The Marriott School of Management at Brigham Young University announced nine MBA candidates, including two international students, as its 2007 Hawes Scholars. The honor, which carries a cash award of $10,000, is the highest distinction given to MBA students at the school.
“These scholars were identified as being outstanding examples of what BYU’s MBA program is all about,” says MBA Faculty Director James Stice. “Of course, they have done well academically. But more importantly, they have exemplified the spirit of BYU’s MBA program. They have given when it wasn’t required; they have gone the extra mile when no one was watching, and they have influenced many people for good.”
Award candidates are nominated and selected by students and faculty. Candidates are selected based on academic performance, leadership maturity and a commitment to high ethical standards. This year’s winners are Diego Carroll, from Orem, Utah; Michael Conrad, from Lake Oswego, Ore.; Marco Gaertner, from São Paulo, Brazil; Makoto Ishizaka, from Tokyo; Scott Jolley, from Mesa, Ariz., Rodrigo Ribeiro, from São Paulo, Brazil; Taber Rigg, from Anchorage, Alaska; Ryan Stevens, from Gilbert, Ariz.; and Jennifer Wagner, from Oklahoma City.
“I congratulate these fine men and women for earning such a distinct honor,” says Ned C. Hill, Marriott School dean. “They embody the professional skills, leadership and service orientation that we highly prize.”
Named for successful corporate executive Rodney A. Hawes, Jr. and his wife, Beverly, the award was created in 1998 to recognize the accomplishments of graduating MBA students. The Hawes Scholar award is one of many initiatives made possible by the Hawes Endowment, a gift of more than $2 million used to facilitate the growth and enhancement of the Marriott School’s nationally ranked MBA program. Mr. Hawes, a Baker Scholar from the Harvard Business School, and his wife wanted to create a tradition at the Marriott School that recognizes and rewards excellence among students entering the business world.
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 Hawes Scholar Bios
Although born in Argentina, Diego Carroll grew up in Orem, Utah, before attending BYU and graduating with a degree in civil and environmental engineering in 2001. One year later, he earned his master’s degree in civil engineering from BYU. After six years with two separate engineering companies, Diego returned to the Marriott School to pursue an MBA with an emphasis in finance and strategy. “The Marriott School MBA program provided many hands-on experiences,” he says. “The program regularly provided clinical settings where I could apply business and management concepts. I had a unique opportunity to participate in live private equity investment deals through the Cougar Capital program. I developed a set of skills that I can use whether I choose to pursue a career in the investment industry, a large corporation or a startup.”
Michael Conrad, from Lake Oswego, Ore., completed his undergraduate work at BYU, graduating in 2001 with a degree in information systems. Michael returned to the Marriott School to pursue an MBA with an emphasis in strategy. During his studies, Michael also completed an internship with Cisco Systems, “The Marriott School is perhaps the most unique business school in the world,” he says. “I wanted to come here because I truly believe in the school’s mission. I know we can establish an atmosphere where students, faculty and professionals can collaborate to create opportunities for betterment for people throughout the world. The Marriott School has the potential to change the way businesses run in almost every country, and I want to do my part in moving that vision forward.”
Although now a U.S. citizen, Marco Gaertner is originally from São Paulo, Brazil. He graduated from BYU in 2001 with a degree in computer engineering. He spent four years as a technical lead for Motorola and also started a successful real estate company, MacCosmos LLC. Now pursuing an MBA with an emphasis in operations and strategy, Marco has accepted a job offer from Hewlett-Packard as an IT service operations manager. “One of my favorite elements in attending the Marriott School program has been the interaction with outstanding peers, who see no limits to what they can accomplish,” he says. “This level of growth of course is only possible due to the excellent level of engaging and powerful faculty active in the Marriott School.”
Tokyo native Makoto Ishizaka graduated in 2002 with an undergraduate degree in law from Japan’s Waseda University. He came to the Marriott School after working as an account executive with NEC Corporation and as an assistant human resources manager with Interac Co. Ltd. A second-year MBA student with an emphasis in organizational behavior and human resources, Makoto will begin working as a senior product manager with Microsoft Japan after graduation. “It is always great to see the best business practices with my eyes and learn from them,” he says. “I really appreciate this chance to live and study with other international students who are future leaders in their respective countries.”
Scott Jolley, from Mesa, Ariz., earned his undergraduate degree at BYU in 2002, majoring in international finance. Before returning to the Marriott School to pursue his MBA with an emphasis in finance and strategy, Scott worked as a senior auditor with Caremark Rx, Inc. While working on his BYU MBA, Scott completed an internship with Cisco Systems, Inc. He will begin working with Bank of America’s MBA Leadership Development Program upon graduation. “I specifically chose BYU because I knew I would be surrounded by high quality individuals who have vast international experience and strong desires to serve and help people,” he says. “I was not disappointed.”
Rodrigo Ribeiro graduated from Brazil's Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie in 2001 with a degree in electrical engineering. The São Paulo, Brazil, native worked as a sales representative, technical support leader and IT administrator for IBM for five years before coming to the Marriott School to earn his MBA with an emphasis in marketing. Now in his second year, Rodrigo will begin working as a product specialist for Johnson & Johnson after graduation. "I never imagined that my experience here would be so rewarding," he says. "The most important thing for me was the invaluable friendship that I found in this school during these two years. My experience here is the biggest motivator I have to continually seek opportunities to give back to others."
Taber Rigg, from Anchorage, Alaska, graduated in 2003 from BYU with a degree in Latin American studies. Rigg spent two years as a manager at Kohl’s Department Store before returning to BYU to pursue his MBA. Since beginning his master’s, Rigg has interned with Dell, Inc., and will begin working as an assistant human resources manager with General Mills upon graduation. “My peers in the program have taught me a great deal. I was comforted by their willingness to reach out and share their knowledge and experience with others. The friendships that I have made between students, professors and administrators are relationships I will continue to enjoy well after the MBA program.”
Ryan Stevens, from Gilbert, Ariz., is currently completing an MBA with an emphasis in marketing at the Marriott School and will begin working as an assistant brand manager with Kimberly-Clark after graduation. Ryan graduated summa cum laude from ASU in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in business management. He then spent six years as a business analyst with the Intel Corporation. “When I decided to accept the invitation to come to the Marriott School MBA program, I never thought my experience would be so extraordinary,” he says. “I feel so fortunate to have been able to associate with such high-caliber professors and students. I have thoroughly enjoyed learning both business and spiritual concepts from some of the greatest minds in the world.”
Jennifer Wagner, from Oklahoma City, is a second-year MBA student with an emphasis in marketing. Jennifer earned her undergraduate degree in public relations from BYU in 2002. She worked for three years in Fleishman-Hillard's New York office, developing and executing health care communications campaigns. "During my time in the MBA program I have enjoyed working with and learning from my classmates," Wagner says. "I have also been impressed with the time and attention given by the professors at BYU. Their commitment to student learning and understanding does not end once class is dismissed. They make themselves available to ensure concepts are understood and applied appropriately."
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Writer: Todd Bluth