teachers."

Here are the recipients of the 2026 John W. Teets Outstanding Teaching Awards, along with excerpts from their nominations.

John W. Teets Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award

John Eaton, clinical professor in the Department of Marketing

"Professor Eaton is truly one of the most impactful professors I have had. His passion for his subject is evident in every lecture, and his enthusiasm makes even the most complex topics engaging and meaningful."

Eaton, now a four-time Teets Award recipient, reflected on the honor. "Receiving the John W. Teets Outstanding Teaching Award is especially meaningful because it comes directly from students. Teaching has never been just about delivering content; it's about helping students grow in confidence, think differently, and see new possibilities for themselves. To be recognized by the very people I strive to challenge, support, and mentor is an incredible honor."

Runner-ups: Jeff Macias (NASPO Department of Supply Chain Management) and David Shields (School of Accountancy)

John W. Teets Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Assistant Award

Xin Zhou, graduate teaching associate in the Department of Marketing

"Xin continually goes above and beyond expectations to help her students succeed, from creating a decision guide to meeting with students and project teams to strengthen their analyses, including mentoring one group as they designed and executed their field experiment."

"Receiving this recognition is an incredible honor and deeply meaningful to me," said Zhou. "I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to teach and learn alongside such wonderful students, and to be recognized by them makes this award especially special. This is a moment I will always remember, and I am truly grateful for the support and encouragement I have received."

John W. Teets Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award

Doug Olsen, associate professor in the Department of Marketing

"Professor Douglas Olsen exemplifies extraordinary enthusiasm for both his students and the discipline of market research. He consistently went above and beyond the formal requirements of the class by providing detailed, individualized feedback, offering additional office hours, and proactively checking in to ensure students understood not just what to do, but why it mattered."

"It is an honor to receive the Teets Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award this year. There are so many individuals within W. P. Carey, from administrators to instructional designers who foster a strong learning climate and make these courses happen," Olsen said after receiving the award. "I also want to recognize that the success of an instructor depends on having incredible students — as much as I hope to motivate them, their dedication to the course and the remarkable work generated week after week was incredibly motivating for me as well."

Runner-ups: John Keyser (School of Accountancy) and Roger White (School of Accountancy)

Learn more about the life and legacy of John W. Teets at johnwteets.com.