Outstanding Undergraduate Student
The School of Business and Management Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award recognizes the accomplishments of an exemplary student. To qualify, a student must be a graduating senior and have a GPA of at least 3.75. The recipient also must display a strong willingness to improve their community by participating in worthwhile campus and local organizations. Through their accomplishments at the University, the individual will show great promise in the business professions. Moreover, their involvement in campus activities will predict that they will actively represent the ideals of the School and the University upon graduation.
Ryan Gwyneth Danielak
Ryan Gwyneth Danielak is completing her accounting major with a 3.98 GPA. She serves as president of the Accounting Society and is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma and Alpha Chi Honors Societies. She also is the recipient of the Financial Executives International Award. In her Honors Thesis, she researched forensic accounting and how it can detect, correct, and prevent the financial exploitation of older adults. Currently, Ryan is a tax intern at Insero & Co. and will continue interning in outsourcing accounting services. After graduation in May, she will go on to earn her master’s degree in accounting at SUNY Brockport, which will lead to her obtaining Certified Public Accountant licensure.
Outstanding Graduate Student
The School of Business and Management Outstanding Graduate Award recognizes the accomplishments of an exemplary student in the Master of Science in Accounting, Master of Business Administration, and Master of Public Administration programs. To qualify, a student must be completing a School of Business and Management graduate degree in the year they receive the award. Besides proving to be an outstanding student by achieving a GPA of at least 3.75, the award recipient will have displayed mastery of the program content, commitment to high ethical standards, and will demonstrate future dedication toward a career in academics, accounting, business, or public service.
Michele K. West
Michele K. West is completing her Master of Science in Accounting with a 3.88 GPA. Previously, she earned two baccalaureate degrees from SUNY Brockport. The first was in psychology (2000) and the second was in accounting, where she was on the President’s List (2020-2022) and graduated summa cum laude (2022). Michele is a member of Phi Theta Kappa – Alpha Theta Iota Chapter and Beta Gamma Sigma Honors Societies. She co-authored a research paper with Sara Woodward in December 2022 entitled, “Social Media Forensic Analysis: Using Advanced Digital Techniques to Detect Fraud.” She received the American Society for Pension Professionals and Actuaries (ASPPA) Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA®) credential, which is the national standard for professionals working with 401(k) retirement plans. Michele is completing her Certified Public Accounting (CPA) Certification, with two exams passed and two remaining. Since 2001, she has worked for Paychex, Inc. as a Strategic Accounts senior account manager, Retirement Services 5500 account manager, and currently as an internal auditor. Her current position provides valuable exposure and networking opportunities to key executives through leading and reporting on operational and financial audits of internal processes and controls. Michele’s goal is to continue advancing her auditing and accounting knowledge to advance her career.
Departmental Scholar Awards
The Departmental Scholar Awards that follow are presented in recognition of outstanding achievement within the academic majors. Although award criteria differ among departments, faculty from each academic major nominate and select the Departmental Scholar based on performance in the classroom, scholarly activity outside the classroom, and commitment to the discipline and/or profession.
| DEPARTMENT | RECIPIENT |
| ACCOUNTING |
Dakota Kaiser |
| BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION |
Autumn Sweitzer |
| FINANCE |
Jason Marincic |
| INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS |
No Recipient |
| MARKETING |
Trevor Best |
| PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION |
Nicole Hall |