Association for University
Business and Economic Research

A national association of regional
economic research centers

Award Recipients

Each year, AUBER recognizes the high-quality work of our member centers through the Awards of Excellence in Publications & Websites, as well as the Polzin Prize for Best Paper. These awards are presented during our annual conferences.

Individuals who have made outstanding contributions to AUBER may be nominated for two of the most highly regarded awards, the Fellow of AUBER Award and the prestigious R. Thayne Robson Award.

Award Winners

2023 Conference Awards

Awarded during the fall 2023 conference in San Antonio, Texas.

Electronic Publications

  • Portland State University, Northwest Economic Research Center: “The Power of Music – An Economic Analysis of Oregon’s Emerging Commercial Music Industry”

Print Publications

  • Middle Tennessee State University, Business and Economic Research Center: “Health Care Industry Nashville MSA 2023: Trends, Scope, and Impact on the Regional Economy”

Websites

Paul Polzin Prize for Best Paper

  • Derek Sheehan, University of Montana, Bureau of Business and Economic Research: “An Assessment of the Potential Impacts of a Montana Low-Income Housing Tax Credit”

AUBER Fellow

  • John Deskins, West Virginia University

R. Thayne Robson Award

  • Sean Snaith, University of Central Florida, Institute for Economic Forecasting

2022 Conference Awards

Awarded during the fall 2022 conference in Pensacola Beach, Florida.

Electronic Publications

  • University of Alabama, Center for Business and Economic Research: “Alabama Economic Outlook”

Print Publications

  • University of Nevada Las Vegas, Center for Business and Economic Research: “Population Forecast 2020-2060”

Websites

AUBER Fellow

  • Bruce Kellison, University of Texas at Austin

2021 Conference Awards

Awarded during the spring 2022 conference in Boulder, Colorado due to COVID.

Electronic Publications

Print Publications

Websites

2020 Conference Awards

Awarded during the fall 2020 conference, held online due to COVID.

Print Publications

Websites

  • University of Hawaii, Economic Research Organization: UHERO Website

2019 Conference Awards

Awarded during the fall 2019 conference in Savannah, Georgia.

Electronic Publications

Print Publications

Websites

  • University of Alabama, Center for Business and Economic Research: UA Website

Polzin Prize for Best Paper

Best Research Poster

  • Phil Boyum, Georgia Southern University

Excellence in Publications

The purpose of these awards is to recognize excellence in three areas:  electronic publications, print publications and websites.

Electronic Publications

2023 • Portland State University, Northwest Economic Research Center: “The Power of Music – An Economic Analysis of Oregon’s Emerging Commercial Music Industry”

2022 • University of Alabama, Center for Business and Economic Research

2021 • University of Utah, Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute (awarded spring 2022 due to COVID)

2019 • Ball State University, Center for Business and Economic Research

2018 • Indiana University, Business Research Center

2017 • University of Nevada Las Vegas, Center for Business and Economic Research

2014 • University of Arizona, Economic and Business Research Center: Arizona’s Economy

2013 • Middle Tennessee State University, Business and Economic Research Center: Global Commerce

2011 • University of Alabama, Center for Business and Economic Research:  Alabama Business

2009 • Indiana University, Business Research Center:  InContext

2008 • Ball State University, Bureau of Business Research: 2008 State of the Industry Report: Manufacturing and Logistics in Indiana National Manufacturing and Logistics Report Card

Print Publications

2023 • Middle Tennessee State University, Business and Economic Research Center: “Health Care Industry Nashville MSA 2023: Trends, Scope, and Impact on the Regional Economy”

2022 • University of Nevada Las Vegas, Center for Business and Economic Research: “Population Forecast 2020-2060”

2021 • University of Utah, Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute: Utah Informed: Visual Intellection for 2021 (awarded spring 2022 due to COVID)

2020 • University of Montana, Bureau of Business and Economic Research: Montana Business Quarterly

2019 • University of Montana, Bureau of Business and Economic Research: Montana Business Quarterly

2018 • University of Utah, Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute: Utah Informed: Visual Intellection for 2018

2017 • West Virginia University, Bureau of Business and Economic Research: West Virginia Economic Outlook 2017 – 2021

Websites

2023 • University of West Florida, Haas Center: Achieve Dashboard

2022 • Middle Tennessee State University, Business and Economic Research Center

2021 • University of Montana, Bureau of Business and Economic Research (awarded spring 2022 due to COVID)

