Mays Honors Outstanding Doctoral Alumni in Award Ceremony
February 2, 2026
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Mays Business School
Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School recognized Dr. Michael Drake as the recipient of the Mays Outstanding Doctoral Alumni Award during a special event on January 30 that included a reception and a research discussion highlighting Drake’s scholarly contributions and career impact.
The Mays Outstanding Doctoral Alumni Award is a prestigious distinction that celebrates Mays Ph.D. graduates who have demonstrated sustained excellence in research, academia, and leadership while embodying the Texas A&M Core Values.
“Mike exemplifies the very best of what the Mays Outstanding Doctoral Alumni Award is supposed to represent. He is an internationally renowned scholar with an incredible record of impactful research. He has reshaped the literature in his field and opened new lines of inquiry, he is extraordinarily gifted in his ability to connect with students in a classroom, and he is a selfless and devoted mentor to students and junior colleagues. Mike has elevated every institution he has served because he personifies the Core Values that define Texas A&M. We are honored to recognize his contributions to higher education and to celebrate the impact he has had on scholars, students, and professionals alike.”
A graduate of the doctoral program in Mays’ James Benjamin Department of Accounting, Drake currently serves as associate dean of faculty and K. Fred Skousen Professor of Accounting in the BYU Marriott School of Business, where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He teaches introductory accounting courses to undergraduate and executive MBA students and plays a key leadership role within the school.
“Dr. Drake is an inspiration for our current doctoral students. His publications in top-tier journals and his commitment to mentoring emerging scholars demonstrate the sustained scholarly excellence we celebrate with this award,” said Dr. Rogelio Oliva, associate dean for research and scholarship at Mays Business School. “We are proud to recognize his sustained impact on the field and to welcome him back to Mays to engage with our faculty and doctoral students.”
Drake’s research focuses on how financial information influences capital markets and decision-making. His work has been published in leading academic journals, including the Journal of Accounting Research, Journal of Accounting and Economics, The Accounting Review, and Management Science. Prior to joining BYU Marriott in 2011, Drake served on the faculty at The Ohio State University’s Fisher College of Business and worked as an auditor for Arthur Andersen and Ernst & Young.
In addition to his research accomplishments, Drake is a dedicated educator and mentor. He has designed and taught courses in financial accounting and financial statement analysis for undergraduate, master’s, and executive-level students. He is also actively involved in mentoring doctoral students, serving on dissertation committees, and supporting emerging scholars as they develop their research agendas.
“I am deeply honored to receive the Mays Outstanding Doctoral Alumni Award,” Drake said. “My doctoral training at Mays Business School shaped how I approach research, teaching, and service, and the faculty mentorship I received continues to influence my work today. It is especially meaningful to return to Mays to share my research and connect with the community that played such a formative role in my academic journey.”
The event brought together faculty, doctoral students, and members of the Mays community for the award presentation, a reception, and a research discussion featuring Drake’s work. This award ceremony underscored Mays Business School’s commitment to celebrating alumni achievements and fostering continued engagement between distinguished scholars and the next generation of researchers.
