Robert Van Ness
OXFORD, Miss. – During his 12-year tenure at the University of Mississippi, Robert Van Ness has spent much time in the classroom teaching finance principles and mentoring students. He also has carved out a legacy of research that has led to significant advancements in the field of finance.
Van Ness, Bruce Moore Scholar of Finance, professor of finance and director of doctoral programs in the UM School of Business Administration, added another career accolade this weekend, when he was named the seventh recipient of UM’s Distinguished Research and Creative Achievement Award.
The award, including $7,500 and a personal plaque, was presented during UM’s main commencement ceremony Saturday (May 10) by Alice Clark, vice chancellor for research and sponsored programs.
“The award was created to recognize and pay tribute to a faculty member whose career and achievements have generated national and international accolades; someone who has been a leader in his chosen field, who has inspired and encouraged others, who is admired and respected by his peers and who has made outstanding lifelong contributions to his profession and to our institution,” Clark said.
“Dr. Van Ness’ research is far-reaching and influential – a great example of the value of academic scholarship to real-world challenges. His leadership is a model for us all.”
Van Ness’ contributions have made an enormous impact on market microstructure, which concentrates on trading activity and market quality in financial markets. His research spans trading costs, short selling and market competition.
Reflecting upon the recognition, Van Ness said, “I was stunned when I heard. This was not something that I had any idea about, and I am very honored to receive this award.”
He has collaborated with 54 co-authors throughout his career, resulting in 77 publications. Forty-four are ranked as elite, near-elite or high quality by the UM finance department. In addition to publishing in the top 25 journals in finance, Van Ness has published several pedagogical articles on enhancing the learning of students. He has made presentations at more than 70 professional meetings and conferences.
Van Ness has served on 18 finance dissertation committees, 12 of which he chaired or co-chaired. He has been awarded the MBA Outstanding Teacher of the Year three times.
He serves as co-editor of The Financial Review, one of the premier journals in the field, and was Tom B. Scott Chair of Financial Institutions from 2005 to 2013.
Van Ness said he feels that his family and colleagues should share in this latest honor.
“There are a number of people that have been instrumental in my research career, but the person that has been the most instrumental is my wife (Bonnie),” he said. “I do most of my research with my wife, who also has a Ph.D. in finance, and I would not be a successful without her. Bonnie and I discuss ideas – how to test and execute research projects together – and are very helpful as co-authors to each other.”
Van Ness joined the Ole Miss faculty in 2002 after working at Marshall University and Kansas State University. He received both doctoral and master’s degrees from the University of Memphis, and he holds a bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University.
The Van Nesses have a daughter, Morgan, and a son, Peter.
The annual Distinguished Research and Creative Achievement Award is sponsored by Pharmaceutics International Inc., whose CEO, Syed Abidi, is a UM alumnus. The inaugural recipient of the award, in 2008, was Sam Shu-Yi Wang, F.A.P. Barnard Distinguished Professor of Mechanical Engineering. Other recipients are Larry A. Walker, director of the National Center for Natural Products Research; Charles Reagan Wilson, the Kelly Gene Cook Chair of History and professor of Southern studies; Dale Flesher, Arthur Anderson Lecturer in the Patterson School of Accountancy; Atef Elsherbeni, professor of electrical engineering; and Mahmoud Elsohly, professor of pharmaceutics.
The Distinguished Research and Creative Achievement Award is designed to recognize a faculty member on the Oxford campus who has achieved national and/or international recognition in his or her field. Recipients have distinguished careers and are engaged in scholarly and/or creative activity and also demonstrate evidence of encouraging the scholarly and/or creative works of others. In addition, recipients have participated in leadership roles in scientific and professional societies.