Nurturing Careers in Business, as Usual

School of Business student award winners for 2016 Deidre Matte, left, and Andrea Sanfilippo pose after the awards ceremony on Nov. 3.

ALBANY, N.Y. (November 10, 2016) —The growth in excellence of the School of Business is evident from the expanding number of student scholars being rewarded for their achievements — so many so that, due to time constraints, the school’s Annual Student Awards needed to transition from a luncheon to a ceremony.

“This event is one of the highlights of our year,” said Interim Dean Hany Shawky at the 32nd edition of the event, held in the Standish Living Room in the Massry Center for Business. “Just 10 years ago, we gave out 16 awards at this event. Today we honor 75 students with 50 awards.”

About 45 of the awards were scholarships, representing increased support in the School of Business from UAlbany alumni and community leaders. Recipients expressed appreciation both for the financial support and for what the school has given them academically.

Junior Andrea Sanfilippo from Long Island, one of six recipients of Zelin Family Endowed Scholarships for demonstrated academic achievement and financial need, said she hoped one day to pass along the Zelin’s generosity to a new generation. “I am honored and touched to have been chosen for this scholarship,” she said. “It has made me want to give back to the school as an alumna in order to benefit future students.”

Sanfilippo recalled that she chose UAlbany both for its great value and a special School of Business program in finance — which, she said, has already paid dividends. “The Financial Analyst Honors Program has helped me think more critically, has helped me improve on my computer and technical skills, and has helped me land a summer internship at Deutsche Bank.”

Nick Rizzo, center, winner of the Professor Sanjay Goel Information Assurance Scholarship stands with Goel, left, and School of Business Interim Dean Hany Shawky.

Senior Nick Rizzo from Queensbury, winner of the Professor Sanjay Goel Information Assurance Scholarship, has a similar respect for the Digital Forensics Program. “The opportunity to perform cutting edge research with some of the faculty members in the program has been incredibly beneficial to me and helped guide me to pursue a Ph.D. and a career in research” he said.

The award, established by the Pon Family, is given to student with a special aptitude in research so he or she can work closely with a School of Business faculty member. “This award has allowed me to focus more on my education and research, allowing me to be better prepared to pursue a doctorate,” said Rizzo. “I am truly thankful to the Pon Family and Dr. Goel for their gifts, which made this scholarship a reality.”

Second Year UAlbany MBA student from Cambridge, N.Y., Deidre Matte, received the IHRIM/Edward S. Goldmacher Scholarship, supporting a student pursuing the field of Human Resource Information Management. An English major with a bachelor’s degree from Yale University, she will graduate in May with a job secured at “Big Four” auditor KPMG.

“I am very grateful for the combined efforts of the faculty and staff from the MBA program and Career Services,” said Matte. “They are dedicated individuals who helped me navigate a rigorous and fast-paced internship recruiting process during my first semester, which led to a rewarding internship and a full-time job offer after graduation.

“I am honored to be a recipient of the scholarship, which provides financial assistance as I continue my studies. It also has helped increase my confidence in my decision to transition into business despite my non-business background.”

Shawky noted that many of the school’s students work and/or take on internships in addition to their classwork and student research. Several also lead and create business-related clubs on campus and volunteer to contribute to their home and school communities.

“The young people who walk to this podium represent the talent, diversity, hard work and intelligence of our entire student body,” said Shawky.

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