Nik Varaiya Receives Monty Award

For more than 30 years, San Diego State University has recognized the talents and achievements of distinguished faculty with the Alumni Association Awards for Outstanding Faculty Contributions, affectionately called "The Montys."  Montys were awarded August 25 in Cox Arena at the All-University Convocation, the official opening of the academic year. This year’s winner from the College of Business Administration is Dr. Nikhil Varaiya, professor and chair of finance.

Variaya has been a member of the faculty since 1988, during which time he has made outstanding contributions in a number of areas to the department, college, and the university. “He is an outstanding colleague who exemplifies the teacher/scholar model, excelling in both the teaching and research arenas and is an excellent role model for his fellow faculty,” said CBA Dean Gail Naughton.

Varaiya has received multiple teaching awards, including the Outstanding Faculty Award in the EMBA program on three occasions.  He has been the driving force in new curriculum ventures, and his expertise has been valuable to the college’s Community Economic Development Program.  His research and contributions to the field of finance have continued during his time as department chair.  Recent publications appear in the International Journal of Operations and Production Management and Financial Executive.  Prior to becoming chair, Variaya was one of the most prolific researchers in the college, having published in some of the top journals in the finance field.  His leadership as chair has been instrumental during a time in which three deans have served the college.

Variaya has also been active in the community, with the Financial Executives Institute and as a member of the Board of Directors of the USE Credit Union.  “We are lucky to have a colleague with the skills and talents of Dr. Varaiya on our faculty,” said CBA Associate Dean Jim Lackritz.

email: business@sdsu.edu