The Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business virtually commemorated its 13th annual Honors Day this month, celebrating the outstanding accomplishments of the College’s students, faculty, and staff, as well as the generous support of its benefactors. A full list of honorees, chairs, professorships, scholarships, and fellowships can be viewed in the Honors Day program.
Faculty Awards
Brady Family Awards for Faculty Research Excellence
Recognizing research excellence, including quality, quantity, impact, magnitude of contribution, recognition through the peer review process, and quality journal placement.
Jason Kuang, Professor of Accounting and PhD Coordinator
- Dr. Xi (Jason) Kuang's teaching interests are financial accounting and managerial accounting. His research investigates the effects of economic and psychological factors on decision making in accounting and related business settings. Dr. Kuang has published his research in premier journals in accounting, law, ethics, and economics. Dr. Kuang is serving or has served on the editorial boards of The Accounting Review, Contemporary Accounting Research, Accounting, Organizations and Society, and Behavioral Research in Accounting.
Karthik Ramachandran, Associate Professor, Operations Management
- Karthik Ramachandran is an associate professor of Operations Management. He obtained his PhD in Operations Management and a master’s degree in Operations Research from the University of Texas at Austin. He was also a research associate at the University of California, San Diego. He has a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (Chennai). Before joining Georgia Tech, he taught at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX.
- His areas of interest include new product development, operations strategy, and behavioral operations. His research has appeared in journals such as Management Science, Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, Production & Operations Management and IIE Transactions.
Brady Family Awards for Faculty Teaching Excellence
Recognizing tenure track faculty who inspire and encourage students, engender curiosity, and love of learning, and strive to increase the knowledge, skills, and abilities related to the subject matter.
Tatiana Rudchenko, Lecturer, Operations Management
- Dr. Tatiana Rudchenko, PhD is a full-time lecturer of Operations Management. In the past she taught and conducted research at the Department of Economics and Quantitative Analysis as well as at the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Kennesaw State University
- Over the course of her career, she has taught courses in mathematics, quantitative analysis, statistics, management science, economics, and applied mathematics in economics in both a traditional classroom setting and online. In her classes, she aspires to excite student curiosity in operations management and create an engaging atmosphere for learning. Dr. Rudchenko has received two awards for teaching and student mentoring, six grants, and presented at multiple conferences.
Daniel Weagley, Assistant Professor, Finance
- Dr. Weagley received his PhD in 2014 from the University of Michigan. He holds a bachelor's degree with an emphasis in Finance and Economics from the University of Missouri. His current research interests are on the interaction between financial markets and government agencies, the role of the financial sector in asset pricing, and the investing ability of individual and professional investors. His work has been presented at numerous conferences. He has published in the Journal of Finance. Dr. Weagley teaches Investments at the graduate and undergraduate level.
Linda and Lloyd L. Byars Awards for Faculty Research Excellence
Recognizing non-tenure track faculty who inspire and encourage students, engender curiosity and love of learning, and strive to increase the knowledge, skills, and abilities related to the subject matter.
Jeffrey Hu, Sharon A. and David B. Pearce Professor, IT Management, Business Analytics
- Yu "Jeffrey" Hu is a Sharon A. and David B. Pearce professor in IT Management. He is also a digital fellow at MIT's Initiative on Digital Economy. He is an expert on big data, analytics, digital economy, digital transformation, electronic commerce, social media, consumer behavior, and online advertising. He has served as a co-director of the Business Analytics Center and associate director of the Master of Science in Analytics. His research uses econometric, machine learning, and analytical models to study consumer behaviors in environments such as electronic commerce, omni-channel retailing, offline commerce, social media, mobile app, fintech, and healthcare. He has won research awards such as the inaugural Management Science Best Paper Award in Information Systems, Jay Ross Young Faculty Scholar Award, and John and Mary Willis Young Faculty Scholar Award. He has been a Hesburgh Award Teaching Fellow at Georgia Tech.
Morvarid Rahmani, Assistant Professor, Operations Management
- Morvarid Rahmani is an assistant professor of Operations Management and received her PhD from the UCLA Anderson School of Management. She also received three master’s degrees in Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Economics.
- Dr. Rahmani’s research focus is on innovation and social sustainability. Her research brings together the operational perspective of process improvement and the economic perspective of innovation and collaboration. Her research appeared in Management Science, Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, and Production and Operations Management, and has been recognized by INFORMS TIMES Best Working Paper, INFORMS Service Science Best Paper, and MSOM Best Student Paper competitions. She has received the Brady Family Award for Faculty Teaching Excellence, and the CTL/BP Faculty Teaching Excellence Award at Georgia Tech. She has also been recognized as a Face of Inclusive Excellence at Georgia Tech for her research, teaching, and service activities toward promoting inclusion and equity.
