Wearing the Honors: Student Award Ceremonies
By Caroline Mackey
Excitement filled Flagler Court on Wednesday morning as the University of Virginia Darden School of Business community gathered for the annual fall awards ceremony, which celebrates the remarkable achievements of Second Year students.
Professor Melissa Thomas-Hunt during opening remarks.
“It’s one of my favorite times to gather, as we celebrate things we hold dear as a community,” said Professor Melissa Thomas-Hunt, senior associate dean for the residential Full-Time MBA program, as she warmly welcomed staff, faculty and students.
The celebrations commenced with Professor Kim Whitler presenting the prestigious G. Robert Strauss Marketing Award to Giorgi Rose Ben-Meir. Established in 1989 by the Class of 1987 in memory of a classmate, this partial tuition scholarship recognizes innovative thinking, unique problem-solving and compassion for fellow students through exceptional contributions to marketing concepts.
Professor Kim Whitler and Giorgi Rose Ben-Meir.
Professor Doug Thomas, director of the Sands Institute for Lifelong Learning, presented the Daniels Family Scholarship to Tingting Su, an outstanding student pursuing a general management career with an interest in technology management. This partial tuition scholarship was funded by a gift from William K. “Dan” Daniel (MBA ’91).
Tingting Su receiving the the Daniels Family Scholarship.
Thomas-Hunt then awarded the Class of 1986 Peter J. Niehaus Scholarship to Mmabila Deborah Azika and Edward Joseph Kelly. This partial tuition scholarship, established in honor of a fallen classmate, celebrates students who promote a supportive and relaxed atmosphere while achieving academic excellence.
Mmabila Deborah Azika and Edward Joseph Kelly receiving the Class of 1986 Peter J. Niehaus Scholarship.
The McGowan Fellowship — established by the William G. McGowan Charitable Fund at Darden in 2019 — was awarded to Edwin Anthony Ball, recognizing his top-tier academic standing, leadership experiences, and commitment to community engagement with a full-tuition scholarship.
Edwin Anthony Ball receiving the McGowan Fellowship.
Kawal Nain Kaur Kohli received the Stamps Leadership Fellowship, a full tuition scholarship. Established by E. Roe Stamps IV and his late wife, Penelope “Penny” Stamps, in 2006, this honor supports extraordinary educational opportunities for students who demonstrate remarkable leadership.
Kawal Nain Kaur Kohli receiving the Stamps Leadership Fellowship.
In addition, the faculty chose a group of students who demonstrated academic excellence in the First Year program while maintaining a responsible competitive spirit to receive the William Michael Shermet Award. This was presented to the following students:
- Mmabila Deborah Azika
- Alexandria Cross
- Scott Mathes Kennedy
- Elizabeth Lane Brandon
- Matthew Gerard Cunningham
- Lauren Rymer Mandaville
- Wesley Gregory Brown
- Benjamin Daveron Forde
- Ellen Gault Marsh
- Taylor Stinson Chorazyczewski
- Jeremy Lynn Halversen
- Claudia Thorne Sherman
- Custis Lansing Coleman
- Spencer Thomas Holmgren
- Marina Blair Stam
Group photo with all awards.
To close the program, Elizabeth Lane Brandon received the Samuel Forrest Hyde Memorial Fellowship, a partial tuition scholarship. This award, considered Darden’s highest student honor, recognizes a Second Year student who has excelled in various areas, including academics, community building and marketing.
Elizabeth Brandon receiving the Samuel Forrest Hyde Memorial Fellowship.
Executive MBAs Honored at June Award Ceremony
In June, the Executive MBA Class of 2025 mid-program celebration and awards took place at Sands Family Grounds in Rosslyn, Virginia.
The C.Stewart Sheppard Distinguished Service Award was given to Scott Timmester, Samuel McGhee, Gabrielle Carter and Christopher Mai.
The Marian Moore Executive Leadership Award was then presented to Jimmy Anthony.
From left, Jimmy Anthony, Gabrielle Carter, Yael Grushka-Cockayne, Christopher Mai, Scott Timmester, Samuel McGhee.
Part-Time MBAs Honored at March Ceremony
The Part-Time MBA Class of 2025 weeklong Residency II occurred in March in Charlottesville. The Sheppard Award was received by Aman Dar and Zoe Chan.
From left, Yael Grushka-Cockayne, Zoe Chan, Aman Dar.
The University of Virginia Darden School of Business prepares responsible global leaders through unparalleled transformational learning experiences. Darden’s graduate degree programs (MBA, MSBA and Ph.D.) and Executive Education & Lifelong Learning programs offered by the Darden School Foundation set the stage for a lifetime of career advancement and impact. Darden’s top-ranked faculty, renowned for teaching excellence, inspires and shapes modern business leadership worldwide through research, thought leadership and business publishing. Darden has Grounds in Charlottesville, Virginia, and the Washington, D.C., area and a global community that includes 18,000 alumni in 90 countries. Darden was established in 1955 at the University of Virginia, a top public university founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819 in Charlottesville, Virginia.
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Darden School of Business
University of Virginia
MitchellM@darden.virginia.edu
