An annual program held April 19 celebrated the academic achievements and distinguished service of those involved with the business school.
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The best and brightest of the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business were honored April 19, 2012, in an afternoon awards ceremony that highlighted the achievements of both students and faculty.
The program was attended by family of the honored students; donors whose gifts made several scholarships possible; and most of the business school faculty whose input helped determine the 2012 award recipients.
Academic Achievement Awards
Academic Excellence Award in Accounting
Samuel Upton
This award is given to a senior accounting major who has demonstrated superior academic achievement and possesses potential for intellectual and professional growth.
Challenge and Expect Award in Accounting
Daniel Smeaton
This award is presented to a senior majoring in accounting who has demonstrated excellent academic achievement and growth.
John Kappas Economics Award
Grace Foster
This award goes to the senior economics major who best demonstrates enthusiasm for economics, potential for leadership, and classroom excellence. It is named in honor of the late John Kappas, a 1985 Elon graduate.
NC CPA Exam Award
Whitney Smith
This award is provided by the North Carolina State Board of Certified Public Accountant Examiners to provide a deserving graduating accounting major the opportunity to take the Uniform CPA exam free of charge.
Alpha Kappa Psi Scholarship Key And Award Certificate
Virginia Mayer
This award is presented to the student with the highest GPA among those graduating with a major in the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business.
Walter Hattenbach Award
Brittany Garrett
The senior marketing major with the highest GPA receives this award, which was established by Dr. and Mrs. James W. Johnston in honor of their friend, Walter Hattenbach.
Benjamin Grover Johnston Award
Nana Mensah
This award honors the sophomore who has the highest GPA in the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business. Dr. and Mrs. James W. Johnston established this award in memory of Dr. Johnston’s brother, Benjamin Grover Johnston.
Student Achievement in Economics Award
Simone LaHood
This award is given to a senior economics major who has shown enthusiasm and success in his or her courses as well as promise for future achievement.
Student Achievement in Marketing Award
Allison Norell
This award is given to a senior marketing major who has shown enthusiasm and success in his or her major as well as promise for future achievement.
Student Achievement in Finance Award
Gregory Speake
This award is given to a senior finance major who has shown enthusiasm and success in his or her major as well as promise for future achievement.
Student Achievement in International Business Award
Laura Bondi
This award is given to a senior international business major who has shown enthusiasm and success in his or her major as well as promise for future achievement.
Student Achievement in Management Award
Lindsey Smith
This award is given to a senior management major who has shown enthusiasm and success in his or her major as well as promise for future achievement.
Student Achievement in Entrepreneurship Award
Brian Serow
This award is given to a senior entrepreneurship major who has shown enthusiasm and success in his or her major as well as promise for future achievement.
Love School of Business Responsible Leadership Award
Laura Bondi
Samuel Upton
This award is given to the students who best exemplify behaviors inside and outside the classroom that support our mission of transforming students and transforming businesses.
The Martha and Spencer Love School of Business Dean’s Awards for Faculty
Excellence in Teaching
Linda Poulson
The Martha and Spencer Love School of Business Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching recognizes a faculty member who exemplifies the Elon University teacher-scholar model. This person is outstanding in the classroom, engages students in the learning process, maintains academic rigor, and provides evidence of commitment to the intellectual development of students through mentoring and related activities.
Remarks on Poulson from Scott Buechler, interim dean of the Love School of Business:
“It is said that, ‘A teacher’s job is to take a bunch of live wires and see that they are well-grounded.’ We have many live wires among our students, and many gifted faculty whose job is to both inspire and to ground them. Selecting one from among the many deserving for the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching is no easy task. But this year’s recipient has achieved a level of mastery to which we can all aspire. This faculty member’s teaching evaluations are always among the highest, in the LSB and throughout Elon. This faculty member scores especially high on questions related to ‘critical thinking’ or to ‘supporting assertions with evidence and/or reasoning’ – that grounding that live wires require.
“When commenting on this faculty member’s courses, students write: ‘You really encouraged us to reason out our answers, which I appreciated because it helped me understand the material much better.’ Or, ‘You asked good questions and only accepted precise and supported answers.’ And one of my personal favorites: ‘If every teacher were like [this faculty member], the world would be a whole lot smarter.’
“This faculty member extends her reach beyond the Elon classroom, volunteering her time to support community efforts to enhance financial literacy among the young, a commitment for which she has been recognized by community organizations.”
