Financial investing, modeling and analysis have paid early dividends for four second-year MBA finance students who were awarded the 2007 Stoddard Prize.
Selected by a committee of faculty members for showing exceptional academic performance and making significant contributions to the MBA program, each student received a $3,000 cash prize. The 2007 Stoddard Scholars are McKay Colton, from Hurricane, Utah; Tyler Jones, from Mesa, Ariz.; Jason Larsen, from Sandy, Utah; and Glenn White, from Orem, Utah.
“I'm am humbled by the generosity of so many to Brigham Young University, the Marriott School and the MBA program in particular,” White says. “This recognition increases a sense of responsibility in representing the MBA program well.”
The announcement of the award surprised each of the students who didn’t know they were being considered. However, each admits the award is a pleasant surprise. “I am very excited,” Larsen says. “I think the best part is just validating that I’ve done well in the finance program.”
Grant McQueen, a BYU professor of finance who helped choose the recipients, describes some of the factors that go into the decision. “We look specifically at academic performance in finance classes as well as contributions to the finance program,” McQueen says. “We’ve been acquainted with these students for almost two years as they’ve been our TAs, run our clubs and been in our classes.”
The Stoddard Prize was established in 1985, by George E. Stoddard, a 1937 BYU alumnus. His numerous credentials include acting as senior managing director of the W.P. Carey & Co., a leading global real estate investment firm in New York. He was also head of the multi-billion dollar Direct Placement Department of the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States.
The Marriott School is located at Brigham Young University, the largest privately owned, church-sponsored university in the United States. The school has nationally recognized programs in accounting, business management, public management, information systems, organizational behavior and entrepreneurship. The school’s mission is to prepare men and women of faith, character and professional ability for positions of leadership throughout the world. Approximately 3,000 students are enrolled in the Marriott School’s graduate and undergraduate programs.
2007 Stoddard Prize Recipient Bios
McKay Colton , from Hurricane, Utah, completed his undergraduate work in managerial economics at Southern Utah University. He served an LDS mission in Ukraine, Kiev, and is a founding member of the company Prestige Funding, LLC. After graduation he will be signing on with American Express.
Tyler Jones , from Mesa, Ariz., earned his undergraduate degree in finance from Arizona State University. He has served as president of the Graduate Finance Association, as a teaching assistant and as a student mentor. After graduation he will be traveling to Switzerland to work with Partners Group, an alternative asset manager. He will be accompanied by his wife, Megan, and their two-year-old daughter, Landri.
Jason Larsen , from Sandy, Utah, completed his undergraduate work at the University of Utah where he studied mathematics. His involvement at BYU includes acting as director of events for the Marriott School’s Business Plan Competition and working with the Net Impact Club and the Ethics Case Competition Team. After graduation he will be working at IM Flash Technologies.
Glenn White , from Orem, Utah, earned an undergraduate degree in philosophy from BYU. He has worked as a research assistant, been involved in the Silver Fund and acted as vice president of the Graduate Finance Association. After graduation he will accept a position with American Express and plans to spend quality time with his wife, April, and daughters, Rebekah and Miriam.
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Writer: Karianne Salisbury (801) 422-1153
