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Poole College Recognizes 700 Graduates

Just over 700 graduates were recognized at the NC State University Poole College of Management’s commencement ceremony held May 12, 2012, at NC State’s PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C. View a slide show of photos from the ceremony in NC State Poole College’s Flicker account. [See related News & Observer story and NCSU graduation photo gallery.

Of those, 10 received doctoral degrees in economics, 241 received master’s degrees, and 452 received bachelor’s degrees, said Dr. Ira R. Weiss, dean of the college, in his opening remarks. The ceremony included presentations by one of the college’s bachelor’s degree recipients and the chairman of the college’s Board of Advisors.

Presenting the student’s address was Kyle Hartman, from Brown Summit, N.C., who received his bachelor’s degree in economics with a minor in Spanish. While a student, Hartman had been a member of Poole College’s Student Ambassadors and Pi Kappa Alpha, and represented the college as an NC State Student Senator. He also was an event leader for the colleges’ Wells Fargo Executive Series. Hartman had studied in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in spring 2011, and completed internships at Capital Investment Group and Camp Sea Gull. He will be working at A Bar A Ranch in Encampment, Wyoming, one of the oldest guest ranches located along the North Platte River in Wyoming’s Medicine Bow Mountains.

Henry Campen, partner in the Raleigh office of Parker Poe Adams and Bernstein LLP and chair of the college’s Board of Advisors, presented remarks on behalf of the board. His remarks focused on the growing importance of sustainability in the global business environment, and steps the college has been taking in this area. Campen was introduced by Dr. Shannon Davis, Poole College’s associate dean for undergraduate programs, and both announced the spring 2012 recipient of the Poole College of Management Board of Advisors’ Outstanding Student Award, Meredith Austin McCanless.

McCanless was selected from among 13 undergraduate students, listed below. The students were nominated for the award by the college’s faculty, and the recipient was selected by members of the college’s Board of Advisors.

Spring 2012 Student Award Nominees

  • Matthew Sean Ankenbruck
  • Christopher Brandon Casey
  • Julia Marie Howe
  • Meredith Austin McCanless
  • Derek Scott McLamb
  • Sally Anne Quinn
  • Daniel Robert Schillaci
  • Anissa Cheree Smalls
  • Timothy Spahr
  • Henry Stilley, III
  • Rachel Elisabeth Stone
  • Chandler Elaine Thompson
  • Zane Samuel Tharakan

About Meredith McCanless

McCanless, from Summerfield, N.C., graduated with a major in business administration, with concentrations in finance and marketing. During her undergraduate studies, she earned Dean’s List honors every semester, participated in the university Scholars Program and was inducted into Phi Eta Sigma, Golden Key, Gamma Beta Phi, Phi Kappa Phi, and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars honor societies. She is a member of the National American Scholars Consortium and the American Marketing Association, and served on the Scholars Council and the 2012 Senior Class Gift Committee. McCanless studied in Lille France, in the summer of 2009 and completed spring break study trip to Paris, France, in 2010. She held internships at Ameriprise Financial in High Point, N.C., and Kraft Sports Group in Foxboro, Mass. Following graduation, she will begin employment in marketing and public relations with Sageworks, Inc., in Raleigh, N.C.

Highest Ranking Seniors

Davis also announced the college’s highest ranking seniors in the accounting, business administration and economics bachelor’s degree programs. These students achieved the highest grade point average in their programs of study for all courses taken at NC State. “This year, all of our Poole College highest ranking seniors are also University Valedictorians,” Davis said. The honorees are:

  • April Makely Meech, business administration
  • Duy Khoung Ong, business administration
  • Tareq Ziad Said, business administration
  • Daniel Robert Schillaci, accounting
  • Laura Suzanne Scott, accounting
  • Henry Stilley, III, accounting
  • Rita Nevada Strang, accounting and economics
  • Zane Samuel Tharaken, business administration
  • Alison McKimmon Thompson, economics
  • Elliott Philip Welton, business administration

Jenkins Graduate Programs

Dr. Steve Allen, associate dean for graduate programs and research, introduced the faculty who announced graduates in the college’s four Jenkins Graduate Program.

  • Dr. Lee Craig, head of the Department of Economics, congratulated the 10 doctoral and 33 master’s program graduates as they were announced by Dr. Tamah Morant, director of the graduate economics programs.
  • Dr. Frank Buckless, head of the Department of Accounting, congratulated the 90 Master of Accounting (MAC) graduates, who were announced by Dr. Kathy Krawczyk, director of the MAC program.
  • Allen congratulated the 101 graduates of the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program and the 17 graduates of the Master of Global Innovation (MGIM) program as they were introduced by Pam Bostic, director of the MBA program.

Alumni Pinning Ceremony

Weiss concluded the commencement program with a college tradition, the Poole College of Management Alumni Pinning Ceremony. Weiss placed a Poole College lapel pin on Hartman’s collar, saying, “With this pin, I welcome you to the NC State Poole College of Management Alumni Network. I hope you will wear it with pride.” He then asked all the graduates to do the same for each other.

“This pin represents your accomplishments as a student – and your connection to all of our college’s graduates who have preceded you, as well as those who will follow,” Weiss said. “I ask you to wear your Poole College of Management pin often and proudly. As you encounter other Poole alums that do not have a pin, please do as we did today – take off your pin and pin them. Then let me know and we will send you another. Through this pinning process, we hope to unite all Poole College of Management alumni and create the strongest alumni network within the entire university.” Alumni who do not have a Poole College pin may request one from the college’s Office of Development and External Relations.

Weiss also said, “As new alumni of NC State and the Poole College of Management, you now have the opportunity to help shape the lives of future students who come to the college with the same hopes and dreams that you brought here.” He encourages all Poole alumni to return to campus often, to participate in college events, help to identify opportunities for student projects and internships, and contribute financially, especially in this year in which the university celebrates its 125th anniversary and the college celebrates its 20th.

Photo

Far right, Meredith Austin McCanless, Poole College of Management Board of Advisors’ Outstanding Student Award recipient

Photos on Flickr

View photos from the commencement ceremony in NC State Poole College’s Flickr collections. Search for the NC State Poole College 2012 set or tag words NC State Poole College Spring 2012 Graduation. Photos from the graduation reception will be posted by end of day Monday, May 14, 2012.

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