July 27, 2007
Peterson named Teel Professor of Finance
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Mark A. Peterson, associate professor of finance in SIUC's College of Business and Administration, will assume the post this fall. "I am honored to carry on the long tradition of excellence at SIUC College of Business," Peterson said.
Gordon and Sharon Teel endowed the professorship in finance. Gordon, a 1967 SIU graduate in accounting, is chairman, president and CEO of Georgian Bancorporation Inc. and Georgian Bank. At SIUC, Gordon serves as an Executive-in-Residence and on the External Advisory Board of the College of Business and Administration. Sharon earned a bachelor's degree in education from SIU, also in 1967. She is active with her family and various community and charitable organizations. The Teels are members of the Henry J. Rehn Society, created to recognize alumni and friends who make significant financial investments in the college.
"The Teels have demonstrated a genuine commitment to academic excellence," said Dean J. Dennis Cradit. "Their professorship allows us to maintain our standing as a top-notch public research university."
Peterson researches investments, in general, and market microstructure in particular. Market microstructure deals with the subject of trading in financial assets. Current research projects include an analysis of how short selling regulation affects trading of stocks and the benefits of using investment bankers in raising equity capital.
"Dr. Peterson's accomplishments are an indication of the quality of SIUC College of Business faculty. We are committed to cutting edge research across all disciplines and we have a passion for teaching excellence. Dr. Peterson is a prime example of each," Cradit said.
At SIUC, Peterson is the faculty adviser for the Saluki Student Investment Fund. He was on the College of Business and Administration Outstanding Research Honor Roll in 2003 and 2004, and named Researcher of the Year in 2003. That same year, Peterson also won the Financial Management Association Competitive Paper Award in Market Microstructure. From 1996 to 1999, Peterson was a visiting economist at the Office of Economic Analysis, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
"Mark is a fantastic colleague," said James J. Musumeci, chair of the finance department. "His attitude has always been 'what can I do to help?'"
Wallace "Dave" Davidson, Henry J. Rehn Research Professor of Finance, adds, "Mark arrives early and leaves late each day. He works weekends and holidays. His work has paid off – he is a highly successful scholar."
Peterson joined the SIUC faculty in 1997. Prior to that, he taught at Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pa. Other positions held include visiting financial economist/consultant for U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C., from 1996 to 1999, system engineer at E-Systems State College, Pa., from 1990 to 1994, and electrical engineer at National Security Agency, Fort Meade, Md., from 1987 to 1990.
Born in San Diego, Calif., Peterson was raised in Connecticut, Indiana and Nebraska. He received a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from University of Nebraska, Lincoln in 1987, a master's degree in electrical engineering from The Johns Hopkins University in 1990 and a doctorate in finance from The Pennsylvania State University in 1996.