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Hale Named Winner of Blackmon-Moody Award

By Bill Gerdes

Dr. David P. Hale

Dr. David P. Hale, who led UA’s management information systems program to national prominence, is the 2001 winner of the University’s prestigious Blackmon-Moody Outstanding Professor Award. Hale is director of the University’s MIS programs and associate professor of information systems, statistics and management science in the Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration (C&BA).

Created by Frederick Moody Blackmon of Montgomery to honor the memory of his grandmother, Sarah McCorkle Moody, the Blackmon-Moody Outstanding Professor Award is presented annually to a faculty member whose, "singular, exceptional, or timely work, whether in the form of research, a product, a program or published material, has brought national recognition to the faculty member and The University of Alabama."

The award recipient is selected by UA President Andrew Sorensen and a committee that reviews faculty nominations made by academic departments.

Hale was chosen for the 2001 award because of the national recognition he has generated in the five years he has been at the Capstone. During this time, Hale has established the MIS-MBA program, which is ranked fourth nationally by ComputerWorld magazine; created the state’s Information Technology Workforce Resource Centers (a collaborative initiative of Alabama State University, Bishop State Community College and UA); and established C&BA’s Enterprise Integration Lab and the Alabama Institute for Manufacturing Excellence’s Manufacturing Information Technology Center. Hale has also established the MIS Forum, a group of leading global business organizations that funds more than 75 student scholarships annually.

"David Hale has been a tremendous force in making our MIS program a national leader," Sorensen said. "The UA program is acknowledged by business leaders across the nation as one that affords their organizations an instant return on investment when they hire one of our students. He is extending the influence of the MIS program and the University across the nation in very positive fashion."

Dr. Ronald Rogers, dean of the Graduate School at UA and coordinator of the award, said Hale has more than met the Blackmon-Moody Outstanding Professor Award requirements.

Dr. J. Barry Mason, C&BA dean, said he is pleased that Hale has received this recognition from the University. "David Hale really goes above and beyond what is required of a professor. He has brought a tremendous amount of recognition to the College’s MIS program through his hard work and dedication. I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this award."

Hale said the award provides a legacy for and momentum to continue building the MIS program. "This is outstanding for this program and the work the team of MIS faculty and students has done in the last five years," he said. "I am also extremely pleased that the program has received recognition and is now part of the ‘Alabama Tradition’."