Dr. Arup Varma, one of the first Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations (SMLR) Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management (IRHR) degree holders who graduated in 1996, is being honored this year as the recipient of XLRI – Xavier School of Management’s Distinguished Alumnus Award (Academician). Arup will receive the award during the annual 
XLRI Homecoming on December 2-3, 2017 in India.
Arup credits his SMLR education with preparing him for a successful career. He said:
As I reflect on my two decades as an academician, I am reminded of several events and people related to SMLR that helped shape who I am today. My conversation with Barbara Lee when I first expressed my interest in the new Ph.D. program. The call one afternoon in April 1990 from Angelo DeNisi letting me know that I had been admitted! My long conversations (often, debates, really) with Charles Fay. Sitting in on Dick Beatty's classes to learn how to teach graduate level courses. Chuck Nanry, Gail Allen, and Claudia Meer helping me with data collection for my doctoral dissertation, as well as helping me out with summer jobs! And, of course Susan Jackson and Randall Schuler who have been great friends and terrific mentors over the years. I realize that many of the folks I have named have since moved on, and I am sure I have missed naming many others who helped me become who I am.
In his career, Dr. Varma has published over 50 articles in leading refereed journals such as the Academy of Management Journal, Personnel Psychology, the Journal of Applied Psychology, and the International Journal of Human Resource Management. He has also presented over 100 refereed research papers at leading international conferences and authored 40 book chapters.
His current research focuses on expatriate categorization and adjustment issues and is widely cited. He is a professor at Loyola University Chicago’s Quinlan School of Business. In addition, he has been recognized by his colleagues and students with multiple awards for teaching, research, and service.
The Distinguished Alumnus Awards are given each year to alumni who have made a significant contribution in their field of expertise. Each year nominations are sought from XLRI alumni inviting them to nominate fellow alumni whom they feel should be recognized and felicitated. A selection committee then decides on the final recipients.
“There is no doubt in my mind that SMLR is what made me who I am,” Arup said. “And probably many more graduates who are excelling in the academic arena around the world!”
Learn more about Rutgers SMLR’s Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management (IRHR) program.
