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Arthur J. Keown

Pamplin & Alumni Distinguished Professor
Arthur J. Keown
1027 Pamplin (0221)
880 West Campus Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24061

Research: Dr. Keown's research interests include Investments, Corporate Finance, and Operations Research Applications in Finance. He (along with Professor Pinkerton) was the first to use daily transactions to demonstrate price run up prior to merger announcements. He has published his research findings in the top journals in Finance including Journal of Finance and the Journal of Financial Economics. He has also acted as a referee for various academic and business journals.

Dr. Keown is an Alumni Distinguished Professor and the R. B. Pamplin Professor of Finance, currently teaching Introduction to Finance to undergraduate students. In 2001, he was named to be one of 10 Alumni Distinguished Professors on campus and was the first and only Alumni Distinguished Professor in the Pamplin College of Business. He is a member of the Academy of Teaching Excellence. He has won several excellence awards at Virginia Tech including the Certificate of Teaching Excellence (5 times), W.E. Wine Award for Teaching Excellence and the Alumni Teaching Excellence Award. He received the first Pylon Away for Honor from the Student Government Association and has been honored by the State of Virginia by receiving the Outstanding Faculty Award for Excellence in Research, Teaching and Service.

Education & Certification

D.B.A., Indiana University, 1974 M.B.A., University of Michigan, 1971 B.A., Ohio Wesleyan University, 1969

Awards and Honors

  • 2016 Alumni Distinguished Professor
  • 1982 William E. Wine Award

Professional Achievements

Dr. Keown has published 6 college textbooks, 3 of which have been used by over 2 million students around the world. He also served as the co-editor of The Journal of Financial Research for 6 years. He was selected as a Fellow in the Decision Sciences Institute and is a member of various honorary and professional organizations such as the Financial Management Association, American Finance Association, Academy of Financial Services, and Decision Sciences Institute. He served for 6 years as the co-editor of the Financial Management Association's Survey and Synthesis Series, and has also a member of the Board of Directors of the Financial Management Association. In addition, he served two terms as a Director of the Academy of Financial Services, and served as the Vice-President of that association.

Service Related Contributions

Dr. Keown served as the Department Head for 9 years in the 1980s and three years more recently before stepping down in 2014. He also chaired the University Athletic Committee, served as a faculty advisor for SEED, the student run endowment, and also for the Finance Club. In addition, he served for 10 years as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Virginia Tech Services, a not for profit organization set up to operate the University Bookstores, vending services and other auxiliary services. He was an Executive Board Member for the Virginia Tech Athletic Fund and has served as the Representative from the College of Business on the University Council.