UB School of Management honors exceptional grads from Class of 2023

By Kevin Manne

BUFFALO, N.Y. — During its commencement ceremonies on May 19, the University at Buffalo School of Management recognized 15 outstanding graduates for their academic, extracurricular or volunteer accomplishments.

The MBA, Master of Science and PhD graduates, along with the awards they received, are:

• Malcolm H. Bennink of Jamestown, 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.
• Ryan Coppola of Beekman, the Master of Science Student Achievement Award, for demonstrated scholastic excellence and outstanding extracurricular service to the school and university.
• Coppola also received the Charles H. Diefendorf Award in Finance, presented to the student who has made the greatest contribution to the field of finance.
• Katrina Cropo of Rochester, the Dr. Jerry and Mrs. Dina Wind Award to Promote International Understanding, presented to a U.S.-born student who has promoted international understanding among MBA students.
• Vishweshwaran Gopalakrishnan of Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, the Drs. John and Arlyn Myers Award, presented to an MBA student who has excelled in the field of marketing.
• Sivarama Koti Reddy Mandapati of Vissannapeta, Andhra Pradesh, India, the Dr. Marcel and Mrs. Kathryn Vinokur Award to Promote Global Understanding, given to a graduating student born outside of North America who has promoted global understanding among MBA students.
• Caroline Soh of Buffalo, the MBA Student Achievement Award, for demonstrated scholastic excellence and outstanding extracurricular service to the school and university.

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

• Kamryn Bailey of Victor, the William H. Wendel Memorial Award for Student Excellence in Human Resources Management, presented to the graduating student who has made the greatest contribution to the field of HR management.
• Connor Harris of Latham, 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.
• Gabrielle Lee of Northport, the Adriana Ilyse Thaler Memorial Senior Award in Marketing, presented to senior marketing students who have best demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, marketing professionalism and personal motivation.
• Johann Matzal of Syracuse; Bryce North of Greenfield Center; Riley O’Brien of San Diego, California; Sarah Sauer and Puja Shah of Buffalo; and Zhiyue Xu of Wuxi, Jiangsu, China; 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.
• Sauer also received the State University of New York Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence, the highest award the SUNY system bestows upon its students. The honor recognizes high-achieving students who excel in such areas as leadership, community service, campus involvement or the arts.
• Shah also received the Undergraduate Student Achievement Award, for demonstrated scholastic excellence and outstanding extracurricular service to the school and university.  
• Shah 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.