The 16th annual Honors Day celebration for the Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business took place on Thursday, April 11 at the Georgia Tech Hotel and Convention Center.
This annual event recognizes the outstanding achievements of students, faculty, and staff who have demonstrated exceptional service and academic excellence throughout the year.
The awards presented during the ceremony are made possible thanks to generous donations from alumni, corporate partners, benefactors, and friends of the College. Many of these supporters joined the honorees at the luncheon to commemorate their achievements.
Dean Anuj Mehrotra welcomed attendees and presented awards to each recipient.
Several of the recipients expressed their thanks for receiving their award.
“I am truly humbled to receive this award! It is extremely generous of the Byars to offer such an honor, and invigorating to see my research recognized. I am motivated to further work toward the excellence this award represents and make Scheller and Georgia Tech proud. Thank you so very much.”
Kathy Rupart-Wang, Assistant Professor of Accounting, Linda and Lloyd L. Byars Award for Faculty Research Recipient
“I am honored to receive this award and greatly appreciate the Verlander Family for their support of the Scheller College of Business and staff excellence. I feel inspired to empower our students in pursuing their dream careers and innovating our program delivery to help them navigate the demands of industry recruitment.”
Michael Dutcher, Director of Undergraduate Career Education, Verlander Family Award for Staff Excellence recipient
“It’s truly an honor that I was chosen from a pool of incredibly dedicated and equally talented students for this award. It is both incredibly humbling and validating to have my efforts acknowledged in such a meaningful way. I’m deeply grateful to be recognized as a Dow Chemical - P.C. McCutcheon Award recipient, and I’m excited to continue striving for excellence and contributing positively to the Scheller community.”
Journee Johnson, BSBA 2025, Dow Chemical-P.C. McCutcheon Award for Outstanding Student Achievement Recipient
“Thank you so much for this honorable award, and I'm truly grateful for the recognition! This further motivates me to continue striving for excellence in my academic and research pursuits. I would also like to thank all the OB faculty members, especially my supervisor, Chris Shalley, and my cohorts, who have been immensely supportive throughout my PhD journey here at Scheller.”
EunSoo Son, Ph.D. Candidate in Organizational Behavior, Ashford Watson Stalnaker Memorial Awards for Ph.D. Student Excellence Recipient
“This was such a pleasant surprise. It is just another signal of the collegiality of the Information Technology Management ((ITM) group and the Scheller College of Business. This recognition inspires me more to build the top ITM group in the nation. Amazing team. One ITM, one Scheller. Together. I am also humbled to be the Scheller Chair holder, and I can’t wait to share the news with Ernie Scheller. I am sure that he will be happy to hear it.”
D.J. Wu, Ernest Scheller Jr. Chair in Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Commercialization, Professor of Information Technology Management, Ernest Scheller Jr. Award Recipient
Student Awards
John R. Battle Awards for Student Excellence
A graduating senior who demonstrates the highest scholastic achievement and leadership on campus and in the community.
Funded by Lewis A. Patterson III, IM 1968, CEO of BPU Associates LLC, in memory of John R. Battle, who made it financially possible for Mr. Patterson to attend Georgia Tech. The late Mr. Battle graduated from Cornell University with a chemical engineering degree and served as vice president for The Dow Chemical Company.
- Jonathan Brooks, BSBA 2024
- Kalieann Weatherington, BSBA 2024
Dow Chemical-P.C. McCutcheon Award for Outstanding Student Achievement
The student who holds a high cumulative scholastic average in the third-year class, and who demonstrates leadership and service at Georgia Tech and in the greater community.
In honor of Dow Chemical and P.C. McCutcheon, who worked to establish the relationship between Dow Chemical and Georgia Tech.
- Journee Johnson, BSBA 2025
Jennifer R. and Charles B. Rewis Awards for Student Excellence in Accounting
An in-state undergraduate student who demonstrates exceptional academic performance in accounting, with preference for students pursuing careers in accounting.
Funded by Jennifer R. Rewis, MGT 1992, and the late Charles B. Rewis, MGT 1992.
- Mary Katherine "MK" Schmersal, BSBA 2024
- Maxwell Oglesby, BSBA 2024
Dean’s Award for Evening MBA Student Excellence
Evening MBA students who have demonstrated exceptional integrity, academic merit, and leadership.
- Megan Hinson, MBA 2025
Dean’s Award for Full-Time MBA Student Excellence
Full-time MBA students who have demonstrated exceptional integrity, academic merit, and leadership.
- Shawn Johnson, MBA 2025
Ashford Watson Stalnaker Memorial Awards for Ph.D. Student Excellence
Ph.D. students who contribute exemplary scholarship and innovation to their respective academic disciplines and the College, through outstanding research and teaching.
In memory of Ashford Watson Stalnaker III, IM 1961, MS 1962, who served as a respected faculty leader in management science at Georgia Tech.
- Eun Soo Son, Ph.D Candidate, Organizational Behavior
Sheth Fellows Award
PhD students who have reached a major milestone by successfully passing their comprehensive exams within the last year.
Funded by Mrs. Madhuri and Professor Jagdish Sheth to celebrate students during a pivotal moment in their graduate studies and promote knowledge, sustained academic scholarship, and research innovation.
- Natasha Reed, Ph.D Candidate, Organizational Behavior
- Daniel Donghyun Choi, Ph.D Candidate, Operation Management
- Qixin Ye, Ph.D Candidate, IT Management
Faculty Awards
Brady Family Awards for Faculty Teaching Excellence
Funded by the late Charles W. Brady, IM 1957
- Ravi Subramanian, Professor, Operations Management
Brady Family Awards for Faculty Research Excellence
Funded by the late Charles W. Brady, IM 1957, chairman emeritus of INVESCO, emeritus member of the College Advisory Board, and inaugural member of the College Hall of Fame.
- Andre Calmon, Assistant Professor, Operations Management
- Alex Hsu, Associate Professor, Finance
Linda S. and Lloyd L. Byars Awards for Faculty Research Excellence
Funded by Linda Byars and the late Lloyd L. Byars, Ph.D., professor emeritus, author of popular management textbooks, and longtime arbitrator of labor-management disputes.
- Alex Oettl, Dean’s Distinguished Term Professorship, Professor of Strategy and Innovation Management
- Kathy Rupar-Wang, Assistant Professor, Accounting
Linda S. and Lloyd L. Byars Awards for Faculty Teaching Excellence
Funded by Linda Byars and the late Lloyd L. Byars, Ph.D., professor emeritus, author of popular management textbooks, and longtime arbitrator of labor-management disputes.
- Jacqueline Garner, Senior Lecturer, Finance
Staff Awards
Verlander Family Awards for Staff Excellence
Funded by Karen and Chris A. Verlander, IM 1970, senior vice president, corporate development, for Associated Industries of Florida.
- Michael Dutcher, Director, Undergraduate Career Education
Stephen P. Zelnak Jr. Award for Staff Excellence
Funded by Stephen P. Zelnak Jr., IM 1969, chairman of ZP Enterprises, retired chairman of Martin Marietta Materials, Inc., and a member of the College Hall of Fame.
- Maria Misbach, Director, Marketing and Communications
College-Wide Awards
Melvyn P. and Eleanor N. Galin Creativity Award
Brittany McCormick, Evening MBA 2025, Assistant Director, Marketing and Communications
The Ernest Scheller Jr. Award
Established by gifts from family and friends to honor Ernest Scheller Jr. for his extraordinary philanthropic leadership in advancing Georgia Tech and Scheller College in particular.
- D.J. Wu, Ernest Scheller Jr. Chair in Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Commercialization, Professor of Information Technology Management
