| M. Eric Johnson, Ralph Owen Dean and Bruce D. Henderson Professor of Strategy, opened the day’s ceremonies, saying, “We’ve had so much fun together.”
“I’ve watched you participating in case competitions, running conferences, taking part in immersions, starting companies and helping people in less developed countries through social entrepreneurship,” Johnson said. “Both inside the classroom and outside the classroom, the faculty were right there by your side.”
Commencement speakerMartin S. Craighead (IEMBA’98), Chairman and CEO of Baker Hughes recalled his own early career experiences, telling graduates, “Given what you’ve achieved at Owen, your careers undoubtedly have a strong foundation for success.”
“As you look ahead, stay true to your inner compass,” Craighead said. “Constantly interrogate yourself so that you truly understand those principles, those passions and mandates” that drive you. |
Awards and Recognition for Graduating Students
Nicholas Gordon, Founder’s Medalist
University Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos awarded Nicholas Gordon the Founder’s Medal for the Owen School in a morning ceremony at Alumni Lawn. This award, originally endowed by Cornelius Vanderbilt in 1877, is given to the MBA graduate who achieves the strongest record in personal, professional and academic performance.
Nancy Lea Hyer, Owen’s Associate Dean of Academic Programs, also recognized the winners of the Dean’s Award for Academic Excellence in the MAcc, MAcc-Valuation and MSF programs, as well as members of Beta Gamma Sigma, the International Business Society.
Rebecca Kagle and Amanda Kirkland, Master of Accountancy
Elliot Waterbury, Master of Accountancy, MAcc-Valuation
Edward Ryan, Master of Finance
Awards and Recognition for Faculty
Catalina Lizarralde (MBA ’14), President of the Owen Student Government Association, presented the James A. Webb Excellence in Teaching Award to Richard Willis, Anne Marie and Thomas B. Walker, Jr., Associate Professor of Accounting.
Sal March, Associate Dean of Faculty and Research, announced two recipients of the Faculty Research Productivity Award:
Tae-Youn Park
Professor Park received this award for his substantial recent work on the organizational consequences of compensation, human capital theory and employee-organization relationships.
Richard Willis
Professor Willis received the award for his work in accounting and financial reporting.
Professors Ranga Ramanujam and David Owens received the Dean’s Teaching Awards for contributions to teaching and learning.
Other awards and recognition
At a ceremony held at Owen on Thursday, May 7, several other students were recognized for their achievements:
- Alex Guyton and Michaela Saly (MBA ’15) received the Matt Wigginton Leadership Award, awarded for outstanding performance in finance.
- Daniel Fisher and Catalina Lizarralde (MBA ’15) was presented with the H. Igor Ansoff Award, which recognizes original and creative contributions to the school.
- Ian Crawford (MBA ’15) was awarded the Flournoy A. Coles Jr. Prize in recognition of international studies.
- Dallas Stauffer (MBA ’15) was also chosen to receive the Financial Executives Institute Award for outstanding academic performance in both accounting and finance.
- EIghteen graduating students were presented with the Owen Service Award for outstanding effort and energy in leadership, community involvement and student life. They are:
- Vanessa Annoni-Fuertes (MSF ’15)
- Sarah Berhalter (MBA ’15)
- Shannon Fugina (MBA ’15)
- Caitlin Herrick (MBA ’15)
- Jake Hill (MBA ’15)
- Jamie Ikerd (MBA ’15)
- Andrew Kuykendall (MSF ’15)
- Devin Kunysz (MBA ’15)
- Hirokazu Morokuma (MBA ’15)
- Jameson Norton (MBA ’15)
- Kristen Stieger (MSF ’15)
- Sara Thrane (MBA ’15)
- Austin Tuell (MBA ’15)
- Alex Van Vilet (MBA ’15)
- Eliza Wallace (MAcc ’15)
- Elliot Waterbury (MAcc Val ’15)
- Clayton Williams (MBA ’15)
- Hisahiro Yamaoka (MBA ’15)
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Nashville, Tenn. — Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management celebrated Commencement Day ceremonies for the 252 members of its Class of 2015 today. Gathered in the Vanderbilt Student Recreation Center, 164 students received their Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree; 44 earned a Master of Finance (MSF) degree; and 44 were awarded a Master of Accountancy (MAcc) degree. Several students from the Master of Management in Health Care (MMHC) and the Executive MBA (EMBA) programs who graduated in 2014 also participated in the ceremony.
