Fall 2026
Marriott Alumni Magazine articles
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Know Thy Employees: How to Lead in an Age of Hidden Trauma
A sudden drop in performance isn’t always a motivation problem. Trauma-informed leaders know what to look for and which practices best support employee healing.
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Shaping Our Future
As BYU’s sesquicentennial wraps, the focus now shifts to what’s in store for BYU Marriott.
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The Measure of a Leader
Two convocation speakers share stories of when ambition and faith met real-world challenges.
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Sticking with It
Finance alum Justin Hales built his Wall Street career on resilience, grit, and a refusal to quit.
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Three Questions With Alvan Williamson
“My wife has accused me of being married to the Tanner Building,” jokes Alvan Williamson, who recently handed over his keys after 20 years as a building-care specialist at BYU Marriott.
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50 Years of Marriott Alumni Magazine
To commemorate Marriott Alumni Magazine's golden anniversary, the magazine has undergone a redesign with expanded departments and a refreshed look. In honor of our makeover and our 50th anniversary, here’s a peek at some behind-the-scenes stats.
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Finding New Ventures
Jennifer Scherbel began her BYU Marriott experience with one goal: to learn all she could in order to start a business. “I come from an entrepreneurial family,” she explains. “I had a few business ideas and just felt the itch.”
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When Creativity Takes Flight
Jason Boyd knows his official job title is a mouthful, and explaining his responsibilities is equally verbose. But despite the wordiness of his job description, his work as a creative leader speaks for itself.
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Funny Business
We asked readers to share an unexpected or unforgettable memory from their days as BYU Marriott students. Here are some of our favorite stories.
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School and Alumni News published in the fall 2026 edition
Click to see a directory of all Class Notes (opens in a new tab) published in each edition of Marriott Alumni Magazine.
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Progression at Every Altitude
Brian Adams watched military jets fly over his childhood home in Littleton, Colorado, and dreamed about becoming a pilot. And after committing to the Brigham Young University Air Force ROTC program, Adams says he learned to see new and uncomfortable situations as opportunities to grow.
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BYU Marriott Employees Receive Awards at BYU’s 2026 University Conference
At the 2026 BYU University Conference, four BYU Marriott School of Business employees received awards in recognition of their service and contributions across campus.
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Stepping Up to the Plate to Carry On a Father’s Legacy
Kore Baseball, the company their late father founded, is where the Charlie and Will Koelliker feel their father's love. Now, with support from the Rollins Center of Technology and Entrepreneurship at the BYU Marriott School of Business, Charlie says they are continuing their father’s legacy and finding purpose in pain as they grow their business.
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BYU Marriott Names Isaac Smith as New Department Chair of Management
Brigitte Madrian, dean of the BYU Marriott School of Business, has announced the appointment of Isaac Smith, associate professor of organizational behavior and human resources, as the next chair of the Department of Management. Smith will succeed Paul Godfrey, who will return to full-time teaching and research, on July 1, 2026.
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BYU Marriott Names Trent Williams as New Director of the Rollins Center
BYU Marriott School of Business dean Brigitte C. Madrian has announced entrepreneurship professor Trent Williams as the next director of the Rollins Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology effective September 8, 2026. He replaces Mike Hendron who served as the center’s director since 2023 and has served in an administrative role with the center since 2017.
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Communities of Compassion
For BYU student Katie Young, the biggest lesson she learned from helping run the Community Compassion Collective was simple: social networks matter.
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Overcoming the Odds
Michael Liu has learned that when he prays for opportunities, God often responds with challenges—but for Liu, those challenges are the answer.
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Humanizing Business
At the Rollins Center for Entrepreneurship and Technology, student entrepreneurs say entrepreneurship becomes more fulfilling as they work to develop themselves and build relationships.
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Following God's Business Plan
Looking back on his entrepreneurial and academic journey, Jimmy Valverde says that God has led him, step-by-step, to opportunities greater than he envisioned for himself.
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