Studying finance has proven to be a profitable investment for six Marriott School students who were selected as MBA finance scholars. Four students were named Stoddard Scholars and two were named Questar Scholars.
The 2008 Stoddard Scholars are: Annette Christensen, from Gunnison, Utah; Tamir Ganbat, from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia; Jason Miller, from Springville, Utah; and Joel Persson, from Pleasant Grove, Utah. The 2008 Questar Scholars are Ben Maughan, from Oak Hill, Va., and Tim Rollins, from West Jordan, Utah.
“These scholars have demonstrated their commitment and dedication to the finance profession. They have all excelled academically,” says Grant McQueen, a finance professor who helped choose the recipients. “Through this award, we want students to know we are confident in their professional abilities. We believe they will be great representatives of the BYU MBA program anywhere they chose to go.”
The scholars were selected by a committee of faculty members for showing exceptional academic performance and making significant contributions to the MBA finance program. Each of the Stoddard Scholars received $2,250; Questar Scholars received $2,000.
“Throughout the years, scholarships have helped many students realize their dreams and accomplish their aspirations,” Christensen says. “I feel honored to become a part of this distinguished group of finance students. It’s nice to have your hard work recognized.”
The Stoddard Scholar Award 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.
Since 1976, Questar has made substantial donations to the BYU Scholarship Fund through its educational foundation. Most of these contributions have been used to provide scholarships to students in engineering, geology and other physical sciences. This is the first year a Questar scholarship has been instituted to recognize students in the finance program. In addition to the MBA Questar Scholars, an undergraduate finance student will also be chosen to receive the scholarship later this year.
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 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.
Stoddard Scholars
Joel Persson, from Pleasant Grove, Utah, earned two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Utah — one in chemistry and the other in material science and engineering. In addition to his engineering career, Joel obtained vast experience in financial modeling and simulations while serving as a business analyst consultant for various companies, including PepsiCo. After graduation, Joel plans to go into corporate mergers and acquisitions.
Jason Miller, from Springville, Utah, earned an undergraduate degree in biology from the University of California–Riverside. In the past, he has worked as a financial adviser with Merrill Lynch and was a partner of DMP Construction for three years. He has also appeared on CNBC’s “Fast Money” to offer equity recommendations. Upon graduation, he plans to go into corporate development and strategy at a local biotechnology startup business.
Annette Christensen, from Gunnison, Utah, graduated magna cum laude in history from BYU in 2005. During her time at the Marriott School, she has helped organize activities and forums for women in the field of business management; tutored undergraduate finance students as a teacher’s assistant; and participated in a financial field study for Marriott International Inc. After graduation, Annette will work as a senior financial analyst for the finance division at Intel in Santa Clara, Calif.
Tamir Ganbat, from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, earned an undergraduate degree in accounting and business management from Brigham Young University–Idaho — where he was also recognized as “Man of the Year.” Tamir worked in corporate accounting for three years before entering the MBA program. He is the vice president of finance for the MBA Student Association and is also an MBA Ambassador. Tamir will work for AT&T Inc. in a three-year rotation program.
Questar Scholars
Benjamin Maughan, from Oak Hill, Va., earned an undergraduate degree in finance from the BYU Marriott School in 2006. He has more than four years of experience in internal consulting management, specifically for the technology industry. He has accepted a financial analyst position with Cisco Systems Inc. in San Jose, Calif.
Timothy Rollins, from West Jordan, Utah, graduated cum laude from the BYU Marriott School with a degree in finance. Before his MBA career, Timothy served as a financial analyst and accountant for Melaleuca, a wellness product retail company. Upon graduation, Timothy will work for American Express in their global network services department.
Writer: Irasema Romero (801) 422-9146