The Business School recognized its “best and brightest” undergraduate students at a luncheon on February 20. The students attained the highest possible academic achievement of the semester, a 4.0 GPA.

Dean Barbara Kahn commended the students for their achievements. Additional remarks, focused on recapping the recent Global Business Forum organized by the School. After a video presentation, she opened the floor up for a question and answer session. Several students took the opportunity to share their concerns about finding a job in the difficult market conditions. Dean Kahn assured the students that the School was working hard to help students find opportunities by setting up internship and alumni shadowing programs, among other career preparation initiatives.

"Events like this make us feel like we have input. The School looks back to us for our thoughts and to see how the School can grow," said junior Hayley Donaldson. "It reminds us that our hard work is appreciated."

Donaldson, an accounting and finance major, won a student research grant last summer from the University’s Honors Program to work with Royce Burnett, assistant professor of accounting.  She is a peer counselor and tutor, and member of the Alpha Kappa Psi professional business fraternity and the Hyperion Council.

Other students honored as the best and brightest include junior and finance major Sarah Michalski, who is conducting marketing research with Dean Kahn. She is involved with a number of organizations including the Hyperion Council and received first place in the group entry division of the School’s Business Plan Competition.

Tom Bartman, a senior and economics and finance major, was recently appointed chairman of the Dean's Undergraduate Advisory Board. He also helped to coordinate the School's FIRST Step program, a new core curriculum course that teaches first-year students business ethics and corporate social responsibility.

Cassandre Davilmar, a finance and economics major, was an honors summer research assistant in the Business Law Department. A junior, she is also a Louis P. Mills Award winner.

Sophomore and finance and accounting major Hanqui Chen is a research assistant in the finance department. Attending UM from China, she is involved with a number of student organizations including UM Women in Business and Students in Free Enterprise.

At the end of the luncheon, students were presented with a President's Honor Roll Certificate and were photographed with Dean Kahn and Linda Neider, vice dean of undergraduate programs.
"It's great to hear what the dean has to say," said sophomore and finance major Shaun Forbes. "Most undergraduates probably never get to meet her, so events like this give you academic motivation and something to look forward to." 

-Stacey Weitz