Gary Cornia, director of the Romney Institute for Public Management and Stewart Grow Professor of Public Management at Brigham Young University, received the 2006 Stephen D. Gold Award from the National Tax Association.
“This is humbling,” Cornia said. “There were and are so many qualified people who deserved this award.”
But Cornia’s face quickly lights up when he talks about his work in taxes. “I love the topic I research,” he said. “Taxes are the most fun thing in the world. I love coming to work.”
Cornia’s work in tax policy and at the Marriott School of Management speaks for itself. From 2002 to 2003, he served as president of the National Tax Association. He continues to serve on several boards and committees such as the Land Reform Training Institute in Taiwan and the Governor’s Tax Review Commission. He is also a fellow of the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy based in Cambridge, Mass.
“Gary Cornia is not only widely respected as an expert on taxation issues but also highly regarded and deeply loved by the faculty, staff and administration of the Marriott School and the university,” said Marriott School Dean Ned Hill. “He is a man of complete integrity and we are fortunate to have a world-class man like him.”
“This is the greatest job in the world,” Cornia said. “I get to work with stimulating, smart young people and elected and appointed public officials. The Marriott School and the university support and encourage my colleagues and me to research and be involved in the community.”
“It’s his lifetime commitment to tax policy and academics in a practical, applied perspective that is so recognized among his colleagues,” says Rex L. Facer, professor of public management. “He was given a standing ovation at the presentation ceremony. We’re very fortunate to have him and his international reputation here.”
Past recipients of the Stephen D. Gold Award include Robert D. Ebel, who was lead economist for the World Bank and is now chief economist for the Washington, D.C. government.
The Romney Institute of Public Management is part of Brigham Young University’s Marriott School of Management. The institute was named in 1998 for three-term Michigan Governor George W. Romney. The Romney Institute offers a master’s degree in public administration through both pre-service and executive programs.
Writer: Camilla Hodge
