Adjunct Faculty, Consultant
Dr. Sutton, who earned his PhD in Business Policy and Strategy when Jindal School was just 14 years old, now serves on the school’s adjunct faculty, teaching Business Law. He’s had a far-ranging career that includes staff legal positions with oil and gas companies as well as Walmart; with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (in Dallas) and a presidential appointment to the Federal Highway Administration (in Washington, D.C.); and as chief of staff at UT Dallas. Of why he enjoys teaching at Jindal School, he says: “I am able to interact with millennials and get many different perspectives on issues as well as have an impact on their education.” Sutton earned his law degree from University of Michigan Law School.
What is a professional highlight of your career, either where you currently work or in the past?
Completing my education in Business Policy and Strategy provided the credentials I needed for a presidential appointment by President Bill Clinton as associate administrator for policy with the Federal Highway Administration.
Why did you come to UT Dallas?
Initially, I was hired in 1981 to teach Business Law at UT Dallas and was encouraged by the department head to pursue my PhD. My participation in the program was historic as I was the first African-American university-wide to pursue a doctorate. It paved the way for others as well as helped pave the way for my career opportunities.
What is your favorite UT Dallas memory?
Having both my PhD and law degree, I was afforded the opportunity to return to UTD as the university’s chief of staff and a faculty member, following my appointment in D.C. I was able to work with then-UT Dallas President Dr. Franklyn G. Jenifer, who was university president for 10 years, beginning in 1994. The doctorate I earned here afforded me the respect of faculty peers and my role in administration gave me credentials on that front as well.
Did a UT Dallas professor inspire you? Who was that and how was that person inspirational?
David Ford, an African-American professor, was a role model for me in earning my PhD. (Dr. Ford retired just last year after teaching at UT Dallas for 42 years.) Richard Harrison encouraged me and assisted me in define the scope and parameters of my dissertation. (Dr. Harrison is now associate professor at Jindal School in the Organizations, Strategy and International Management area.)
You and your wife, Beverly, are the initial endowment donors to the Jindal Young Scholars Program. Why did you pick that program for your donation?
I was very fortunate to have parents who were very supportive of education as well as a role model in David Ford. I saw an opportunity to support an underserved population of students with the Jindal Young Scholars Program. The program aligns with my passions and gives me an opportunity to interact with millennials, the next group of change-makers in society.
What is your role at Wiley College? (Wiley College is a liberal arts college in Marshall, TX, affiliated with the United Methodist church.)
I’ve been chairman of the college’s Board of Trustees since 2010 and have served on the board since 2007. Recently, I had the honor to preside over the selection of Dr. Herman J. Felton Jr. as the 17th president and CEO of Wiley, replacing President Haywood Strickland, who retires this summer.
What advice do you have for college students hoping to succeed professionally?
I tell my students that they have to have high integrity. They have to show follow through, work well with others and have the highest work ethic. If one can combine those with a degree from UTD, no one will question their credentials. In addition, working effectively on a team will set them apart.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I enjoy cooking as I find it very therapeutic. And I enjoy traveling the world with my wife.
