Allison Burdette
Emory University
Goizueta Business School
“I cannot think of a professor more deserving of this honor. Professor Burdette was far and away my favorite professor during my time at Emory. ‘Burdette,’ as her students lovingly call her, poured countless hours into her Business Law lectures, transforming her classes into joyous, interactive learning experiences. She could take the most dense, dry legal concepts and turn them into captivating lessons. I worked as one of her Teaching Assistants during my senior year and for several months after graduation, giving me the opportunity to observe firsthand how much she cares for her students. Burdette is relentlessly determined to see all of her students succeed.” – Will Bashur
Allison Burdette, 59, is Professor in the Practice of Business Law at Emory University Goizueta Business School.
She is a Goizueta Award for Leadership Recipient Honoree, a BBA Distinguished Educator, and
Faculty-Project Leader of Emory’s Inaugural Arts and Social Justice Fellowship. Students have frequently called her out in Poets&Quants’ favorite professor features, and she is the winner of the 2014 Brit Katz Award – a university-wide award presented by Emory Student Programming Council at graduation.
BACKGROUND
At current institution since what year? 1998
Education: The University of Tennessee B.A. and Harvard Law School J.D.
List of Undergraduate courses you teach: The Legal Environment of Business, International Business Law, Goizueta Scholars Seminar
TELL US ABOUT LIFE AS A BUSINESS SCHOOL PROFESSOR
I knew I wanted to be a business school professor when … I met with Nancy Mansfield at Georgia State University and she said that I would be the perfect fit teaching Business Law.
If I weren’t a business school professor, I’d be … a basketball and track and field coach.
What do you think makes you stand out as a professor? My enthusiasm for the subject matter and my interest in the students.
One word that describes my first time teaching: Frisson
Here’s what I wish someone would’ve told me about being a business school professor: that business school students are the best!
Professor I most admire and why: I admire a lot of Goizueta Business School professors. In particular Wes Longhofer for his inspiration in leading our Business & Society Institute.
TEACHING BUSINESS SCHOOL STUDENTS
What do you enjoy most about teaching business students? Their moxy!
What is most challenging? Remembering that they have lots of activities and that they can’t think about business law ALL the time!
In one word, describe your favorite type of student: the curious student
In one word, describe your least favorite type of student: the blasé student
When it comes to grading, I think students would describe me as … hard, thorough but fair
LIFE OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
What are your hobbies? Opera and gardening
How will you spend your summer? Teaching and then driving out west to Central City, Colorado
Favorite place(s) to vacation: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Favorite book(s): currently Donna Leon mysteries
What is currently your favorite movie and/or show and what is it about the film or program that you enjoy so much? Gosford Park
What is your favorite type of music or artist(s) and why? Opera and country, both tell stories.
THOUGHTS AND REFLECTIONS
If I had my way, the business school of the future would have much more of this … Mastery-based learning ensuring every student has mastered all the skills they need to succeed in their chosen path.
In my opinion, companies and organizations today need to do a better job at … thinking about innovative ways to become more sustainable.
I’m grateful for … my husband Bill and my 3 children
DON’T MISS THE ENTIRE ROSTER OF 2023’S 50 BEST UNDERGRADUATE BUSINESS SCHOOL PROFESSORS.
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