UB School of Management honors outstanding grads in the Class of 2021

By Matthew Biddle

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Ahead of its commencement ceremonies on May 14-15, the University at Buffalo School of Management recognized 15 outstanding graduates for their academic, extracurricular or volunteer accomplishments.

The MBA and Master of Science graduates and the awards they received are:

• Chayan Arora of Delhi, India, the Charles H. Diefendorf Award in Finance, presented to the student who has made the greatest contribution to the finance discipline.

• Rebekah DePugh of Latham, the Drs. John and Arlyn Myers Award, presented to an MBA student who has excelled in the field of marketing.

• Janelle Fore of Queens, 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.

• Anthony Guarnieri of Thornwood, the Master of Science Student Achievement Award, given to an MS student who has demonstrated scholastic excellence and rendered outstanding extracurricular service to the school and university.

• Shikhar Gupta of Gurugram, India, 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 sales and marketing field.

• Roli Nath of Gaziabad, India, the Dr. Marcel and Mrs. Kathryn Vinokur Award to Promote Global Understanding, given to a graduating School of Management student born outside of North America who has contributed to promoting global understanding among MBA students.

• Anders Rosén of Williamsville, the MBA Student Achievement Award, which honors an MBA student who has demonstrated scholastic excellence and rendered outstanding extracurricular service to the school and university.

The Bachelor of Science graduates and the awards they received are:

• Matthew Taboni of Tonawanda, the State University of New York Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence, the highest award for students in the SUNY system. The award honors students who have best demonstrated and been recognized for the integration of academic excellence with accomplishments in leadership, athletics, community service, creative and performing arts, campus involvement or career achievement.

• Brittney Beetcher of Boulder, Colorado; Cameron Giruzzi of Syracuse; and Matthew Paul Johnson of Cape Town, South Africa, all received the Delta Sigma Pi Scholarship Key, presented to the full-time undergraduates who compiled the highest management grade point average of all eligible graduating students.

• Ryan Hughes of Blasdell, the Undergraduate Student Achievement Award, which goes to an undergraduate who has demonstrated scholastic excellence and rendered outstanding extracurricular service to the school and university.

• Katie Kriner of Williamsville, the Eddy Lin Memorial Award, presented to a graduating 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.

• Kriner also received the UB Accounting Association Michael S. Dockery Memorial Senior Award, given to a senior accounting student who has contributed in a superior way to the Institute of Internal Auditors, the accounting profession, fellow students and the school.

• Juilliane Deelo Malibago of Niskayuna, the William H. Wendel Memorial Award for Student Excellence in Human Resources Management, presented to the undergraduate who has made the greatest contribution to the field of HR management.

• An Pham of Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, 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.