W.K. (Ker) Ferguson, Assistant Vice President for Research at the University of South Alabama, has successfully defended his Human Capital Development (HCD) dissertation, A Policy Framed Analysis of The Valley of Death In U.S. University Technology Transfer, chaired by MSED faculty, Dr. Chad R. Miller. The research found that the commonly held belief that a capital shortage in the mid-stages of technological development is the rate-limiting factor, preventing the maximum flow of university inventive knowledge from entering the marketplace is misplaced. A more apt metaphor than the Valley of Death is as a Darwinian Sea of survival of the economically fittest technologies. The research used content analysis of Congressional Records applying the Advocacy Coalition Framework (ACF) along with historical federal and private sector research and development funding data.  The recommendations are that federal policy change from a focus on addressing a funding shortage to policies that directly influence the level of the threshold rate of return for commercialization and improve dissemination. 

Casino, Hospitality, and Tourism Award

1. Outstanding Coast Scholar - Penny Lee Slatten
2. Outstanding Junior Scholar - Lauren Denise Wilkinson Gaudet
3. Outstanding Senior Scholar - Kelsey Rose Sunderman 
4. Spirit of Hospitality Award - Jonathan Leighton Fritz 

Economic Development

5.  Outstanding Graduate Student in Economic Development Award - Suzett McIntosh