Three professors in the E. Craig Wall Sr. College of Business Administration at Coastal Carolina University have been named to professorships. These premier professorships have been awarded to faculty members who exemplify excellence in teaching, research and community service.

The following professorships have been awarded for 2015-2016:

Karen Maguire, professor of accounting, has been awarded the Baxley Applied Impact Award. Maguire earned a Ph.D. in accounting from the University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa. Her research has been published in several scholarly journals, and she has made numerous presentations at local, regional, national and international conferences. Maguire has also provided consultation to organizations such as the Chapin Foundation, the Waccamaw Community Foundation, the Frances P. Bunelle Foundation and Palmetto Works Community Development Corporation.

The criteria for the Baxley Applied Impact Award is service to students, school and profession; enhancement of the Wall College reputation; substantial contributions to the application of sound business practice; the ability to relate real-world experiences into the classroom; encouraging practical application of business practices in the educational process; quality of teaching; quality and number of scholarly works; and appropriate professional and personal conduct.

Arlise McKinney, associate professor of management, has been awarded the Vereen Teaching Impact Award. McKinney earned a Ph.D. in organizational behavior and human resources from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. She has served on several university committees such as the college of business curriculum committee, undergraduate program committee and the Wall Fellows selection committee. She was also chair of the MBA advisory committee. Her research has been published in many scholarly journals.

The criteria for this award is service to the students, school and profession; enhancement of the Wall College reputation; substantial contributions to the application of sound business practice; the ability to relate real-world experiences into the classroom; dedication; character; quality of teaching; quality and number of scholarly works; and appropriate professional and personal conduct.

Carol Megehee, professor of marketing, has been awarded the Blanton Distinguished Research Impact Award. Megehee earned a Ph.D. in marketing from the University of Texas. Before joining the CCU faculty in 2009, she taught at Nicholls State University, Spring Hill College and the University of South Alabama. The Harvard Business Review recently published a research note on Megehee's study of luxury brands and their influence; the research was originally published in the Journal of Business Research. Megehee was also the adviser for CCUs chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma from 2010 to 2012.

The criteria for this award is high impact peer-reviewed activity that noticeably sets one apart from peers and colleagues; enhancement of the reputation of the college through regional, national and international recognition of efforts; service to the students, college and profession; and appropriate professional and personal conduct.