Category: 2011-2012 Honorees

Often, exceptionally high-achieving students forgo extracurricular involvement or community engagement.  This isn’t the case with Anson Angail.  He was the valedictorian of his high school as well as a member of two varsity sports teams, the president of National Honor Society, and a volunteer coach.  Thanks to Advanced Placement and dual-enrollment programs, he started college with 57 credit hours under his belt.

He has continued to be a highly engaged scholar at USF.  Here, he is a member and peer mentor of the USF Honors College, the Business Honors Program, and the Provost’s Scholars Program.  All three of these rigorous opportunities require students to conduct research alongside faculty and to participate in learning programs with like-minded, goal-oriented students.  Continue reading “Anson Angail, Accounting”

Will Bakos is an excellent student, evidenced by his 3.90 GPA and frequent appearance on the dean’s list.  He has been awarded five academic scholarships at USF, and, during his junior year, he was invited to join Beta Gamma Sigma business honor society.

A former resident of the Bulls Business Community, Bakos served as a resident assistant for USF Housing during the 2009-2011 academic year.  He helped coordinate special programs and mentored younger students who were struggling to balance social opportunities with academic responsibilities.

As a result of his outstanding academic performance, Bakos was selected to participate in the invitation-only Applied Securities Analysis course, a rigorous class where ten students manage a $210,000 portfolio.  The long-term goal of the course is to teach the best students how to research, pitch, and manage stocks while growing the fund to $2 million in order to provide scholarships for business students.  Continue reading “William Bakos, Finance”

 A native of the Czech Republic, Petr Bambasek went to high school in Prague where, much like their American counterparts, many students spend their free time playing video games and sports.  Bambasek, however, spent his free time mastering Adobe Creative Suite programs such as Photoshop, Dreamweaver, and Flash.

Admitting that he was as addicted to his pen tablet as his friends were to their video games, Bambasek soon became well-versed in user-focused web design.  He began providing services to a local construction company and clients such as the University Sports Club Prague.  Last year, Bambasek was hired by USF Student Government to produce multimedia promotions.

Bambasek has a 4.0 GPA yet he doesn’t spend all of his time studying.  He is an executive board member for several student organizations and volunteers for Createch USF, where students who are skilled in web programming, development, and graphic design host free training sessions for fellow students.  He also served as the communications/social media chair for USF’s Advertising Club.  Continue reading “Petr Bambasek, Business Advertising”

When Jessica Barber arrived at orientation before beginning her first classes at USF, students leading the session made it clear that involvement is the key to success.  Heeding their advice, Barber immersed herself in student organizations.  She joined the Building Council in her residence hall, working with her peers to plan events for residents.  She spent time honing her leadership skills and just a year later, was selected to serve as a resident assistant in the dorms.  She also began serving as an orientation team leader herself, helping USF’s newest Bulls become acclimated to campus and sharing the engagement messages that resonated with her a year before.

Today, Barber serves as a USF Ambassador, representing USF at presidential events, community programs, and other important events attended by national and international dignitaries. In the College of Business, Barber serves on the executive boards of several student organizations, including the International Business Board. She helped organize the highly successful Florida Student Summit on Global Business.  Continue reading “Jessica Barber, Finance”

Lindsay Berstling is an inaugural member of USF’s Business Honors Program that blends rigorous coursework with research and applied learning opportunities. Participants complete honors courses in research to become familiar with current topics as well as learn how to design and execute an honors thesis. Berstling will examine the characteristics and business strategies of successful cruise lines during the economic recession.

Aiming to work in international trade, Berstling is an avid participant in study abroad programs. In 2010, the French government awarded Berstling a scholarship to study international relations for a week in Paris. She will study in Florence with her peers in the Business Honors Program this summer. At the conclusion of that experience, Berstling will spend two semesters at École Supérieure de Commerce de Rennes, a French business school in Brittany, followed by a short internship. As a result, Berstling will graduate with an international business degree from both USF and ESC Rennes.  Continue reading “Lindsay Berstling, International Business”

The adage “if you want something done, give it to a busy person” certainly applies to Megan Blizard.  A strong, dedicated, and caring individual, Blizard works part-time, has held several leadership positions in her sorority, juggles two internships, and is enrolled in five classes.

