Michael D. Schnur is the 2013 recipient of the C. Raine Sydnor Sr. Professorship Award for Teaching Excellence in Business. He also received the award in 2006.
A former police officer, Schnur (pictured far right with SOBE Dean Joe Turek) began teaching at University of Lynchburg in 1995 following a position at Dowling College Graduate School in New York City. He has completed several courses in the economics doctoral program at Fordham University (New York). He earned his MBA in finance and investments in 1986 at C.W. Post College (New York) and his BS in management at Adelphi University (New York).
Prior to entering academia, he was a member of the New York Nassau County Police Department from 1973 to 1993. Following his initial street patrol duties, he held the positions of financial investigator assigned to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (D.E.A.) Task Force in New York City and a police academy instructor. He concluded his career as a bureau commanding officer and earned financial investigator certification from the US D.E.A. He also received his series 7 and 63 licenses and was a stockbroker at Vanderbilt Securities, New York, assigned to limited partnerships.
Schnur is the faculty advisor for the LC Economics/Investment Club, a co-faculty advisor for Delta Sigma Pi Business Fraternity, and the faculty advisor to the LC club lacrosse team, which was national champion in 2005 and 2011. He is also a member of the LC Retention Committee.
The annual award is supported by the C. Raine Sydnor Sr. Endowment in the School of Business and Economics, which was established by numerous friends and family members to recognize master teachers who make a difference in business education.
C. Raine Sydnor Sr., a distinguished alumnus, was a founder of the College’s Board of Overseers, on which he served from 1965 until his death in 1983. He received the T. Gibson Hobbs Memorial Award in 1961 for his contributions to the church, the community, and to the College. He was a leader in Westminster Presbyterian Church and actively supported numerous civic projects. As president of James A. Scott Insurance, he led the company to a position of prominence as one of the most respected businesses in the South.