Staff Awards
| Verlander Family Award for Staff Excellence |
|
Recognizing staff members who demonstrate outstanding job performance, going beyond what might be expected and demonstrating high levels of execution in their primary job duties, auxiliary roles, and organizational citizenship. IT Support Team Top row: James Emery, IT support professional, Sheryl George, IT support professional, Anthony Jenkins, IT support professional. Lauren Porter, Corporate Relations Manager, Career Services Lauren Porter joined Scheller College after more than three years at AT&T in Dallas where she participated in their Leadership Development Program after graduating with an MBA from the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia. She completed rotations as a network services manager, a benefits manager, and a learning and development consultant. Lauren entered her MBA with eight years of experience in recruiting and sales. She graduated from the University of Richmond with dual bachelor’s degrees in marketing and music performance. Lauren is responsible for providing career coaching to MBA students in the Full-Time MBA program and managing the relationships for a portfolio of companies seeking to recruit MBAs. |
| Stephen P. Zelnak, Jr. Awards for Staff Excellence |
|
David Alberti, Senior Facilities Manager David Alberti joined the Scheller College of Business in February 2015 as a facility manager. He is responsible for building maintenance, day-to-day operations, construction projects, room/office set-ups, reservations, and events logistics. Additionally, David coordinates contractor services and outside company deliveries. David’s background entails many years of experience in the all-encompassing field of building maintenance and management as well as an abundant background in computer maintenance and IT knowledge. David has a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology and Management. Quashavia Harper, Administrative Professional Quashavia joined the Scheller College of Business in June 2018 as an administrative professional III. Prior to Scheller, she worked as an administrative professional in the Professional Education Department and the Renewable Bioproducts Institute (RBI) at Georgia Tech. As an administrative professional senior, she currently supports the Marketing, Accounting and Strategy & Innovation areas and is responsible for processing both faculty and students travel and reimbursement requests, travel arrangements for external guests, manage recruitment of faculty and PhD students in her areas and other administrative duties. After the introduction of the Workday system, Quashavia was listed as one of Georgia Tech’s Workday Gurus. Quashavia has over 15 years of administrative experience including records/account management, office management, and event management. Quashavia has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and she graduated Summa Cum Laude with her MBA in public administration. She has received the Lifetime Achievement Award from former President Barack Obama and has a list of other degrees and certifications. |
College-wide Awards
| Melvyn P. and Eleanor N. Galin Creativity Award |
|
Recognizing faculty, staff, or students who demonstrate creative thinking or accomplishment. MBA Peer Leadership Committee Katherine Crosby, Ian Gresov, Michelle Rosenbaum, Marcus Budline and Abby Brenller. |
| The Ernest Scheller Jr. Award |
|
Recognizing a faculty or staff member who aspires to service excellence and who acts as an outstanding role model. This award acknowledges and celebrates service excellence among faculty and staff. Mike Smith, Senior Lecturer, IT Management Michael Smith is a senior lecturer in the Information Technology Management area. Smith develops and delivers courses at Georgia Tech in systems analysis and design, project management, information systems, and emerging technologies. In recognition of his teaching and other activities, in Spring 2015, Smith received the CETL Undergraduate Educator Award, which recognizes the outstanding contributions of non-tenure-track faculty. Smith received his PhD in Management from Georgia Tech and a master’s degree in science in Management and a bachelor’s degree in Information and Computer Science from Georgia Tech. Smith's research has appeared in journals such as the Communications of the ACM, Journal of MIS, DATABASE for Advances in Information Systems, and the European Journal of Operational Research. |
Student Awards
| John R. Battle Award for Student Excellence |
|
Recognizing a graduating senior who demonstrates the highest scholastic achievement and leadership on campus and in the community. Christopher Sullivan, BSBA 2021 Christopher (Topher) is concentrating in Finance, and he plans to complete his bachelor’s degree in May with a minor in Engineering and Business through the Denning Technology and Management Program (T&M). After graduation, he will start work as an investment banking analyst in the Technology group at William Blair. Topher is a Scheller College Dean’s Scholarship recipient, and he has experience as an investment banking summer analyst at Evercore, a T&M extern at NCR Corporation, a private equity analyst at Forge Partners, and a wealth management intern at Northwestern Mutual. He has served as a director and a sector head on the Georgia Tech Student Foundation Investments Committee, a director of the Accel Program, the treasurer and a founding member of the Financial Management Association, a leader for the East Atlanta Chapter of Young Life, and the graduate relations chair for Phi Gamma Delta.
|
| Dow Chemical - P.C. McCutcheon Award for Outstanding Student Achievement |
|
Recognizing the student who holds a high cumulative scholastic average in the third-year class, and who demonstrates leadership and service at Georgia Tech and in the greater community. Shivam Desai, BSBA 2022 Shivam’s concentration is in Information Technology Management, and he plans to finish his bachelor’s degree in Fall 2022. He is the vice president of Theta Chi Fraternity and a collegiate member of the Executive Round Table, an organization that allows students to network with professionals from a variety of industries and have open-ended discussions about business topics and current issues occurring in their fields. Shivam has worked at Delta Air Lines as a Unit Load Devices (ULD) control analyst co-op, at Georgia Tech’s Office of Information Technology as an end user support IT intern, and at Queues Co. as a data & strategy analyst. This summer, Shivam will be interning at Honeywell as a data management specialist intern.