Previously the secretary and president of Zeta Tau Alpha, an 80+ member Panhellenic sorority, Blizard currently serves as the community manager for USF’s Greek Village.  This position allows her to serve as a liaison between the ZTA National Housing Corporation as well as USF Housing.  Continue reading “Megan Blizard, Marketing and Management”

Matt Casey excels academically, doing so while taking part in the rigorous, two-semester Applied Securities Analysis course that is required to participate in the Student-Managed Investment Fund.  This highly selective program allows motivated, well-prepared students the opportunity to participate in simulated financial management as well as to manage ‘real money in real time.’

A member of the Tau Sigma National Honors Society, Casey’s academic success does not come at the expense of extracurricular involvement.  He is captain of the USF Rowing Team, a senator representing the College of Business in USF Student Government, and a member of Beta Alpha Psi (a student organization for accounting honor students).  He is a participant in the College of Business Corporate Mentor Program.  Continue reading “Matthew Casey, Finance and Accounting”

For three years, finance major Anthony Diaz has been an outfielder on the USF baseball team, and, this year, the team is well on its way to winning USF’s first Big East Baseball Championship.

Diaz loves sports, but admits that playing Division IA Baseball is the equivalent to having a part-time job.  The athletes travel and practice together for 56 regular season games, as well as spend time in the weight room and practice on their own.

Understanding that being a member of the team puts him in the spotlight, Diaz knows he must manage his time well, as student comes first in his role as student-athlete.  A finance major who is also studying mass communications, Diaz is focused in the classroom and disciplined when it comes to studying, as evidenced by his 3.93 GPA.   He was named a member of the Big East All Academic Team in both 2010 and 2011, and has been on the dean’s list every semester from 2009-2011.  Continue reading “Anthony Diaz, Finance”

Gina Ferrara is pursuing a well-rounded education – she is double majoring in international business and marketing and she is also pursuing two minors: one in Chinese and another in information systems management.  Even with her busy schedule, Ferrera excels academically, having consistently made the dean’s list every semester that she has been at USF.

Outside of the classroom, Ferrera has served as a section leader of the USF Herd of Thunder Marching Band Drum Line.  Continue reading “Gina Ferrara, International Business”

William Halaby hated being labeled an “at risk” child. So much so that, thanks to the Take Stock in Children program, a decade later, Halaby is the first in his family to attend college. He will soon graduate with a bachelor’s degree in finance, a degree he earned while working part-time, serving as an intern at both T. Rowe Price and Jaffe Tilchin Wealth Management, and serving on the Honors College Student Council.

A participant in the College of Business Corporate Mentor Program, Halaby is paired with an executive from Raymond James Financial. He says the opportunity to shadow a senior executive has been invaluable.

Given his understanding of how mentoring can impact one’s life, it is no surprise that the student who is being mentored is also reaching back to be a mentor through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay. He has been matched as a Big Brother for more than a year. He has also served as a guest speaker to at risk youth through the Take Stock program that served him so well.  Continue reading “William Halaby, Finance”

Syed Hasan is passionate about helping others.  At USF, Hasan took on his first leadership role as a freshman, when he served as treasurer for Project Downtown, organization that feeds the homeless every Friday night, rain or shine.

Thanks to his efforts, for the first time a bookkeeping system for the organization was introduced.  Hasan says he learned a lot about bookkeeping from the experience.  He says he also learned about life from his newly found homeless friends, saying they helped him put life in perspective and are helping him understand the importance of gratitude.

As a member of Muslims Without Borders, a student-based humanitarian aid organization, Hasan was part of the teams that organized and collected supplies for Haiti for relief efforts as well as a national ‘can-paign’ that raised 13 tons of canned items for Africa.  In addition, Hasan is a youth counselor and motivational speaker for at-risk youth through the Muslim American Society.