2020 • University of Hawaii, Economic Research Organization

2019 • University of Alabama, Center for Business and Economic Research

2018 • Indiana University, Business Research Center

2017 • University of Montana, Bureau of Business and Economic Research

2014 • Ball State University, Center for Business and Economic Research

2013 • University of Montana – Missoula, Bureau of Business and Economic Research

2012 • University of Nevada – Las Vegas, Center for Business and Economic Research

2011 • University of Hawaii, Economic Research Organization

2010 • University of Arizona, Economic and Business Research Center

2009 • Ball State University, Center for Business and Economic Research

2008 • Indiana University, Business Research Center

2007 • University of Buffalo – The State University of New York, The Regional Institute

2006 • University of Arizona, Economic and Business Research Center

2005 • University of Montana, Bureau of Business and Economic Research

2004 • Indiana University, Business Research Center

2003 • University of Alabama, Center for Business and Economic Research

2002 • University of Oklahoma, Center for Economic and Management Research

2001 • University of Arizona, Economic and Business Research Program

2000 • Kenneth F. Wieand, University of South Florida, Center for Economic Development Research

1999 • Douglas P. Woodward, University of South Carolina

1998 • William L. Huth, University of West Florida

1997 • Jerry L. Wall, Northeast Louisiana University, Center for Business & Economic Research

AUBER Fellow Award

The purpose of this award is to recognize individuals who have provided significant leadership and substantial service to the AUBER organization. Winners in this category have met all—or substantially all—of the established criteria.  One award may be given per year. View award criteria.

2023 • John Deskins, West Virginia University

2022 • Bruce Kellison, University of Texas at Austin

2018 • Carl Bonham, University of Hawaii and Jerry Conover, Indiana University

2016 • Carol Rogers, Indiana University

2012 • Stephen Smith, University of Memphis

2009 • Marshall Vest, University of Arizona

2008 • Paul Polzin, University of Montana and Esmael Adibi, Chapman University

2006 • John Gnuschke, University of Memphis and John Knapp, University of Virginia

2004 • Lorena Akioka, University of Georgia and Keith Schwer, University of Nevada Las Vegas

 

AUBER Honorary Member

Each honorary member receives his/her individual lifetime membership at the fall business meeting, typically held during fall conference. Honorary members are invited to attend all meetings of the Association and may serve on committees. Honorary members are not eligible to vote or hold elected office in the Association. Honorary members shall pay no annual dues.

2012 • Tom Witt, West Virginia University

Paul Polzin Prize for Best Paper

The purpose of this award is to raise the level of academic rigor on some (but not all) panels; encourage peer-reviewed publication of AUBER papers and presentations; and to provide a more academic experience at the AUBER conference for those who need it. View submission guidelines.

2023 • Derek Sheehan (University of Montana, Bureau of Business and Economic Research): An Assessment of the Potential Impacts of a Montana Low-Income Housing Tax Credit

2019 • Pankaj Patel (Villanova), Srikant Devaraj and Michael Hicks (Ball State University, Center for Business and Economic Research): Must Access Laws for Opioid Prescription and County Gross Domestic Product

2017 • Timothy Slaper (Indiana University, Business Research Center): An Agglomeration Set on a Hill: Industry Clusters and the Magnetic Attraction of FDI

Conference Host

2023 • University of Texas at Austin, Bureau of Business Research, and Texas A&M University, Real Estate Research Center

2022 • University of West Florida, Haas Center

2022 • University of Colorado Boulder, Leeds School of Business

2019 • Georgia Southern University, Center for Business Analytics and Economic Research

2018 • University of Utah, Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute

2017 • University of New Mexico, Bureau of Business and Economic Research

2016 • University of Arkansas, Center for Business and Economic Research

2015 • University of Central Florida, Institute for Economic Competitiveness

2014 • Portland State University, Northwest Economic Research Center

2013 • University of Virginia, Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service

2012 • University of Hawaii, Economic Research Organization

2011 • Ball State University, Center for Business and Economic Research; Indiana University, Business Research Center; Purdue University, Center for Regional Development

2010 • West Virginia University, Bureau of Business & Economic Research

2009 • University of Texas at Austin, Bureau of Business Research

2008 • Western Washington University, Center for Economics and Business Research

2007 • University of West Florida, Haas Center for Business Research and Economic Development

2000 • Indiana University, Business Research Center

R. Thayne Robson Award

The R. Thayne Robson Award is the highest honor that AUBER awards to an individual for their longtime commitment and service to the organization. To earn the Robson Award, individuals must be AUBER members for at least 15 years, be center directors, have served on the AUBER board of directors and be an economic and public policy leaders in their state. The Robson Award is awarded every other year.

