Best Wishes to Retiring Faculty

The College of Business is saying goodbye to nine faculty at the end of this academic year due to changes in the State Teachers Retirement System’s structure.  This is the third and last article in a series spotlighting faculty who are retiring from BGSU.

This month, we highlight two faculty from the economics department, Dr. Mary Ellen Benedict and Dr. Kyoo Kim, and Dr. Dan Klein from the finance department.

Dr. Mary Ellen Benedict

This Professor of Economics has taught at BGSU since 1991 and has been chair of the department since 2011. Dr. Benedict was tenured as a full professor in 2002 and was named a Distinguished Teaching Professor, the highest designation the University gives to a current faculty member, in 2010. Dr. Benedict earned her master’s and her Ph.D. in Economics and Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University where she has also taught as an adjunct from 1985 until 2007.

Her primary research interest is in labor economics and teaching economics. She brings to the classroom her experience of being part of a union and understanding labor relations. Dr. Benedict also thinks that working with the poor and doing projects in Estonia are important business experiences she shares in her classrooms.

Over the years, Dr. Benedict has been highly recognized for her teaching excellence and service.  She was awarded the first College of Business Excellence in Teaching Award, presented by the Leadership Council; the BGSU President’s Award for Academic Advising, the Faculty Mentor Award from Faculty Senate, and dozens of advising and teaching awards within the University and from outside organizations.

“I am very lucky to have worked with wonderful colleagues in my department and the College,” states Dr. Benedict.  “I also met some wonderful students, and many of them still write me about the classes they took, how what they learned at BGSU helped with their careers, and what major changes in their lives developed over the years.  While I am excited about the new chapter in my life coming soon, I will be sad to leave the department and College.  And, if you ever come to Pittsburgh, let me know and I’ll show you the best places in town!”

Dr. Kyoo Kim

Dr. Kim has been part of the economics department faculty at BGSU since 1978, being promoted to full professor in 1989.  Dr. Kim has also served as a visiting professor at Saitama University in Japan and at Seoul National University in Korea. He earned his undergraduate degree at Seoul National University and his master’s and Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. He has extensively published scholarly articles in areas that include foreign investments in Asian economies and the application of game theory to finance, trade, and industrial organization. Dr. Kim has held top leadership positions in the Korea-America Economic Association.

Dr. Kim reflects on his years at BGSU. “Thirty seven years at Bowling Green State University has gone by. As I near retirement, people are asking me how I feel about my tenure at BGSU. Upon rumination, I have mixed emotions, some humorous, some more contemplative. Although I don't think I'll miss the regular student who pleaded for a "C" in order to graduate or the seemingly daily question of ‘Was anything important covered in lecture today?’, I will definitely miss the more meaningful ‘eureka’ moments of students who finally understood the concept I was teaching. 

Likewise, I will think fondly of the students who went on to pursue careers in economics, of whom I feel I played a small part in their love for the field.  I will also miss my colleagues and the intellectually-stimulating environment they provided and the support for me throughout the years.  To all of you, I would like to say thank you.  While this chapter is closing at BGSU, I am excited for what lies ahead and hope that this adventure will continue to include economics and you.”

Dr. Dan Klein

Dr. Klein has been a professor in the BGSU Department of Finance since 1989 and served as chair of the department from 2003 to 2010. He is a former holder of the Ashel G. Bryan/Mid American Bank Professorship and has been awarded the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.  His teaching interests include investments, corporate finance, and personal finance and his areas of research include initial public offerings, options and futures markets, corporate structure, market efficiency, and corporate governance.

Dr. Klein has earned numerous University and College of Business awards including the University Distinguished Advisor Award, the Robert A. Patton Scholarly Achievement Award, and the Marie Hodge Advising Award. The BGSU associate professor has served as president of the CFA Society of Toledo and is president of the Wealth Management Society of Northwest Ohio.

Dr. Klein graduated with a B.A. in Economics from John Carroll University, a master’s in economics from Iowa State University, and a Ph.D. in Finance from the University of Kansas.  He also has been the faculty advisor for the BGSU Financial Management Society, coached student teams in the CFA Institute University Investment Research Challenge, and was instrumental in creating the BGSU College of Business Research and Financial Trading Lab.

The finance professor reflects fondly on his tenure at the University.  “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as a faculty member at BGSU in the College of Business. I couldn’t ask for a better group of colleagues and staff members with which to work over the years, especially in the Department of Finance.  I have enjoyed the many challenges of being an instructor for, and an advisor to, the young people who have made their way through our program.  My best memories have been as faculty advisor to the teams of students who have represented the department and the University in the CFA Institute University Investment Research Challenge.”