Above and beyond.

These are words that students and faculty alike use to describe Finance Professor Jonathan Scott’s level of commitment in the many roles he plays in the Fox School of Business. As a teacher, as a mentor and academic advisor, as a colleague and as a finance scholar, Scott is consistently praised for his tireless work ethic and dedication to advancing understanding of his discipline.

In recognition of his outstanding efforts, he has been named one of Temple’s 2010 Great Teachers.

Scott’s drive becomes evident to many of his students even before their first classroom interaction. Known for his effective use of educational technology, he records and posts web videos that help solidify students understanding of the material prior to each lecture. He created complete sets of teaching notes and web videos that are used in the senior capstone course.

These are just a few examples of how Scott’s efforts exceed the norm for professorial preparation.

Scott has also introduced technology into his classes in other ways. Each class session is recorded via video and digital notes so that students can review the classroom content while preparing for the next session. He also uses Skype and other communications tools to remain connected to students traveling abroad or meeting remotely, and — most important for today’s students — is known to respond quickly to e-mail.

But Scott’s role as an innovator isn’t limited to new teaching methodologies. He also is at the forefront in developing and delivering new undergraduate and graduate courses that provide additional insight into the finance discipline. And in his research and scholarship, he continues to push the boundaries of knowledge through the many articles he has had published in high-level scholarly journals.

Scott received both his master’s and doctoral degrees from Purdue University, and went on to teach at Southern Methodist University.

After five years in the classroom, he joined the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, where he served as senior vice president and chief financial officer. He joined the Fox School of Business as associate dean in 1991, and served for nearly two years as acting dean beginning in 1995.

In an age when corporate scandals and market turmoil have moved financial news from the business pages to the front page, Scott makes extra effort to infuse classroom discussions with real world examples. He begins each class with a review of current events, and in several classes draws on his extensive connections to offer finance practitioners as guest speakers, exposing students to real-life players in the financial arena.

Scott is as much a presence in students’ lives outside the classroom as in. He serves as advisor to the Temple University Investment Association and managing director of the William C. Dunkelberg Owl Fund. He has taught in the Fox Honors Program for the past 15 years, and as its academic director since Fall 2008 has guided the first complete honors overhaul since the program’s founding.

“In each of these capacities, Jon meets and advises undergraduate students, from our very best to those struggling to succeed,” said Finance Department Chair Kenneth Kopecky. “His commitment to undergraduate education is far above the call of duty.”

But Scott’s reach goes beyond his work with college students. Last summer, he taught 36 rising juniors as part of the Philadelphia Futures summer academic enrichment program. During the four-week program, the students learned how to evaluate companies for consideration by the Owl Fund, played Temple Futures Jeopardy, and even learned to say “boo yah” while watching Jim Cramer’s "Mad Money" investment show. By the end of the program, each of the seven teams was confident enough to make a stock pitch to an audience of Owl Fund members, parents and family, as well as their business mentors.

So why does Scott work so hard?

“Maybe it’s because, if I’m not busy I get bored really quickly,” said Scott. “But if you really enjoy what you’re doing, as I do, maybe it’s not that four letter word, ‘work.’ You don’t think as much about the opportunity cost.”

Scott has earned the respect and admiration of students at all levels. Despite his great facility in the use of technology, he still relies on the most effective teaching tool of all: close professor-student relationships.

“I still try to make learning personal,” said Scott. “It’s as simple as learning names and hometowns by the third week of the semester, or providing encouragement for those who struggle, or engaging in impromptu discussions in the hallways between classes. This personal touch — which costs virtually nothing to provide — can be a catalyst for students to be fully engaged in their class work.”

And it’s an approach that has touched Fox School students for years.

“What I respect most about Dr. Scott is his ability to inspire students and give them the confidence to succeed,” said 2009 alumna Carolyn Bachman. “He goes above and beyond his responsibilities as a teacher and truly has the ability to inspire.”