2023 • Sean Snaith, University of Central Florida

2021 • Patrick Barkey, University of Montana

2014 • Paul Polzin, University of Montana

2013 • Marshall Vest, University of Arizona

2012 • Tom Witt, West Virginia University

2008 • Richard Wobbekind, University of Colorado Boulder

2006 • Keith Schwer, University of Nevada Las Vegas

 

Best Research Poster

2019 • Phil Boyum, Georgia Southern University

Past Publication Award Winners (2000 – 2014)

The following award categories were retired in 2014, and merged with the current publications categories (electronic, print, and websites).

Newsletters, Brochures, and Other Printed Promotional Materials

2012 • The Virgina Newsletter – University of Virginia, Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service

2011 • Measuring Community: A Newsletter of Spokane’s Community Indicators Initiative – Eastern Washington University, Institute for Public Policy & Economic Analysis

2009 • CBER Open House – Ball State University, Center for Business and Economic Research

2008 • Promotional Portfolio for the Regional Institute 10th Anniversary Symposium on Change – The Regional Institute, University of Buffalo – The State University of New York

2007 • IBRC promotional brochure – Indiana Business Research Center, Kelley School of Business, Indiana University

2006 • Alabama Business – Center for Business and Economic Research, University of Alabama

2005 • Economic and Business Research Center, University of Arizona

2004 • AZB: Arizona Business, Arizona State University, Center for Business Research

2003 • Middle Tennessee State University, Business and Economic Research Center

2002 • University of West Florida, Haas Center for Business Research and Economic Development

2001 • L. William Seidman Research Institute, Arizona State University

2000 • Lynn P. Reinke, West Virginia University

Abstracts and Other Data Publications

2012 • University of Nevada Las Vegas, Center for Business and Economic Research: 2011 Nevada KIDS COUNT data booK

2011 • University of Montana, Bureau of Business and Economic Research: 2010 Montana KIDS COUNT data book

2010 • University of Arizona, Economic and Business Research Center: EBR Database Online

2009 • University of Florida, Bureau of Economic and Business Research: Florida Statistical Abstract 2008

2008 • University of Montana, Bureau of Business and Economic Research: 2007 Montana KIDS COUNT data book

2007 • The Regional Institute, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York: Policy Briefs

2006 • California State University Northridge, San Fernando Valley Economic Research Center: San Fernando Valley Economic Report

2004 • Bureau of Economic and Business Research, University of Florida: Florida Statistical Abstract 2003

2003 • University of Arizona, Economic and Business Research Program

2002 • University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Institute for Economic Advancement

2001 • University of Oklahoma, Center for Economics and Management Research

2000 • Janet Galvez, University of Florida

Economic Outlooks, Special Studies, Technical or Contract Reports

2014 • Economic Outlooks:  2014 Economic Outlook, West Virginia University, Bureau of Business and Economic Research

2013 • Special Studies, Technical, or Contract Reports: Carbon Tax and Shift: How to Make It Work for Oregon’s Economy, Portland State University, Northwest Economic Research Center

2012 • Economic Outlooks:  Colorado Business Economic Outlook 2012, University of Colorado – Boulder, Leeds School of Business

2012 • Special Studies, Technical, or Contract Reports:  Economic Impact of the 2011 Western and Southern Open, University of Cincinnati, Economics Center

2011 • Economic Outlooks:  Forecast of Georgia and Atlanta, Georgia State University, Economic Forecasting Center

2011 • Special Studies, Technical, or Contract Reports:  Montana Manufacturers Survey, University of Montana, Bureau of Business and Economic Research,

2010 • Economic Outlooks:  Economic and Business Review, Chapman University, Gary Anderson Center for Economic Research

2010 • Special Studies, Technical or Contract Reports:  Structure and Economic Impact of Utah’s Coal Industry, University of Utah, Bureau of Economic and Business Research

2009 • Economic Outlooks:  Indiana Business Review: Outlook 2009, Indiana University, Business Research Center

