The professor of economics in the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business was formally recognized as the university's new Lincoln Financial Professor on Aug. 18, 2014, as part of an annual ceremony to open the academic year.
Das received the honor in May and was formally recognized in front of colleagues as part of an annual August ceremony that opens the academic year with the start of Planning Week for faculty and staff. Raghu Tadepalli, dean of the Love School of Business, introduced Das and read the citation proclaiming her honor.
“I stand before you truly, truly humbled,” Das said in her acceptance remarks. “There are many here at Elon who have inspired me. Thanks to all my friends and colleagues who have courageously put up with me. You continue to be awesome To my students, I’m touched by them every day. They mean the world to me. And to the entire Elon community, for accepting me as one of your own and for nurturing and supporting my passion. I could not have done it without you.”
Das has a doctorate in economics from the University of Cincinnati, master’s degrees in economics from the University of Cincinnati and the University of Calcutta (India), and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Presidency College in India.
She was named the 2014 recipient of the Daniels-Danieley Award for Excellence in Teaching, the university’s highest honor for contributions in the classroom.
The Lincoln Financial Professorship was originally endowed as the Jefferson Pilot Professorship to provide additional financial support for an outstanding Elon faculty member. Jefferson Pilot Corporation was a Fortune 500 company based in Greensboro, N.C., that provided insurance services and broadcast communications operations. Jefferson Pilot merged with Lincoln Financial in 2006 and the company’s insurance division continues to be based in Greensboro.