Continue reading “Syed Hasan, Finance”

Kristen Keese beams when she tells people that USF’s three-year old student organization, Future Business Leaders of America (Phi Beta Lambda), bested 20+ chapters in Florida when it was recently named the “Chapter of the Year” by the organization’s state office.  Phi Beta Lambda members, who earned 23 awards at the statewide conference, have participated in several community service projects, hosted professional development workshops, and raised funds to assist the March of Dimes.

As president of the organization, Keese launched several initiatives and marketing strategies that increased the nascent organization’s membership and ultimately helped the chapter earn the designation.  Continue reading “Kristen Keese, Marketing”

Amanda Kerney knows what it means to be a professional.  She began working part-time when she was 16, handling data entry for an air conditioning firm.  Soon she was tackling (then-cutting-edge) digital technology for record keeping purposes.  Seven years later, she still works there.

She is no longer the teenager who operates the scanner, however.  She has rotated through departments and works in project administration, accounting, dispatching, and payroll, among other areas.  She has worked with the executive team to create dashboards and metrics.  She has also been asked to “dissect” financial information and present it in ways that can be easily understood by mid-level managers.   Continue reading “Amanda Kerney, Accounting”

A native of Ghana, Stancey Kwakwa says it was not easy to leave Africa’s Ivory Coast to come to America.  She moved to the U.S. before graduating from high school and spent her first five months learning how to navigate new schools, applying for colleges, and understanding what it was like to be a young teen in America.  It seems fitting that, just a few years later, Kwakwa began serving as a tutor and mentor to students enrolled in Leto High School’s English as a Second Language program.  Since English was not her first language, she understood many of the frustrations these students felt and enjoyed helping them with their own transitions, as well as their math and science lessons.

An accounting major, Kwakwa is a transfer student from Hillsborough Community College, joining USF as an honor student. She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society, the National Association of Black Accountants, and Golden Key Honor Society.  Continue reading “Stancey Kwakwa, Accounting”

 Born in Venezuela, Jaime Mizrahi is a dual-degree student with a passion for research. For the last two years, he has worked as an assistant with Dr. Gumersindo Rodriguez, a former minister of economics for the Venezuelan government and chairman to the World Bank. Mizrahi’s contributions helped with the successful publication of two Venezuelan economics books. Currently, the two are working jointly on a project involving a benefit-cost analysis of government-financed education aids in oil production countries.

A dean’s list scholar since his arrival at USF, Mizrahi is a participant in the College of Business Corporate Mentor Program and National Honor Society, as well as many student groups.  He is involved with the International Business Board, Latin American Student Association, and the Jewish Center. Continue reading “Jaime Mizrahi, Marketing and Economics”

USF is proud of its designation as a campus that is highly engaged in its community. Randell Nairn is highly engaged in her USF community. She has participated in countless professional development programs offered in the College of Business, such as etiquette dinners, networking and training events, and corporate tours.

She clearly enjoys living on campus. As a resident assistant, Nairn has planned programs for residents in the Bulls Business Community, a living-learning community for high-achieving students. Nairn also serves as the youngest residence life mentor and assists new resident assistants as they become acclimated to their new positions.  Continue reading “Randell Nairn, Economics”

Julio Novo, who came to the United States as a political refugee, graduated high school with an Associate in Arts degree.  Now pursuing a bachelor’s degree in finance from USF, Novo says he is interested in investments, financial analysis, and sustainability.  He is a member of the inaugural cohort for the Business Honors Program, which requires students to conduct research alongside USF business faculty.  His research project will be a study of best practices in global sustainable enterprises.

A disciplined, hardworking student who is passionate about community service, Novo is involved with Habitat for Humanity as well as several programs that serve underprivileged youth around the globe.  Continue reading “Julio Novo, Finance”

A member of USF’s Softball team, Alexis Nowell can manage a busy schedule.  The second baseman juggles weeks filled with mandatory workouts, study hall, three-hour practices, classes, homework, and studying, along with time spent on the field and travel time for away games.