Excellence in Scholarship
Katy Rouse
The Martha and Spencer Love School of Business Dean’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship recognizes one or more faculty members each year whose scholarly work has a significant intellectual impact in keeping with the Elon scholar-mentor model. Selection factors for this award include publication or presentation of peer-reviewed research in quality outlets and evidence that the faculty member engages in scholarship related activities. These activities might include supporting the scholarly endeavors of colleagues, advancing the school’s reputation, and mentoring students in undergraduate research.
Remarks on Rouse by Scott Buechler, interim dean of the Love School of Business:
“Among the LSB priorities this year has been to define the impact of our scholarship. This year’s recipient of the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship can shed some important light on that issue. The recipient this year had one article published in a top-tier journal in the field and an article accepted in another top tier journal. What do we mean by ‘top tier?’ We can look at acceptance rate; the two journals in question have an acceptance rate of 15 and 13 percent; or we can look at impact factor and journal ranking, both of which identify this scholarship as high quality.
“Other metrics could be used, but as a famous literary character once said, ‘Oh rocks, tell us in plain words.’ The plain words are: this scholarship rocks. Consider just one of these articles, a study of the impact of high school leadership on subsequent educational attainment. The abstract of the article reads in part: ’Universities increasingly emphasize the importance of leadership skills, but budget shortfalls in public high schools threaten the availability of leadership opportunities for many youths . . . This study . . . estimates the causal impact of leadership in high school on educational attainment measured several years later.’ The result? ‘Every estimation method and model specification examined implies that high school leadership has a large, positive impact on post-secondary educational attainment.’
“So what, you might ask? The abstract concludes: ‘This result implies that decisions regarding financial cutbacks for extracurricular activities should not be taken lightly.’
“This scholar’s chair writes: ‘This faculty member leverages their scholarly pursuits to the benefit of their students and the department. They have successfully mentored two honors students . . . using restricted-access databases through the department’s Undergraduate Research Center. One of their research mentees was awarded the prize for the Outstanding Symposium Presentation at the 2011 Duke University Undergraduate Research Symposium.’ The chair goes on to write, ‘Beyond involving others in their scholarship by giving their time and talents, this faculty member has increased the number of databases in our center and added her personal computer to the center to aid in research!’ The chair concludes ‘That’s dedication!’”
Exemplary Service – External
Staff of the Student Professional Development Center
The Martha and Spencer Love School of Business Dean’s Award for Exemplary Service – External recognizes a member of the larger Elon University community who has contributed in meaningful ways to the ongoing welfare and betterment of the LSB. This contribution can take the form of assisting LSB with a specific program or project or providing ongoing support for LSB activities.
Remarks on the SPDC from Scott Buechler, interim dean of the Love School of Business:
“We have all experienced those times when we are left – let’s just say – ‘a little short handed.’ That occurred in the Porter Family Center for Professional Development this year, when we needed to continue to provide excellent internship and career counseling support to LSB students after staff departures left a void in that important office. A team of professionals from across campus came to the assistance of the LSB and LSB students. Word went out: ‘Team, the LSB needs staff in the LSB career services office from 8 to 5 Monday through Friday over the next two months and maybe it was more.’ No sooner had the call gone out than responses came in and before you could say ‘I want a job’ the office was fully covered, appointments were made, students were seen, resumes were reviewed, leads were generated, work was done.
“And while that work was being done, searches resulted in successful hires, the Porter Center was staffed to the level needed, and the support team helped to transition the new staff to their important responsibilities in the Porter Center. A friend in need is a friend indeed, and the LSB found it had a good friend in the Elon Student Professional Development Center – Career Services office.
“This year’s Dean’s Award for Excellence in Service – External goes to that office, and I ask Tom Vecchione (executive director of Career Services) to come forward to receive the award on their behalf. While Tom is coming forward, I want to thank the individuals who were so helpful during this transitional period: Debby Wall, Ashley Pinney, Marianne Brigola, Tom himself, all of whom logged many hours over here in the Porter Center meeting with students and ensuring that excellent career counseling was received. Thanks, too, to the many others in the Elon Career Center who provided support while some of their staff was in the Porter Center. Finally, I also want to recognize Cindy Sweeney, who served so ably as interim internship director while we conducted a search for a permanent person in that position. And our thanks, too, to Associate Provost Connie Book, who was unhesitating in her support of this transitional arrangement.”
