UB School of Management honors exceptional grads from Class of 2024

By Kevin Manne

BUFFALO, N.Y. —  During its commencement ceremonies on May 17, the University at Buffalo School of Management recognized 14 outstanding graduates for their academic, extracurricular or volunteer accomplishments. 

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

• Xinghui Chen of Yilan, China, and Seo Yoon Kang of Busan, South Korea the Paul E. Green Award in Marketing, presented to a School of Management doctoral student who has exemplified excellence in marketing research.
• Kang also received the PhD Student Achievement Award, for demonstrated scholastic excellence and outstanding extracurricular service to the school and university.
• Justin Froese of Wantagh, the Master of Science Student Achievement Award, for demonstrated scholastic excellence and outstanding extracurricular service to the school and university.
• Brennan Gorman of Wading River, 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.
• May Thwe Thwe Khaing of Singapore, and Sayani Talukdar of Kolkata, West Bengal, India, the Charles H. Diefendorf Award in Finance, presented to the student who has made the greatest contribution to the field of finance. 
• Patrick Lageraaen of Northport, the Drs. John and Arlyn Myers Award, presented to an MBA student who has excelled in the field of marketing.
• Lageraaen also received 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.
• Zainul Aabedin Patrawala of Mumbai, Maharashtra, 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.

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

• Donnie Basile of Lockport; Diana Dolan of Buffalo; and Keqing (Kristina) Jiang of Brooklyn; 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. 
• Jiang also received 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.
• Rachel Iavicoli of Garrison, 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.
• Trevor James Samplinksi of Grand Island, 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.
• Sergio Andres Sandoval of Brentwood, the Undergraduate Student Achievement Award, for demonstrated scholastic excellence and outstanding extracurricular service to the school and university.