2009 • Special Studies, Technical or Contract Reports:  Local Government Reform in Indiana, Ball State University, Center for Business and Economic Research

2008 • Economic Outlooks:  2008 Montana Economic Outlook Seminar booklet, University of Montana, Bureau of Business and Economic Research

2008 • Special Studies, Technical or Contract Report:  The Economic Importance of the Arts & Cultural Industries in Albuquerque and Bernalillo Counties, University of New Mexico, Bureau of Business and Economic Research

2007 • Special Studies, Technical & Contract Reports: Unlocking Rural Competitiveness: The Role of Regional Clusters, Indiana Business Research, Kelley School of Business, Indiana University

2006 • Special Studies, Technical & Contract Reports: 2006 Orange County Executive Survey, A. Gary Anderson Center for Business and Economic Research, Chapman University

2005 • Economic Outlooks: University of Alabama, Center for Business and Economic Research

2005 • Special Studies, Technical & Contract Reports: University of Arkansas, Center for Business and Economic Research

2004 • Economic Outlooks:  Indiana Business Review, Indiana Business Research Center, Kelly School of Business, Indiana University

2004 • Special Studies, Technical & Contract Reports:  The Economic, Demographic and Fiscal Impacts of Closing Hill Air Force Base, Bureau of Economic and Business Research, University of Utah

2003 • Chapman University, A. Gary Anderson Center for Economic Research

2002 • University of Montana, Bureau of Business and Economic Research

2001 • Deborah Hamilton, University of Alabama, Center for Business and Economic Research

2000 • Diana Hunter, University of Arizona

Magazines and Journals

2011 • Montana Business Quarterly – Bureau of Business and Economic Research, University of Montana

2010 • American Journal of Business – Center for Business and Economic Research, Ball State University

2009 • Indiana Business Review – Indiana Business Research Center, Indiana University

2008 • Montana Business Quarterly – Bureau of Business and Economic Research, University of Montana

2007 • Tennessee’s Business – Business & Economic Research Center, Middle Tennessee State University

2006 • InContext – Indiana Business Research Center, Indiana University

2005 • Montana Business Quarterly – Bureau of Business and Economic Research, University of Montana

2004 • Tennessee’s Business – Business and Economic Research Center, Middle Tennessee State University

2003 • Indiana Business Research Center, Indiana University

2001 • Bureau of Business and Economic Research/Center for Manpower Studies, University of Memphis

2000 • Horace E. Johns, Middle Tennessee State University

Past Publication Award Winners (1983 – 1999)

The following awards were retired and categories changed in 2000.

Continuing Publication

1999 • Judy Corwin, Baylor University

1998 • Charles Little, St. Johns University

1997 • Stephen L. Tracy, University of South Dakota

1996 • Horace E. Johns, Middle Tennessee State University

1995 • Marlene Nesary and Shannon Furniss, University of Montana

1994 • Dolores Bell, University of Memphis

1993 • Diana Hunter, University of Arizona

1992 • Tom Woods, California State University,Los Angeles

1991 • Horace E. Johns, Middle Tennessee State University

1990 • Jeanne McDonald, University of Tennessee

1989 • Nan Beams, Arizona State University and Janis Ward, West Virginia University (co-winners)

1988 • Jan Stucker, University of South Carolina

1987 • Ann Cameron, Chapman University

1986 • Jeanne McDonald, University of Tennessee

1985 • Peggy Stanley, Georgia State University

1984 • Marilyn Bamberger, Oklahoma State University

1983 • Mary Lenihan, University of Montana

One-Time Publication

1999 • Mark Berger, Eric Thompson and Steve Allen, University of Kentucky

1998 • Deborah Hamilton, University of Alabama

1997 • Lynn Reinke, West Virginia University

1996 • Paul R. Zelus, Idaho State University

1995 • Terry Creeth, Indiana University

1994 • Cindy DiPersio*, University of Colorado and Patricia Wickham*, University of Oklahoma (*co-winners)

1993 • Pia Montoya, University of Arizona

1992 • William Bryan and Lori Williamson, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

1991 • Lorena Akioka, University of Georgia

1990 • Carlene Hill-Forrest, Wichita State University

1989 • Center for Business Research, St. Cloud University

1988 • Jerry Hembd, University of Wisconsin, Superior

1987 • Deborah Hamilton, University of Alabama

1986 • Julia Martin, University of Virginia

1985 • Lorena Akioka, University of Georgia