Exemplary Service – Faculty
Patty Cox
The Martha and Spencer Love School of Business Dean’s Award for Exemplary Service-Faculty recognizes one or more faculty members each year who has contributed in meaningful ways to the ongoing welfare and betterment of the college, university and profession. This award follows from the Elon servant-leadership model. Selection is based on service in the preceding year plus overall willingness to volunteer one’s time when needed and to carry new ideas to reality.
Remarks on Cox from Scott Buechler, interim dean of the Love School of Business:
“This year’s Dean’s Award for Excellence in Service goes to a member of our faculty who has had a sustained impact on students and student organizations for many years. The Lamba Xi chapter of Beta Alpha Psi, the honorary society for students majoring in accounting, finance, and information systems, has long been a model student organization on campus, earning recognition for innovative programs, community service, student tutoring, food drives, voluntary income tax assistance, competitions and more. The chapter has established the benchmark for Meet and Greets, running for over ten years and growing in participation from a handful of firms and majors to now over 20 firms specializing in accounting and finance and drawing hundreds of students, dressed sharp and with portfolios and resumes in hand.
“Last summer, the chapter was awarded Gold Status at the national meeting, an honor bestowed on only seven chapters worldwide. At that same meeting, an alumnus of the LSB accounting program and member of the LSB Dean’s Board of Advisors was named the Business Professional of the Year. And this spring, the chapter was recognized as Elon University’s SGA Organization of the Year and its faculty advisor was named ‘Faculty Advisor of the Year.’
“Clearly, the many years of building a model student organization have resulted in a national model of excellence. This achievement is a credit to the faculty and students of the department of accounting, with this effort led especially by this year’s recipient of the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Service, Assistant Professor of Accounting Patty Cox.”
Exemplary Service – Staff
Shannon Kimball
The Martha and Spencer Love School of Business Dean’s Award for Exemplary Service-Staff recognizes a staff member who has contributed in meaningful ways to the ongoing welfare and betterment of the LSB. This contribution includes performing duties above and beyond the staff member’s regular functions to support and advance the LSB.
Remarks on Kimball from Scott Buechler, interim dean of the Love School of Business:
“We are fortunate in the LSB to have a strong and creative, patient, and long-suffering team of staff. These are the good people who help coordinate our events, provide support for our searches, hear ‘issues’ from students, or remind us that we need to place our food order with ARAMARK at least one full week in advance. No exceptions. The recipient of the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Service – Staff is a leader among this intrepid group. Need something pulled off of Datatel? She will do it. Need someone to check on airline prices? She will do it. Need to schedule a phone call with a candidate for a faculty position or a staff position? She will do it. Of course, it is always appreciated if you give plenty of advance notice.
“This year was particularly challenging for this individual: she had to coordinate several new faculty and staff searches, which involved managing hundreds of applications, organizing itineraries, and ensuring that the visits went smoothly. She delivered like the pro that she is.
“She also helped to transition the new director of the Business Fellows program into that role. The new director, Dr. Tina Das, says that the recipient’s knowledge and support of the program are invaluable and that she (Das) ‘could not direct without this person!’ In addition to her other responsibilities this year, this person participated in Microsoft workshops, received Red Cross and Notary Public training, and has bravely given Das her cell number.”
2011-12 Endowed Scholarships
The A. Vance Beck, Sr. and Gwendolyn D. Beck Scholarship
Ryan Griggs
Established in honor of Vance and Gwendolyn Beck by his employer (the Belk-Beck group of department stores), the award goes to a rising junior within the business school.
The David O. Bowden Economics Scholarship
Gregory Nantz
Established by David Bowden ’70, the David O. Bowden Economics Scholarship is awarded to a rising senior majoring in economics who has been active in the department and demonstrated potential for future success. At Elon, Mr. Bowden was a double major in business administration and economics. He went on to earn his J.D. from the University of Miami.
The Janie E. Council Scholarship
Victoria Dann
This award was established in 1983 in memory of Janie E. Council by former friends, students and Mr. Robert Sandell II. Mrs. Council began her teaching career at Elon University in 1960 as an associate professor of business education and received the outstanding teaching award from the SGA in 1970. This scholarship is for a rising senior majoring in accounting, business administration, entrepreneurship, finance, international business, management or marketing.
