The Lundquist College of Business has named associate professor of marketing and Judy and Hugh Oliphant Research Scholar Joshua T. Beck as the Thomas C. Stewart Distinguished Professor for 2021. One of the college's most coveted honors, this annual recognition has become the most sought-after award at the college.
Established through a generous gift by alumnus Thomas C. Stewart, the award aims to support an individual whose accomplishments lead to distinction at a world-class level and further the strategic objectives of the Lundquist College of Business and the University of Oregon.
Beck joined the Lundquist College in 2015, and during the past five years, he has made a tremendous mark on the Department of Marketing, the University of Oregon, and the field.
In a letter of nomination, Department of Marketing head and Philip H. Knight Chair T. Bettina Cornwell cited Beck's prolific publishing record, as well as his unique research focus addressing both marketing strategy and consumer behavior using a diverse set of methodological tools.
Beck has either published or had accepted for publication several manuscripts in top journals. These include three manuscripts in the Journal of Marketing, two in the Journal of Consumer Research, and one each in the Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, the Journal of International Marketing, and the Journal of Consumer Psychology. In sum, Beck had eight papers appear in top marketing journals in the last five years, and currently has an impressive pipeline with two manuscripts under advanced review—also at top journals.
“This is remarkable for any marketing academic, let alone in the first few years of their career," Cornwell said.
In addition, Beck has increased scholarly respect for the Lundquist College by serving as a reviewer for multiple world-class journals, including sitting on the editorial review boards for the Journal of Marketing, Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, and Journal of International Marketing.
He has also increased the visibility of the Lundquist College of Business through nearly 30 research presentations. He has taken the time to translate his research and publish in popular press outlets that reach a broad audience, including articles addressing corporate activism, why people become vegan, and locavorism (the desire for food grown and produced close to home).
Complementing his scholarly productivity, Beck has made a dramatic impact through his service to the college and the university.
“Josh cares deeply about the Lundquist College of Business, its students, and the future of academic research. He has a true commitment to advancing the Lundquist community as a whole," said Sarah E. Nutter, Edward Maletis Dean of the Lundquist College, who presented the Thomas C. Stewart Distinguished Professor award to Beck on December 17, 2020, during a virtual holiday celebration.
Beck's service to the department and university has come in many forms. He cofounded the Northwest Research Symposium in 2017, which sees regional, national, and international scholars travel to the Northwest each year to visit the UO and partner schools to share scholarship and build community. He has served on search committees for faculty and PhD students, and he has helped recruit and foster the success of a highly qualified and diverse student body by serving on the Lundquist diversity task force and, most recently, as chair of the Lundquist Diversity Committee. Beck also helped develop a course on marketing analytics that will advance the university's initiative in data science.
“I want to thank the Stewarts for being committed to academic research and to everyone at the college because I see advancing research as something we are achieving together," said Beck.
Beck earned his PhD in marketing at the University of Washington and was previously a professor at the University of Cincinnati. His research addresses topics at the intersection of consumer behavior and marketing strategy, focusing on customer loyalty and consumer-brand relationships in the domains of retail, sports, and food. He teaches courses in marketing strategy, international marketing, and marketing research at both the undergraduate and graduate level.
—Jim Engelhardt, Lundquist College Communications