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The Florida State University College of Business has established an everlasting tribute to three former faculty members who dedicated decades to transforming the lives of students and guiding the college towards excellence.
The college honored the inductions of Robert Brymer, the late Ross Heck, and the recently retired James Pitts into its Charles A. Rovetta Faculty Hall of Fame during its annual faculty and staff awards evening in March. On that night, the college acknowledged the achievements of 17 current faculty and staff members for their contributions toward fulfilling its commitment to nurturing future business leaders.
This ceremony occurred amidst the college’s yearlong festivities celebrating its 75th anniversary as it prepares to transition into its new world-class facility, Legacy Hall, expected to be completed in late August.
“Here’s to our extraordinary legacy, the promise of an exceptional future, and to the notable individuals we are here to recognize this evening,” stated Michael Hartline, dean of the College of Business, to those gathered in the FSU Alumni Association ballroom.
Brymer, Heck, and Pitts joined 20 previous honorees in the Rovetta Faculty Hall of Fame, named after the college’s second dean. “They distinguished themselves through their long-standing contributions to the college, their disciplines, and, most importantly, their students,” Hartline remarked. “Like those inductees before them, they’ve shaped who we are.”
Hartline took a moment early in the celebration to honor Charles Hardwick, the individual for whom the Charles Hardwick Teaching Awards are named. A 2005 inductee into the college’s Alumni Hall of Fame, Hardwick passed away earlier this year at the age of 83.
“Chuck’s initiative to establish our teaching awards significantly benefited our faculty, our students, and our college,” Hartline conveyed. “We will always sincerely value and admire Chuck’s generosity and vision, and I will greatly miss him as a friend and mentor.”
The dean also remembered Mary Solomon, who also passed away earlier this year. Hartline portrayed Solomon, the widow of the former dean and Faculty Hall of Fame member E. Ray Solomon, as “a vital benefactor of the college and a cherished friend to countless individuals.”
ROBERT ANDREW BRYMER
Influential educator, hospitality authority
Brymer became a member of the College of Business faculty in 1981 and retired in 2018 from the Dedman School of Hospitality, which later evolved into a college. He held the position of Dedman’s director from 2006 to 2008 and gained recognition as one of the globe’s top 20 hospitality researchers. Now serving as the Cecil B. Day Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Brymer is acknowledged for incorporating ethics into FSU’s business and hospitality management courses.
He also facilitated connections between students and eminent hospitality leaders and organizations. Dave Dinnie (B.S. Hospitality ’88), a long-serving senior executive at The Walt Disney Company, credited Brymer with helping to kickstart his career, as well as that of his son, Jack Dinnie (B.S. Recreation & Tourism Management ’24), a food and beverage manager at Hyatt Hotels.
Clint Day (B.S. Business Administration ’82), another former student, referred to Brymer as “the most impactful professor in my life.” Jane Ohlin, who became part of the business faculty in 1989 and now works with Dedman, remarked that Brymer championed the interests of both students and faculty alike.
Brymer delivered a humorous and humble acceptance speech, playfully sharing how his children and grandchildren had established a “hall of fame for the Brymer family.”
He recounted a phone call he and his wife, Becky, received last spring regarding the first vote: Becky was “inducted.” He would have to wait for the next opportunity.
The audience burst into laughter.
On a more serious and poignant note, Brymer celebrated his 55 years of marriage to Becky, stating: “Everything I’ve achieved of any significance is a direct result of having her in my life.”
He concluded with a lighthearted remark, encouraging attendees: “If any of you happen to converse with any of my kids or grandkids in the next couple of weeks … please mention me.”
WILLIAM ROSS HECK
Tax law specialist, rigorous educator
Heck (1925-2005) served on the FSU faculty from 1959 to 1988, including a stint as interim chair of the accounting department. He earned widespread acclaim for his in-depth knowledge of tax law and unwavering commitment to students and their future endeavors.
Heck’s honors included Florida’s Outstanding Educator Award from the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Professor of the Year Award from Beta Alpha Psi, and the Instruction Efficiency Award from Alpha Kappa Psi. He also co-authored numerous writings on tax laws and conducted professional development sessions for active accountants.
Fellow inductee Pitts recalled his collaboration with Heck at the college, remembering him as a thorough, empathetic mentor and a perfectionist who maintained an open-door policy for students.