The Doherty Scholars Award
Alexa Carlin
Elizabeth Greenberg
Danielle Kingberg
The Doherty Scholars are the top rising juniors and seniors in the business school’s entrepreneurship major or concentration. They will become the core leaders in the establishment of new entrepreneurial ventures on campus. These scholarships have been established through a generous gift from Edward and Joan Doherty to endow the Doherty Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership. Ed and Joan are the parents of three children including Kerry, a 2007 Elon graduate. Ed is a member of Elon’s Board of Trustees and together with Joan serves on Elon’s Parents Council.
The Love Award for Excellence in Business Leadership
Patrick Brown
The prestigious Love Awards for Excellence in Business Leadership will honor and provide financial support to students who have demonstrated excellence and unusual promise for further development in intellect, imagination, creativity, character, moral courage and leadership. Founded by Martha and Spencer Love in 1947, the Martha and Spencer Love Foundation has generously supported Elon since the 1950s and made a major gift to Elon in 1985 to name the business school.
The Calvert C. and Margaret H. McGregor Scholarship
Alysse Swink
This scholarship was established by Calvert and Audrey McGregor in honor of his parents, C. Calvert and Margaret H. McGregor. McGregor is an associate professor emeritus and the former chair of the accounting department at Elon. This scholarship is for a rising junior or senior accounting student with preference given to students living in Alamance County, the Triad, or North Carolina.
The John and Helene Sparks Scholarship for Business
Nana Mensah
This scholarship was established by John and his wife Helene in 1981. John Sparks graduated from Elon in 1950 with a Bachelor of Arts in business administration. He is a certified public accountant and former faculty member in the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business. This scholarship is for business administration, entrepreneurship, finance, international business, management or marketing majors.
The Frederick K. Gilliam, Sr. Scholarship
David Campbell
Christian True
Andrew Gruninger
This scholarship was established in 1989 in memory of Fred Gilliam, Sr. by the partners in his accounting firm (James Moser, Jr., Maurice Jennings, and John Vernon III). Fred was a 1942 Elon graduate. He participated in orchestra and was part of Kappa Psi Nu. This scholarship is for accounting majors.
The R. Cruse Lewis Master Pools Guild/Love School of Business Endowment Scholarship
John Riley
This scholarship was established in 1998 in honor of Cruse’s retirement from Master Pools Guild. Mr. R. Cruse Lewis is a former employee of Swimout Overflow Components, Inc. and Burlington Industries. He received a Citizen’s Service Award in November 2000 and has served on the Board of Visitors at Elon since 1996. This scholarship is for any business school major.
The Dudley Ray Watson Memorial Scholarship
Jacqueline Evans
This scholarship was established in memory of Dudley Ray Watson by his parents, J. D. and Eunice Watson. Watson served as a member of the business faculty at Elon College from 1960 to 1963. This scholarship is for a rising senior majoring in business administration, entrepreneurship, finance, international business, management or marketing.
Wachovia Bank, N.A. Scholarship
Scott Bishopric
This scholarship was established in 1987 as the First Union Bank Scholarship and later renamed when First Union and Wachovia banks merged. The scholarship provides assistance to students enrolled in the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business.
The Linda Thompson Weavil Endowed Scholarship
Heather Scheel
This scholarship was established in 1992 by Dr. Linda Thompson Weavil and her husband Robert B. Weavil. Linda Thompson Weavil retired from the faculty of the Love School of Business in 2001. This scholarship is for an MBA student or an undergraduate majoring in business administration, entrepreneurship, finance, international business, management or marketing, with preference given to those living in Alamance County, the Triad, or North Carolina.
The John L. Sills, Jr. Scholarship
Andrew Gruninger
This scholarship was established in honor of John L. Sills, Jr. by Riverview Narrow Fabrics in August 1987. Sills was treasurer at Riverview Narrow Fabrics, Inc. He and his wife, Martha, have one son, John L. Sills, III, a 1989 Elon graduate. This scholarship is for rising junior accounting majors.
The David A. Stevens ’81 Internship Scholarship
Maritza Gamboa
Established in 2007 by David and Beth Stevens, this scholarship is awarded to business students to help defray the cost of completing an internship.