|
| Jennifer R. and Charles B. Rewis Awards for Student Excellence in Accounting |
|
Recognizing in-state undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional academic performance in accounting, with preference for students pursuing careers in accounting. Erica Barker, BSBA 2021 Erica’s concentration is in Accounting, and she plans to complete her bachelor’s degree in May 2021. She has worked as a data analyst intern at PSA North America, Inc., an advisory and assurance intern at Cox Enterprises, and an audit intern at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Erica is a campus tour guide and a member of the Society of Women in Business and Honorary Accounting Organization. She has served as the vice president of Finance for Alpha Gamma Delta and as an advisor for Emerging Leaders, a first-year leadership organization specializing in leadership development and community service.
|
| Dean's Award for Evening MBA Student Excellence |
|
Evening MBA students who have demonstrated exceptional integrity, academic merit, and leadership. Elizabeth Bivins, MBA 2021 Liz has served for two years on the Georgia Tech Evening MBA Student (GEMS) Board, first as the vice president of marketing and communications, and now as the board president. While president, she led virtual student engagement efforts for the 400 plus evening student population, working hard to keep students connected throughout the pandemic by hosting multiple virtual program-wide events and socials for incoming cohorts. Liz also participated in the Scheller Curriculum Review Board to help evaluate the curriculum plan for the MBA program. She has participated in three practicums and obtained a Management of Technology certificate. She looks forward to working as an Atlanta-based senior consultant at IBM after graduation. Daniel Diaz-Lugo, MBA 2021 Daniel serves as the vice president of professional development on the Graduate Evening MBA Students (GEMS) Board for the 2020-2021 academic year. In this role, Daniel works hand in hand with the Jones MBA Career Services Center providing input and an avenue for Evening MBA students’ voices to be heard for providing services tailored towards the ever-changing needs of the student body. Additional responsibilities include serving as the GEMS Board steward for several clubs as well as engaging with the overall community. Daniel has also been serving as an Evening MBA ambassador since his first semester in the program, engaging with both prospective and admitted students answering questions and easing the transition back into an academic life. Professionally, Daniel works for Southern Company as the chief of staff for the executive vice president of the Technical and Project Solutions business unit. |
| Dean’s Award for Full-time MBA Student Excellence |
|
Full-time MBA students who have demonstrated exceptional integrity, academic merit, and leadership. Sara Chamberlain, MBA 2021 Sara Chamberlain is a second-year full-time MBA student in the Scheller College of Business. Prior to joining Scheller, she worked in experience design consulting and marketing where she tackled a wide variety of projects including consumer insights, research, advertising, social media, digital optimization, and more for clients across industries. Her undergraduate studies were at the University of Georgia, where she was a double-major in marketing and theatre. During her time at Scheller, Sara has served as the president of the class of 2021 for the Graduate Business Council and worked as a graduate research assistant for the Jones MBA Career Services Center. She is also a member of the Scheller College Strategic Planning Committee, and she serves as the MBA student representative for the Scheller Advisory Board. After graduation, she will be joining McKinsey & Company. Michelle Rosenbaum, MBA 2021 Michelle serves as the head of the Peer Leadership Committee for the Full-time MBA Program, where she leads multiple facets of peer-to-peer engagement and mentorship within the program. During her tenure, she helped to expand the committee from mentor-mentee relationships to meaningful student engagements in the new environment. From creating small group mentor “families” where first-and second-year students have safe opportunities to meet outside of the classroom to expanding the SCHELLx student speaker series aimed at highlighting student passions in a TED-style event. Michelle also serves as an MBA ambassador, student interviewer, and CHARGE fellow, and is an active member in the Marketing and Women in Business clubs. She was a strategy and management intern at Bank of America last summer and will return to the company as a strategy and management associate after graduation. |
PhD Awards
| Ashford Watson Stalnaker Memorial Awards |
|
Recognizing PhD students who contribute exemplary scholarship and innovation to their respective academic disciplines and Scheller College through outstanding research and teaching. Peter Simasek, PhD Candidate, Finance Peter is a PhD candidate in Finance at Scheller College of Business. His research is focused on the impacts of pensions on corporate policies, fixed income markets, and the cross-section of equity returns and has recently been published in the Review of Asset Pricing Studies. He completed his undergraduate education at the University of Virginia's McIntire School of Commerce concentrating in Finance and Accounting. Prior to joining the PhD program at Scheller, he worked in the asset management industry for PIMCO and in fixed income capital markets for Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Yun Young Hur, PhD Candidate, Information Technology Management Yun is a fifth-year PhD candidate in the IT Management area under the supervision of Professor Jeffrey Hu. Yun's recent research interests include heterogeneity of social influence, optimization of healthcare crowdfunding strategies, and effective social advertising. One of her papers on the differential impact of social influence has won a first-place award at INFORMS Social Media Analytics Best Student Paper Contest (2019) and is currently under revision at a major IS journal, Information Systems Research. She also received the CIBER Doctoral Research Award at the Scheller College (2019-2020). |