KU News Release

School of Business bestows awards upon 13 top graduating students

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas School of Business honored 13 students for outstanding academic achievement and service with $1,800 in awards at its graduation ceremony May 16 at the Lied Center.

“These students have achieved great things during their time at the KU School of Business,” said Dean William L. Fuerst. “It is my honor to recognize these outstanding graduates before their family and friends today.”

Awards are:

— The Beta Gamma Sigma Frank T. Stockton Award of $250 is given to the graduating senior member of the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society with the highest grade-point average
— The Dean’s Certificate in International Business honors students for academic achievements in international business
— The Delta Sigma Pi Key Award recognizes the highest grade-point average earned for four years of study in business administration and includes a $250 cash award
— The Positive Code of Conduct (RESPECT) Award is given annually to outstanding students who demonstrate the virtues of the RESPECT Positive Code of Conduct: responsibility, enthusiasm, self-esteem, professional integrity, equity, compassion and teamwork
— The B.L. Trillich Memorial Award of $500 goes to a graduate student who has demonstrated outstanding academic growth in marketing
— The Graduate Business Council Outstanding Member Award of $300 for excellence in leadership and academic studies is chosen each year by student members of the Graduate Business Council to honor the top graduating senior
— The Max E. Fessler Award is presented each year to a graduate student who exhibits interest and proficiency in statistics and operations research and includes a $250 cash award
— The Wall Street Journal Award recognizes a graduate student who displays academic excellence in finance and demonstrates service to the community and the university.

Funds for the B.L. Trillich Memorial Award and Graduate Business Council Outstanding Member Award are managed by KU Endowment, the independent, nonprofit organization serving as the official fundraising and fund-management organization for KU. Founded in 1891, KU Endowment is the first foundation of its kind at a U.S. public university.

Award recipients are listed below by hometown, level in school, parents’ names, previous schools attended and award.

DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Baldwin City 66006
Rachel K. Miles, spring 2008 bachelor’s degree in accounting and business administration, daughter of Deanna Miles; Baldwin High School; Delta Sigma Pi Key Award.

From Lawrence 66044
Eric Robert Rosenfield, spring 2008 master’s degree in business administration; bachelor’s degree from Skidmore College; Graduate Business Council Outstanding Member Award.

From Lawrence 66047
Ken Ying Chang, spring 2008 master's degree in business administration, son of Michael and Shirley Chang; bachelor’s degree in business administration with special study in marketing and communication studies from KU, spring 2005; Lawrence High School; B.L.Trillich Memorial Award.

From Lawrence 66049
Jake G. Messersmith, spring 2008 doctoral degree in business; bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Positive Code of Conduct (RESPECT) Award.

ELLSWORTH COUNTY
From Ellsworth 67439
Ryan J. Peschka, spring 2008 master’s degree in business administration, son of Randy and Nancy Peschka; bachelor’s degree in economics from KU, spring 2003; Ellsworth High School; The Wall Street Journal Award.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Leawood 66209
David Patrick Wise, spring 2008 bachelor’s degree in finance and Spanish, son of Arthur Wise; Blue Valley North High School, Overland Park; Positive Code of Conduct (RESPECT) Award.

From Lenexa 66219
Kimberly L. Elliott, spring 2008 master’s degree in accounting, daughter of Thomas and Pamela Elliott; bachelor’s degree in accounting from KU, summer 2007; Shawnee Mission West High School; Positive Code of Conduct (RESPECT) Award.

From Overland Park 66210
Jeffrey William Daniels, spring 2008 bachelor’s degree in management, son of Rob and Cindy Daniels; Blue Valley North High School; Beta Gamma Sigma Frank T. Stockton
Award.

PAWNEE COUNTY
From Larned 67550
Mark Randall Best, spring 2008 master’s degree in business administration, son of Michael and Elizabeth Best; bachelor’s degree in accounting and business administration from KU, spring 2005; Larned High School; Max E. Fessler Award and Positive Code of Conduct (RESPECT) Award.

SALINE COUNTY
From Salina 67401
Dustin E. Alkire, spring 2008 bachelor’s degree in management, son of Sherril Christy; Salina High School Central; Dean’s Certificate in International Business.

SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Wichita 67205
Matthew T. Schippers, spring 2008 bachelor’s degree in accounting and business admnistration, son of Thomas and Rosann Schippers; Bishop Carroll High School; Delta Sigma Pi Key Award.

TEXAS
From Frisco 75034
Kirk Christopher Smith, spring 2008 bachelor’s degree in finance, son of Barbara Smith; Jesuit College Preparatory School, Dallas, Texas; Positive Code of Conduct (RESPECT) Award.

CHINA
From Shanghai
Linda Wang-Ullmann, spring 2008 bachelor’s degree in management, daughter of SuLan Sun; Dean’s Certificate in International Business.

-30-

The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.