"Being honored with the teaching awards gives me greater perspective on the impact I am making and encourages me to continue to improve my students' experience each semester. I really do love teaching, so to be honored with these teaching awards was really icing on the cake.” -- Dr. Kerry Inger

The Harbert College is committed to attracting, developing, supporting, and retaining exceptional faculty.

Dr. Kerry Inger, Associate Professor in Harbert College’s School of Accountancy, received multiple honors at Auburn University’s 2020 Faculty Awards ceremony on Wednesday, November 18. Inger was presented with the Alumni Undergraduate Teaching Excellence Award and the prestigious Gerald and Emily Leischuck Endowed Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching.

“To be selected for these honors among so many amazing teachers at Auburn was really amazing,” said Inger, who teaches Tax One and Federal Tax Research. “I have witnessed first-hand the amazing teachers we have at Auburn, and credit many of them with mentoring me and setting a strong example of how to be successful in the classroom.”

The Alumni Undergraduate Teaching Excellence Award recognizes outstanding teaching of undergraduate students from nominations made by department heads, deans, alumni and students. The Leischuck Endowed Presidential Awards for Excellence in Teaching recognizes full-time, tenured faculty members who have demonstrated effective and innovative teaching methods, along with a continued commitment to student success through advising and mentoring.

“Teaching during COVID-19 has been my most memorable teaching experience,” Inger said. “Having to adjust my teaching style and methods has been a challenge, as well as a very rewarding experience. Going through the pandemic together has created a unique shared experience that has allowed me to connect with my students in new ways.

“Teaching requires a lot of effort on a daily basis, whether it is preparing for class, teaching, keeping up to date on tax law changes or spending time with students. It is easy to lose sight of the impact you are making on students’ lives as you carry out these daily activities. Being honored with the teaching awards gives me greater perspective on the impact I am making and encourages me to continue to improve my student's experience each semester. I really do love teaching, so to be honored with these teaching awards was really icing on the cake.”

Inger’s work has been recognized outside of the classroom, as well. Last spring, her co-authored paper, “Valuation Implications of Socially Responsible Tax Avoidance: Evidence from the Electricity Industry,” was named “Best Paper” by the American Accounting Association’s Public Interest Section.

Inger is also part of the School of Accountancy’s faculty team participating in annual Master of Accountancy International trips, where students not only get a better perspective on foreign business, but perform service projects to help communities less fortunate. She referred to the trip as her “proudest moment” as an Auburn faculty member.

“Watching our students eagerly raise funds for and engage with children in schools in poor neighborhoods in South America has been truly heart-warming,” she said. “The students say it is one of the most impactful experiences of their college careers and I could not be more proud of their generous spirit.

“Not only do I aspire to exemplify the ideals of the Auburn Creed in my daily life as an Auburn faculty member, I also want to inspire our students to demonstrate the Creed as well. My involvement with service-learning projects, including volunteer tax return preparation for low-income families and supporting education in low-income neighborhoods in other countries, embodies the Auburn Creed in myself and my students.”

The Harbert College is no stranger to Auburn University faculty awards. In 2018, Dr. James Long, Professor in the School of Accountancy, was presented with the Leischuck Award and Alumni Undergraduate Teaching Award. That same year, Dr. Dave Ketchen, Eminent Scholar in Management, was given a Creative Research and Scholarship Award.