Professor Cavusgil Appointed Myron and Margaret Winegarden Professor

At the February 2021 meeting, the Board of Regents recognized Erin Cavusgil, Ph.D., professor of marketing, as a Myron and Margaret Winegarden Professor effective September 1, 2021. The distinction honors tenured UM-Flint associate and full professors who demonstrate (or show strong potential) to achieve the highest levels of scholarship, teaching excellence, and contributions to pedagogy and social impact—bringing national recognition to the University.

“It is truly an honor and privilege to receive this award,” said Cavusgil. “It provides further motivation to continue serving UM-Flint and its stakeholders by pursuing a prolific agenda in teaching, research, and service. I believe in the unique mission of our university to serve a non-traditional student body that works hard to create a better future. I like to think that the typical UM-Flint student genuinely understands the value of education and the role it plays building productive careers.

“I realize a recognition of this type is not an ordinary event, and, therefore, I appreciate the thoughtfulness of the selection committee as well as those who nominated me and wrote letters of support. I am fortunate to be working with such a special group of supportive colleagues.”

Before earning a Ph.D. in marketing from Michigan State University, Cavusgil worked as a chemical engineer in the pharmaceutical industry. She has an undergraduate degree in chemical engineering from the University of Michigan and and a master’s degree in biomedical engineering. She joined UM-Flint as an assistant professor of marketing in 2008, then was promoted to full professor ten years later. She has taught undergraduate and graduate courses for the School of Management including Principles of Marketing, International Marketing, and Retail Management—her favorite.

“My teaching focus has moved to developing high quality online classes at the university,” said Cavusgil. “This past year, I’ve been investing my time in developing innovative ways to engage students in a virtual environment and recently started working on research projects with graduate students, which I also enjoy.”

Cavusgil’s research focuses on contemporary issues encountered in the business world. Topics have included emerging markets, entrepreneurship, and innovation. She has been published in the Journal of Product Innovation Management, Journal of the Academy of Marketing Sciences, Journal of International Marketing, International Business Review, and Journal of Business Research among others. She is also a member of the Journal of Business Research and Thunderbird International Business Review Editorial Boards.

“I’m thankful to be working at an institution with an environment that is conducive for producing scholarly research,” she said. “In particular, I appreciate the leadership of the SOM over the years by Dean Scott Johnson. He has created an environment where individual faculty are incentivized to be productive.”

Continuing for a period of five years, the Winegarden professorship is renewable and carries a stipend to support scholarship. It is named after benefactors Myron and Margaret Laage Winegarden. Myron was a lifelong resident of Flint. He graduated from the University of Michigan’s College of Literature, Science and Arts with an undergraduate degree and earned his law degree from the University of Michigan Law School. Margaret was born in Crawford County, Michigan, and graduated from Eastern Michigan University.

“Apart from being generous supporters of the university, Myron and Margaret Winegarden were hardworking members of our community who were thoughtful enough to create an endowment at UM-Flint,” said Cavusgil. “I hope my work and professional agenda from here on will reflect and further their values.”

In addition to teaching and scholarship, Cavusgil has participated in American Marketing Association (AMA) conferences and served as a workshop leader for the International Marketing session of the Faculty Development in International Business pedagogy workshop sponsored by Georgia State University. In her spare time, Cavusgil enjoys working out, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

QUOTES

Dr. Cavusgil’s research record and recognition by internal colleagues and external scholarly committees attest to her research ability and productivity as an excellent researcher. I have no doubt she will continue to make important theoretical and managerial contributions to the field of marketing. Furthermore, based on Dr. Cavusgil’s sustained research excellence and her record of staying abreast of research trends, she has the capability to serve as an influential and inspirational mentor to the junior faculty in the school.

JANET Y. MURRAY, PH.D. E. Desmond Lee Professor for Developing Women Leaders and Entrepreneurs in International Business | Professor of Marketing, University of Missouri-St. Louis

I cannot be more emphatic in my endorsement of Dr. Cavusgil for the meritorious award of the Myron and Margaret Winegarden Professorship. The University of Michigan-Flint is fortunate to have such an accomplished colleague among the faculty.

Mary B. Teagarden, Ph.D. Senior Associate Dean of Faculty and Administration | Professor of Global Strategy | Editor in Chief, Thunderbird International Business Review | Area Editor, Journal of International Business Studies

Dr. Cavusgil is one of the most cited professors at the University… She has a strong academic grounding with degrees in both chemical engineering and biomedical engineering that contribute to her expertise in pharmaceutical new product development and global marketing strategies.

Scott D. Johnson, Ph.D. Former Dean, UM-Flint School of Management