Five Brigham Young University MBA students have been named recipients of the Director's Scholarship, an award that spotlights second- year students who have excelled in the top-ranked program.
With input from faculty, administrators and students, MBA director, Craig Merrill selected the scholars based on their demonstration of exceptional leadership and service to the program. The scholarship was awarded based on nominations rather than applications.
"It is an honor to recognize these outstanding students for their dedication to the MBA program," Merrill says. "Within our program, many scholarships are geared toward students excelling in particular fields like finance or international business. In fact, they are sometimes so specialized that many of our best students are overlooked. With this in mind, we've designed the director's scholarship for MBA students of all disciplines whose influence permeates the entire program."
This year's Director's Scholars include Clayton Andersen, a finance emphasis from Bountiful, Utah; Jeff Butler, a finance emphasis from Arlington Heights, Ill.; Daniel Howell, a marketing emphasis of Winchester Va.; Jasmine Palmer, a marketing emphasis from Veradale, Wash.; and Matt Schultz, a finance emphasis from Everett, Wash.
"Each of these students was enthusiastically endorsed by those with whom they closely worked, Merrill says. "Everyone was thrilled to see them receive this honor."
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.
2011 Director's Scholars Bios
Serving as president of the Graduate Finance Association, Clayton Andersen has been a valuable resource for MBA students as they prepare for careers in finance. With quiet efficiency, Andersen has refined the mentoring program, enabling first-year students to receive more help from second-year students during their job search. Prior to entering the MBA program, Andersen completed an undergraduate degree in accounting and took a job as a financial auditor at Deloitte &Touche. He also worked with Sage Capital as a corporate controller. Clayton's recommenders describe him as a leader with great initiative. "His desire to achieve success in an honorable and ethical manner will take him far," one said.
After graduating from BYU with a degree in finance, Jeff Butler of Provo gained a wealth of experience in the workforce. He worked as a regional account manager for AIM Healthcare Services Inc. and as a coordinator of systems and reporting in customer financial services for Halliburton. He also worked for BP as a financial analyst in the marketing and trading division before starting his MBA. As the Graduate Finance Association vice president, Butler manages Morning Market Call, a student-run news and education webcast. Under his leadership, Morning Market Call has featured many industry professionals and facilitated thoughtful conversations on important business issues.
Daniel Howell earned a degree in industrial design at BYU before working as a lead designer for Machineart Industrial Design. Howell has also worked as a freelance designer with renowned clients such as Bell Automotive, Becton Dickinson, Chicco, Flexcon Containers, Graco and Hewlett-Packard before beginning the MBA program. Within the program, he has maintained high marks while serving within the MBA Marketing Association and the MBA Tech Society. Howell's recommenders praise him for his strong character. "He is trustworthy and responsible beyond reproach," one said. "He knows what he needs and works with energy and enthusiasm to achieve it."
Jasmine Palmer of Veradale, Wash. graduated from BYU in business management with an emphasis in marketing in 2007. She served an LDS Spanish-speaking mission in Oakland, Calif. and worked as a marketing assistant for the RBL Group as well as a project management assistant for SMP Ventures before returning to BYU to earn her MBA. Driven by a passion for international work, she embraced an opportunity to spend time in Ghana completing research and assisting with an International Development Enterprises project. Within the past year, she has maintained a high GPA and served her classmates while battling difficult health issues.
As Executive Vice President of Student Life in the MBA Student Association for the last two years, Matt Schultz unified the classes of 2011 and 2013 through several memorable networking events. Prior to his MBA, he completed his undergraduate degree in finance from BYU in 2006 and proceeded to work as a cost and financial analyst for Melaleuca, Inc., a wellness company in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Those who recommended Shultz spoke highly of his ability to balance his coursework and leadership responsibilities. They named integrity, professionalism, high energy and motivation among his crowning characteristics.
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Writer: Courtney Rieder Nielsen