2008 Headlines
Young-Hoon Park Named Top Teacher
MBA Class of '08 honors assistant professor of marketing for teaching excellence
June 2, 2008 | Ithaca, NY | Graduates in the Johnson School's two-year and one-year accelerated MBA programs selected Young-Hoon Park as recipient of the annual Apple Award for Teaching Excellence. Park is an assistant professor of marketing, and teaches customer relationship management and marketing research.
"Each student has an opportunity to vote on the professor that has had the most impact on their holistic development as a Johnson student," said J. Delano Ford, MBA '08, as he presented the award before a commencement crowd of 400 graduates and 1,800 friends and family. "This year's winner has been described by students as a subject-matter expert, responsive, hardworking, energetic, humorous, committed to constant self improvement, and passionate, just to name a few."
Park joined the Johnson School faculty as acting assistant professor in 2001. After completing his PhD in marketing at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, in 2002, he was named assistant professor of marketing. In addition to teaching two popular elective courses at the Johnson School, Park conducts research, in which he analyzes behavioral data to understand and forecast customer shopping and purchasing activities. His other major research interests include customer relationship management and developing new models of marketing research. Park's work has been published in leading marketing journals, including the Journal of Marketing Research, Management Science, and Marketing Science .
Through the nomination and voting processes, MBA students praised Park for his work both at the teaching podium, and as an advisor and mentor outside the classroom.
"He is the most passionate teacher I have ever had," wrote one student. "His sense of humor and energy in the classroom make every class very special, so it is not surprising that his students rarely miss a class."
Said another, "His commitment is not limited to the classroom; he has provided me with help on outside projects, job hunting, and is a regular at Johnson social events. I believe he is truly a model Cornell Professor."
"Professor Park goes above and beyond in helping students," wrote a third MBA student. "Not only does he make every effort to teach practical tools along with theory, he does it with enthusiasm and a passion for helping others to succeed.
The Apple Award was instituted by the class of 1992, as part of its class gift. This prestigious award allows graduating classes to honor a faculty member whom they believe demonstrates the qualities of outstanding leadership and enduring educational influence. Each year, the recipient faculty member is presented with a Tiffany crystal apple, as recognition for his or her dedication and ability to motivate students toward academic achievement.
