With a Ph.D. in management from Arizona State University, he is able to find many ways to incorporate music into his lessons. As featured in BusinessWeek, Neck has won numer-ous awards, with his most recent being the students' favorite professor. This award has led him to become a YouTube star.
Q: You were recently featured in BusinessWeek for being the students' favorite professor. How does that make you feel?
A: On one hand, this was mind boggling and exhilarating. On the other hand, this was confusing. Let me explain. From the positive standpoint, this was really incredible. I mean, to be named one of the top 20 business professors in the country is hum- bling. The credit really belongs to my students, who encourage me to teach in innovative ways. A proverb reads, "Find a job you love and you will never have to work another day in your life." I truly feel I have found such a job. The negative side of this award in my opinion involves the Virginia Tech administration. How can I be viewed by a seminal business publica- tion as one of the 20 best professors in the country while at the same time my own university has denied me promotion to full professor two years in a row? This BusinessWeek award validates what I have felt over the past two years: that my record of teaching and research warrants my promotion to full professor.
Q: How does it feel to be a YouTube star?
A: I have gotten more attention from this than any book I've ever written. I've received e-mails from across the world from people saying they enjoyed my YouTube video. I believe, at last count, over 10,000 people have viewed this video. It feels really neat that something I did in class at Virginia Tech has been watched by so many. I like the fact that it brings attention to Tech students. I have the highest esteem for them.
Q: What sets you aside from all the other professors that makes you stand out in the students' minds?
A: I don't know what sets me apart because I don't spend much time thinking about what other professors are doing. I believe I have to be myself in the classroom and do what I feel will result in a good class each class period. If I try to be someone else, it won't work. I first try to make class fun and interest- ing for me. If I can do that, I will be into the class and then I feel the students will feed on my energy and interest.
Q: How do you incorporate music into your lessons?
A: I play music before class, dur- ing the break, and after class to bring energy to the room. I also use music- related exercises to get the students to think about how the music relates to themselves and/or a particular man- agement topic. I also have a band and/or singing groups come perform in my class each semester to illustrate teamwork.
Q: By doing so, how do you believe you benefits the students?
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