UB School of Management students honored at commencement

By Matthew Biddle

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Fourteen University at Buffalo School of Management graduates received awards during the school’s graduate and undergraduate commencement ceremonies on May 15 and 16.

The graduates and the awards they received during graduate commencement are:

• Wannakuwatta Waduge S. V. Fernando of Tonawanda, the Sidney N. Kahn Memorial Award for Excellence in Sales and Marketing, presented to the MBA student who has made the greatest contribution to the field of sales and marketing.
• Jessica A. Griffin of Amherst, the William H. Wendel Memorial Award for Student Excellence in Human Resources Management, presented to the graduate student who has made the greatest contribution to the field of human resources management.
• Angela M. Kapsiak of Cheektowaga, the Eddy Lin Memorial Award, presented to a graduate student focusing on an accounting career with a mid-size public accounting firm. The recipient must actively mentor others, exhibit scholastic excellence and a passion for learning, and have a caring and fun attitude.
• Amanda L. Kearns of Wheatfield, the Drs. John and Arlyn Myers Award, presented to an MBA student who has excelled in the field of marketing in the MBA program.
• Victoria Kisekka of Amherst, the PhD Student Achievement Award, presented to a doctoral student who has demonstrated scholastic excellence and rendered outstanding extracurricular service to the school and the university.
• Michelle E. Lund of Buffalo, the MBA Student Achievement Award, presented to an MBA student who has demonstrated scholastic excellence and rendered outstanding extracurricular service to the school and the university.
• Huan C. Nguyen of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, the Charles H. Diefendorf Award in Finance, presented to the student who has made the greatest contribution to the finance discipline.
• Tu T. Nguyen of Buffalo, the Dr. Marcel and Mrs. Kathryn Vinokur Award to Promote Global Understanding, presented to a graduating School of Management student born outside of North America who has contributed to promoting global understanding among MBA students.
• Lauren E. O’Mara of Seneca Falls, the Dr. Jerry and Mrs. Dina Wind Award to Promote International Understanding, presented to a U.S.-born student who has contributed to promoting international understanding among MBA students.
• Swetha Sekhar of Charlotte, N.C., the Master of Science Student Achievement Award, presented to a Master of Science student who has demonstrated scholastic excellence and rendered outstanding extracurricular service to the school and the university.

During undergraduate commencement, the following graduates received awards.

• Ryan J. Hauser of Cheektowaga was honored with several awards:
• The State University of New York Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence, presented to students who have best demonstrated and been recognized for the integration of academic excellence with accomplishments in the areas of leadership, athletics, community service, creative and performing arts, campus involvement or career achievement.
• The Adriana Ilyse Thaler Memorial Senior Award in Marketing, presented to the senior marketing student who has best demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, marketing professionalism and personal motivation.
• The Undergraduate Student Achievement Award, presented to an undergraduate who has demonstrated scholastic excellence and rendered outstanding extracurricular service to the school and the university.
• Hauser was also a co-recipient, with Hiu Man Ho of Amherst and Jerett L. Smith of Niagara Falls, of the Delta Sigma Pi Scholarship Key, presented to full-time undergraduates who compiled the highest management grade point average of all eligible graduating students.
• Chloe D. McKeown of Webster accepted the University at Buffalo Accounting Association Michael S. Dockery Memorial Senior Award, presented to a senior accounting student who has contributed in a superior way to the Institute of Management Accountants and to the accounting profession, fellow students and the School of Management.

The UB School of Management is recognized for its emphasis on real-world learning, community and economic impact, and the global perspective of its faculty, students and alumni. The school has been ranked by Bloomberg Businessweek, the Financial Times, Forbes, U.S. News & World Report and The Wall Street Journal for the quality of its programs and the return on investment it provides its graduates. For more information about the UB School of Management, visit mgt.buffalo.edu.

The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, the largest and most comprehensive campus in the State University of New York. UB’s nearly 30,000 students pursue their academic interests through more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a member of the Association of American Universities.