Rose Zongker, a 94-year-old former undergraduate adviser who attended the ceremony, reminisced about Heck’s side job as a Wakulla County ambulance driver. She recounted an instance where Heck called to notify her that her daughter had been involved in an accident, assuring her that he was tending to her and that she would be alright.
Former student Doug Tatum similarly regarded Heck as “a remarkable individual.”
After a brief pause, he added: “Outside of the classroom.” This evoked laughter from the crowd.
Tatum, who received his bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1979 and a Master of Accounting (MAcc) in 1980, accepted Heck’s posthumous honor and spoke on his former professor’s behalf.
“Within the classroom, he was genuinely feared” for his insistence on preparedness and performance, Tatum remarked about Heck, adding: “He was the most remarkable instructor I’d ever encountered.”
JAMES “JIM” PITTS
Academic innovator, International Programs trailblazer
Pitts joined the college as an assistant professor of finance in 1968 and retired last year after an impressive 56-year career at FSU. He also acted as the college’s associate dean for administration and development.
In 1989, he took on the role of FSU’s assistant to the president for supervision, and later became vice president for advancement. At the invitation of Bernie Sliger, then FSU’s president, Pitts located and acquired a campus for the university’s London program. In 1995, he took charge of International Programs, establishing the university as a leader in study-abroad participation.
Senior lecturer Bill Woodyard, who has taught business law and real estate in FSU’s European centers, described Pitts as a visionary whose knowledge in finance and real estate was instrumental in the success of International Programs.
Gary Bliss, a senior lecturer in the college’s finance department and a student of Pitts, recalled Pitts as a legendary opponent of student calculator use.
Bliss added: “I absolutely admire the man.”
In his acceptance speech, Pitts recognized his wife, Martha, who had passed away four months prior, for guiding him toward FSU over five decades ago. He shared that, despite initially planning to go to another university, a thoughtful night of contemplation with Martha ultimately led him to opt for FSU instead.
“God blessed us with a very gratifying and fulfilling career of 56 years
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“at FSU,” he remarked.
He also mentioned that their trio of children all attained FSU qualifications.
A grandchild may soon become part of their legacy: Pitts noted he has recently acquired Florida prepaid tuition for his baby grandson, James Parker Pitts, who – adorned in garnet and gold – was present with family members at the event. James is the offspring of Justin Pitts (B.S. Finance ’04.)
“I truly hope he attends FSU and becomes a Seminole,” Jim Pitts expressed.
Awards for Faculty and Staff
CORE VALUES AWARDS – Staff
Jason Harle, course facilitator and career mentor, Business Career Services
Mariesa Haynes, course administrator, Department of Risk Management/Insurance, Real Estate and Legal Studies
Elizabeth Kistner, head, Graduate Programs Office
CORE VALUES AWARDS – Faculty
Allen Blay, chair, Department of Accounting, and EY Professor of Accounting
Gang Wang, Madeline Duncan Rolland Professor of Business Administration, Department of Management
Ally Zimmerman, Madeline Duncan Rolland Associate Professor of Business Administration, Department of Accounting
STAFF AWARDS
MVP: Suzanne Barwick, director, Marketing and Communications
Emerging Leader: Eden Wahlquist, course administrator, Rockwood School of Marketing
Ingenuity Award: Kallen Lunt, media expert, Marketing and Communications
Extra Mile Award: Vanessa Roman-Sotolongo, academic program specialist, Undergraduate Programs Office
Esprit de Corps: Trinity Gonzalez, events coordinator, Strategic Engagement
CHARLES HARDWICK OUTSTANDING TEACHING AWARDS
Undergraduate Teaching Award, Tenure-Track Faculty: Riley Krotz, assistant professor, Rockwood School of Marketing
Undergraduate Teaching Award, Specialized Faculty: Keith Ferguson, associate lecturer and entrepreneur in-residence, Rockwood School of Marketing
Graduate Teaching Award: Darren Brooks, assistant chair, Department of Management; senior lecturer; MBA program coordinator
RESEARCH AWARDS
Junior Faculty: Remy Jennings, assistant professor and Dean’s Emerging Scholar, Department of Management
Senior Faculty: Colleen Harmeling, Dr. Persis E. Rockwood Associate Professor of Marketing, Rockwood School of Marketing
Distinguished Research Award: Michael Brusco, Haywood & Betty Taylor Eminent Scholar of Business Administration, Department of Business Analytics, Information Systems and Supply Chain
The article College of Business inducts three additional individuals into Faculty Hall of Fame, recognizing outstanding faculty and staff members was first published on Florida State University News.
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