WASHINGTON — Barry Gerhart, Ph.D., was awarded the 2018 Michael R. Losey Excellence in Human Resource Research Award, and Joshua Hoffmann was granted the 2018 Susan R. Meisinger Fellowship for Graduate Study in HR at the Society for Human Resource Management's (SHRM) annual Volunteer Leaders' Summit.
Both awards were presented by the SHRM Foundation as about 850 human resource professionals who lead SHRM's chapters and state councils gathered for this year's summit.
Michael R. Losey Excellence in Human Resource Research Award
This year's recipient, Barry Gerhart, is the Bruce R. Ellig Distinguished Chair in Pay and Organizational Effectiveness and the interim Albert O. Nicholas Dean at the Wisconsin School of Business at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. He formerly served as senior associate dean at the school.
The award, which comes with a $50,000 prize, recognizes HR academics or experts whose research significantly advances the field of HR management. It also helps fund future contributions to the field.
Gerhart previously served as chair of the Department of Human Resource Studies at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., and area coordinator for organization studies at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn.
He received his B.S. in psychology from Bowling Green State University and his Ph.D. in industrial relations from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Gerhart is widely respected for his research, which includes work on compensation, human resource strategy and international human resources.
His research has been published in a variety of journals, and he has co-authored several books.
"I have had the good fortune to work with wonderful colleagues on projects in a number of areas of human resources," Gerhart said. "However, I would say that the area of compensation — pay-for-performance issues — has been a major focus throughout my career."
Gerhart says his goal is to conduct research about human resources "that is rigorous and that can inform and improve organizations."
For more information about the award, visit www.shrm.org/about/awards/pages/loseyaward.aspx.
Susan R. Meisinger Fellowship for Graduate Study in HR
The 2018 Meisinger fellowship winner, Joshua Hoffmann, is pursuing two graduate degrees: a master's degree in human resources and an MBA from Utah State University's Jon M. Huntsman School of Business in Logan, Utah.
Hoffmann has a Bachelor of Science degree in English with a concentration in technical writing from Utah Valley University-Orem.
He began his human resources career in 2005 in Richmond, Va. He worked as an unemployment specialist helping individuals develop skills needed to gain employment. After a successful HR career, he chose to relocate his family to Utah to attend graduate school.
"As a husband and father of four young children, it was a daunting and daring decision to leave a successful career," Hoffmann said. "I felt this decision would further my development, enhance my capabilities to contribute to the HR field and open the door to greater opportunities to provide for my family."
Upon completion of graduate school, he will join USAA's human resources team in San Antonio.
He said he plans to use his knowledge and experience to help develop others, lead teams, advance HR, serve his community through volunteer work and support the SHRM Foundation.
"Receiving the fellowship is significant because it enables me to more fully focus on learning and applying HR concepts that are critical to the future of the field and propels me in my efforts to continuously learn and develop while providing for my family," Hoffmann said.
For more information about the fellowship, visit www.shrm.org/about-shrm/Pages/meisinger.aspx.
Media: For more information, please contact Sundra Hominik of SHRM Public Affairs at 703-535-6273 and Sundra.Hominik@shrm.org or Kate Kennedy at 703-535-6260 and Kate.Kennedy@shrm.org.
About the SHRM Foundation
The SHRM Foundation was founded in 1966 as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit affiliate of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). The SHRM Foundation advances global HR knowledge and practice by providing thought leadership and educational support, and by sponsoring, funding and driving the adoption of cutting-edge, actionable and evidence-based research. Visit www.shrm.org/Foundation