Dr. Ross Dickens received a Ph.D. in Finance from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, an M.B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a B.S. in Business Administration from Presbyterian College. He worked for First National Bank of S.C. and S.C. National Bank before earning his M.B.A.

Dr. Dickens teaches Business Finance (graduate and undergraduate) and Depository Institutions courses. His research interests are primarily financial institutions and corporate finance (dividend policy).

Dr. Mitchell took his B.S. and M.A. in economics from Clemson University. He took his PhD from George Mason University. Dr. Mitchell teaches Principles of Macroeconomics and Public Finance. His research interests are in the economics of state level public finance, experimental economics, and spatial economics. Prior to earning his PhD, he worked in the insurance industry in both the US and Germany. Prior to teaching at South he taught at St. Mary’s College of California and Washington and Lee University.

Mrs. Javine graduated magna cum laude from the University of Alabama with a B.S. in Business Administration with a concentration in finance. She attended graduate school at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. During her time as a Ph.D. student at UT, she taught International Strategic Management and Investments & Portfolio Management. She was also a finalist for the 2005 College of Business Administration’s Graduate Teaching Assistant.

Her research interests include corporate governance, particularly relating to issues with executive compensation; banking; and behavioral finance. She co-authored a working paper with UT professors Phillip Daves and Michael Ehrhardt entitled, “Do Firms Issue Employee Stock Options to Avoid External Capital Markets?”. Her dissertation is titled “Bank Director and CEO Compensation after Sarbanes-Oxley”.

Mrs. Javine teaches Business Finance, Investments, and Security Analysis & Portfolio Management.

Ms. Pennywell joined the finance faculty in the fall of 2007.  She received her B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Prairie View A&M University and expects to receive her PhD (2008) in Finance from Georgia State University. 

Prior to beginning her academic career, Gwendolyn worked for a number of years as an engineer with Delphi Automotive Systems.  She was involved in various aspects of automotive design and project management for tier one plants in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

Ms. Pennywell teaches Business Finance and Case Problems in Business Finance.   Her research interests include earnings management and corporate governance.