Jennifer Hecht Receives BVU’s Highest Honor in Teaching, the George Wythe Award
Buena Vista University accounting professor recognized for outstanding teaching, mentorship, and program leadership.
Buena Vista University (BVU) proudly announces Jennifer Hecht as the 39th George Wythe Award recipient, the university’s highest honor for excellence in teaching. The recipient is selected through a competitive process that considers teaching excellence, student impact, and contributions to academic advancement.
Known for her unwavering commitment to student success and academic innovation, Hecht has been a vital member of the BVU faculty since 2016. She holds multiple professional credentials, from Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Management Accountant (CMA) to Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC).
Hecht’s leadership has been instrumental in strengthening BVU’s accounting curriculum, including alignment with the new CPA Evolution guidelines and ensuring the program meets the highest industry standards.
“The most rewarding moments in this career may seem small on the surface, but they carry deep meaning,” Hecht explained. “It’s the quiet thank-you at the end of a semester, the excitement when a student lands a job or internship, or the pride they feel when they pass the CPA exam. Each of these moments is a reminder of the impact we can have as educators.”
Colleagues praised Hecht’s use of interactive teaching and problem-based learning strategies. “Hecht utilizes her own professional experience and that of current industry leaders to encourage students to use critical thinking and problem-solving skills in applying their classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios,” one colleague noted.
The George Wythe Award, named for an early U.S. educator whose students included Thomas Jefferson, John Marshall, James Monroe, and Henry Clay, is endowed through a gift from the late BVU Life Trustees, Drs. Paul and Vivian McCorkle, BVU Class of 1959. The purpose of this award is to enhance the quality of teaching at BVU by allowing the recipients to have experiences that can further their disciplinary knowledge and pedagogy. It includes a $30,000 stipend and a sabbatical to pursue professional development and/or research.
“I am extremely honored to receive the Wythe award,” said Hecht. “This is recognition of all the hard work that goes into supporting and guiding students as they learn and grow.”
During her remarks at the Employee Recognition Ceremony, Hecht offered heartfelt thanks to the McCorkle family for their generosity and for establishing the Wythe Award. “This honor is especially meaningful to me, as Vivian McCorkle was my kindergarten teacher,” she said. “I hope I have made her proud.”
Hecht looks forward to using the award to explore new opportunities that will strengthen the accounting program and deepen her teaching practice, continuing her commitment to shaping the next generation of accounting professionals.