The Davis College of Business & Technology celebrated 23 of its master-level students April 14, recognizing the highest-achievers in this year’s graduating class.
The Distinguished Graduate Business Scholars are graduate business, masters-level students recognized for their leadership, community-centered service, and academic excellence. These students embody the values of Jacksonville University and are committed to making a positive impact in their professional and philanthropic endeavors.
“We could not be more proud of our distinguished graduate students,” said Dr. Barbara Ritter, Dean of the Davis College of Business & Technology. “This group of students serves their college, community, and even their nation with extraordinary skills and fortitude. They characterize the exceptional strengths our students and alumni bring to the classroom and the boardroom.”
Here’s more on this year’s scholars:
Name: Joseph Butterfield
Hometown: Gulfport, Mississippi
Honors and Awards:
- Named Naval Education Training Command Military Instructor of the Year (NROTC) for 2022
- Member of Beta Gamma Sigma
- Personal military awards include Navy Commendation Medal (2), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
Favorite JU memory: Studying and working on classes at night with my wife, Hillary, who is also earning her MSOL from JU.
Name: Travis Williams
Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida
Honors and awards:
Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society
Favorite JU memory: Having my kids in class with me for some Saturday sessions. Walking with them through campus and eating lunch together was a lot of fun for them and for me.
Name: Tara Torres
Hometown: Tahlequah, Oklahoma
Honors and Awards:
You Make Difference Award, 2017
STAR Award, 2015
Circle of Excellence Award, 2012
Favorite JU memory: My favorite memory of JU was the first time I stepped foot onto the campus. Pulling up to the main gate just took my breath away, the campus is simply stunning. I love walking across the campus and see different plants, trees, and of course the view of the St. Johns River! I love seeing everyone laughing, smiling, and having fun in such a beautiful learning environment.
Name: Kayla May Dumon
Hometown: Citrus Springs, Florida
Honors and Awards:
NFL/NCAA Administrator's Academy: 2022 Selection
Jacksonville Jaguars: WAVE Award Recipient, VALUE Award Recipient & ENGAGE Award Recipient
Women Leaders in College Sports: 2023 "Rising Star" Award
Favorite JU memory: My favorite JU memory has to be last year's Charter Day. I had the opportunity to assist in executing, as well as witness our student-athlete body serve and impact the greater community of Jacksonville. I'm grateful to be part of a department that emphasizes and prioritizes the importance of community impact and service.
Name: Elizabeth Crosby
Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida
Honors and awards:
University Undergraduate Honors Program Member
Green Key Honor Society Member – Jacksonville University’s Undergraduate Top 1% for academics & leadership
Jacksonville University Division I Track and Field Team Captain
Jacksonville University Presidential Leadership Advisory Council Member 2019-2020
Favorite JU memory: Cafeteria laughs & conversations with my friends & teammates throughout the years
Name: Emma Schulok
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Honors and Awards:
Phi Kappa Phi
Beta Gamma Sigma Honors Society
Favorite JU memory: Winning my conference championship my senior year of Undergrad on the JU Women’s Rowing Team.
Name: Jeffrey D. Lucovsky
Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida
Honors and Awards:
Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
Student Member of the American Planning Association
Licensed Landscape Architect in Florida & Mississippi
Favorite JU Memory: Finding out I made an 'A' in Professor Mullaney's Law and Public Policy class.
Name: Shane Surprenant
Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida
Honors and Awards:
Beta Gamma Sigma
Phi Kappa Phi
Favorite JU Memory: Sitting in class one evening while a JU vs. FSU baseball game was being played and:
1) Being responsible enough not to skip glass and go to the game
2) As an FSU undergrad alum and current JU grad student, being conflicted on who to root for
Witnessing how helpful and encouraging both in and out of class every JU employee I have interacted with has been.
Name: Rose O’Brien
Hometown: St. Augustine, Florida
Honors and Awards:
Beta Gamma Sigma
Favorite JU Memory: My very first class at JU with Dr. Demps debating leadership in a professional way with my fellow classmates. This experience made me realize how people from different nationalities and political backgrounds can respect each other's opinions and help to educate others while discussing sensitive matters.
Name: Abigail Roskind
Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida
Honors and Awards:
Beta Gamma Sigma Honors Society
Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society
National Society of Leadership and Success
Favorite JU Memory: The study sessions and picnics I would have on the Dolphin Green by the river.