The Charles David Smith Endowed Scholarship
Chelsea Helms
Hope Williams
This scholarship was established in memory of Charles D. Smith by his parents Randolph Smith and Joyce Miller, and lifelong friend George Logan. Charles died in a plane crash near Roanoke, Virginia. He graduated from Elon with a Bachelor of Science degree in Banking and Finance in 1997. He was part of the men’s tennis team and a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. This scholarship is for business majors and preference is given to students from Virginia.
The Mills Family Endowed Scholarship
Kyrstin Wallach
Established in 2006 by Willard “Bill” Mills, Jr., and his mother, Helen Mills Gardner, this scholarship is awarded to a deserving student from North Carolina with preference given to a student majoring in business. Bill graduated from Elon in 1969 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
The Mark A. Horsburgh Study Abroad Scholarship
Melissa Kenealy
This award, established in 2007 by the Horsburgh family, provides scholarship assistance to a Business Fellow so that he or she can study abroad. The fund was created in honor of Mark A. Horsburgh, a 2007 Elon graduate and Business Fellow who studied abroad in Australia and Peru.
The Andras Family Award
Justin Wanner
This award was established in 2007 with gifts from the Andras Foundation and David and Anne Andras, parents of Cody Andras ’10. The scholarship is awarded to a rising senior within the business school whose excellent work both inside and outside of the classroom models a pathway to future success in business.
The Samuel L. Burke Endowed Scholarship
Brian Sharnsky
This fund was established in 2008 by Samuel Burke ’89 to provide assistance for deserving accounting majors who are likely to demonstrate the value of their Elon education in their future careers.
The Rose Family Endowed Fund for Engaged Learning in Business
Chelsea Meade
This fund was established by Harry and Carol Rose in 2008 to help defray the cots of a business-related internship experience for any business major.
The Department of Economics Endowed Scholarship
Stanton Sandford
This scholarship was established in 2005 by members of the Department of Economics for an economics major with a record of academic excellence within the major who exhibits a commitment to social responsibility
The James T. Toney Endowment Fund
Kenneth Dunkle
This award was established by members of the Department of Economics in honor of Professor Jim Toney. The scholarship is for economics majors and is to be used for off-campus travel.
The Edward and Rita Galante Endowment for Business Internships
Carlton Logan
This fund was established in 2008 in honor of Edward and Rita Galante by their son Donald and his wife Amanda. The award is to help business majors enjoy the unique educational opportunities associated with internships related to their major.
The Peter L. Tourtellot Endowed Scholarship in Business
Sarah George
This scholarship was established in 2010 by members of the Love School of Business Board of Advisors honoring board member Peter Tourtellot for his seven years of service as board chair. The scholarship is for a deserving undergraduate student within the Love School of Business.
The Troy Family Endowed Scholarship for International Study
Christie Goyette
Established by Samuel P. Troy ’67, this scholarship is for any student in the Love School of Business studying abroad for a semester.
The John & Margaret Sullivan GP ’05 Endowed Fund for Engaged Learning in Economics
Kenneth Dunkle
This fund was established by 2005 Elon graduate Kathleen Niple for economics majors who are participating in one of the five Elon Experiences program areas.
The R. Alston Team III Endowed Scholarship in Business
Lia Webb
This scholarship was established in honor of Alston Team ’07 for students with a strong GPA, a record of contributions to the Love School of Business, and a significant potential for professional success.
The Don S. and Margaret M. Holt Scholarship
Austin Rhoads
This award was established by the estate of Margaret M. Holt in 1988 to provide scholarship assistance to students in the Love School of Business.
The William A. Klopman, Jr. Memorial Scholarship
Scott Bishopric
This award was established in 1992 in memory of William A. Klopman, Jr., a scholar of business and law. It is to provide scholarship assistance to a rising junior or senior in the Love School of Business who demonstrates high academic potential with preference given to students living in Alamance County, the Triad, or North Carolina.
The Park Business Scholarship
Robert Fulton
The scholarship was established in honor of “Joy” K. Park in 1992 to provide assistance for a rising junior or senior in the Love School of Business of racial or ethnic minority. Preference is given to students living in Alamance County, the Triad, or North Carolina.
The Myers Family Endowed Scholarship in Business
Danielle White
The Myers family established this fund in honor of their son, Jay, a 2007 business school graduate, for Love School of Business major who exhibit excellence in leadership, character and intellect.