Name: Angela McTammany
Hometown: Huntington, New York
Honors and Awards: Phi Kappa Phi
Name: Alexa Stucke
Hometown: Toronto, Canada
Favorite JU Memory: Helping students improve their academic writing by tutoring undergraduates at the writing center
Name: Caroline Wells
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
Honors and Awards:
Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society
Davis College of Business and Technology Top 25 Student
Favorite JU Memory: Winning MAAC conference championship with JU Women’s Rowing Team.
Name: Quinton Carter
Hometown: Raleigh, North Carolina
Honors and Awards:
Phi Kappa Phi
Beta Gamma Sigma
Top 25 2022-2023
Favorite JU Memory: Collaborating and working late hours on DSIM problems before and after creating the JU Business Analytics group
Name: Lynn Hartley
Hometown: Buffalo, Wyoming
Honors and Awards:
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, received while in the Marine Corps
Favorite JU Memory: Being on the campus and hearing from the team providing the tour confirmed my desire to attend JU and re-confirmed my excitement about what the future was going to hold here at JU.
Name: Kaitlyn Koenig
Hometown: Scottsdale, Arizona
Honors and Awards:
Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society
Favorite JU Memory: Being involved on campus as a student-athlete on the Shooting Team, along with being a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority.
Name: Nicole Sweeney
Hometown: Yorktown Heights, New York
Honors and Awards:
President of the Accounting, Finance, & Analytics Club
DCOBT Graduate Assistant
Favorite JU memory: From interacting with classmates, professors, and the lifelong friends I have made, I couldn't have asked for better memories or a better time at JU. I am so grateful to all of those who have encouraged me to become the best version of myself and to those professors who have set me up for long-term success.
Name: Dr. Timothy Shapiro
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Honors and Awards:
- Service Achievement Award (3), Lifestar EMS
- Phi Sigma Pi
- Phi Beta Kappa
- Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
- Army Commendation Medal (9th Award)
- Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (6th Award)
- Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 2 Campaign Stars 6-8
- Iraq Campaign Medal with 2 Campaign stars
Name: Patricia Gill
Hometown: Fairfax, South Carolina
Honors and Awards:
Beta Gamma Sigma
Civilian of the Year (Category II, Naval Hospital Jacksonville)
Favorite JU Memory: After receiving BSN at Jacksonville University, I was commissioned at an Ensign in the U.S. Navy and was given the oath by my best friend who as a commissioned officer.
Name: Silvia Rhoden
Hometown: Guayaquil, Ecuador
Honors and Awards:
· Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society
· Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
· Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholar
Favorite JU memory:
· During my undergrad at JU, my favorite memory was being an international student in the US and making many friends from different nationalities. As a diversity lover, it was an enriching experience I'll always be grateful for.
Kayode Ogidan
Hometown: Lagos, Nigeria
Honors and Awards:
· Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society
Favorite JU memory:
· One of my fondest memories is the time I spent at Jacksonville University when I joined the Computer Science Club. Being part of this group allowed me to connect with like-minded individuals who shared a passion for technology and innovation. What stood out to me the most was our participation in the annual Hackathon competition.
Salena Silvaria
Hometown: Haddon Township, New Jersey
Honors and Awards:
· SALUTE National Honor Society
· Beta Gamma Sigma
· Three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals
Favorite JU memory:
· Building friendships with fellow classmates and student veterans
Students of the Year
Name: Rachel Walters
Honors and Awards:
Kinne Scholarship Recipient 2022-2023
Graduate Woman of the Year Nominee 2023
Favorite JU memory: Watching the sunsets by the Dolphin Green
Name: Robert Foery
Hometown: Wester Chester, Pennsylvania
Honors and Awards:
Beta Gamma Sigma
Phi Kappa Phi
Favorite JU memory: International Business Trip with Dr. Johansen (Summer 2022 to Lisbon, Portugal)
Name: Amanda Sampo
Hometown: Bow, New Hampshire
Honors and Awards:
Phi Kappa Phi
Beta Gamma Sigma
Favorite JU memory: Being a collegiate athlete during my undergraduate years at JU.
Name: Zach Hardy
Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida
Honors and Awards:
Phi Kappa Phi
Beta Gamma Sigma
Favorite JU Memory: The first time one of my classes met, we went around and introduced ourselves and I was immediately invited to join an existing group despite a 10+ year age gap between myself and the other team members. It was at that moment that I truly appreciated just how inclusive and welcoming the DCOBT students are. It’s fantastic that the college encourages such great comradery; it makes for an excellent learning environment!