Despite this schedule, Nowell has found time to participate in many service projects, often with fellow student-athletes.  Nowell says one of the most meaningful volunteer experiences was when the softball team hosted a dinner for the residents of Alpha House, serving pregnant women and newborns in crisis.  Nowell says spending time with these women, getting to know their stories, and helping care for babies helped her see life from a different perspective.  Continue reading “Alexis Nowell, General Business”

The first in his family to attend college, Alvaro Ruiz has proven to be successful with a 3.91 GPA while double majoring in finance and international business. He is a participant in the College of Business Corporate Mentor Program, and, after becoming a member of the Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, frequently volunteers within the Tampa Bay area. In fact, Ruiz has helped build several homes in the community via Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay, an organization that repairs the homes of low-income families that house senior citizens or persons with disabilities.

While many students find extra time to serve their community, Ruiz also serves his country as a soldier in the United States Army. Balancing the life and schedule of a citizen-soldier has not been an easy task – Ruiz has had to take mandatory breaks in his education in order to fulfill military duties. He says the Army has instilled in him discipline, motivation, and purpose – all tools that have helped him succeed in a classroom environment as well.  Continue reading “Alvaro Ruiz, International Business”

Steven Schertzer says that when he moved into the Bulls Business Community four years ago, he planned to study business and graduate in four years.  A soon-to-be alumnus majoring in finance and marketing, Schertzer has accomplished this goal but admits he never expected to grow and learn as much as he has along the way.

He credits the BBC with much of his professional growth.  As a resident, he rarely missed a professional development session or corporate tour.  He often volunteered to represent the BBC to corporate leaders and build relationships with faculty (relationships that eventually led to a part-time job).  Later, as the BBC’s resident assistant, it was his responsibility to plan programs, as well as encourage newer residents to volunteer and get involved in service projects or group activities.  Continue reading “Steven Schertzer, Finance and Marketing”

 Last year, Grant Sittig spent the summer serving as an intern with Jabil Circuit, where he rotated, in month-long stints, through the firm’s business operations.  He processed invoices, helped prepare technical documents alongside Jabil’s SEC Reporting and Technical Team, and performed internal audits.  Before his internship concluded, the firm extended an invitation for him to spend another summer as an intern in the financial services areas.

Prior to his internship with Jabil, the company reached out to Sittig, who has volunteered with several charitable organizations in the area, and asked him to spearhead a philanthropy project: to assist a foster home over the holidays.  He was lauded for his efforts to provide presents for 225 children who would otherwise go without gifts.  Continue reading “Grant Sittig, Accounting”

When he was evaluating his college options, part of the reason Aaj Solanki chose USF was the opportunity to be a part of the inaugural cohort for the Business Honors Program.  He was excited about the opportunities that this invitation-only program would provide.  Now that he has been here for a year, he has been able to examine case studies and exercise critical inquiry.  He has also been introduced to data mining and other tools that will help him prepare a thesis on airline network structures, which will contribute to future research on what makes an optimal network sustainable.

Though only a sophomore, Solanki is also involved with Beta Alpha Psi, an honors organization for accounting students, and was offered to serve as an intern with CBIZ Kirkland, Russ, Murphy, and Tapp but accepted an internship position at Marubeni Specialty Chemical and HighStreet Financial instead.

Continue reading “Aaj Solanki, Accounting”

For the past five years Silvia Soto Avella has been involved with Community Tampa Bay, a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote dialogue and respect among all cultures, religions, and races.  During its award-winning summer program, “Anytown,” Soto Avella is able to connect with local young adults by facilitating workshops on diversity and conflict solution with more than sixty teenagers per session.

Soto Avella is also involved with the national “Latinas Learning to Lead” program, which fosters the development of young women for the 21st century workforce.

At USF, she was a cast member for the USF Feminist Student Alliance production of the Vagina Monologues, a show that collected more than $10,000 for The Spring, Florida’s largest and busiest domestic violence shelter.  She also participated in the USF Dance Marathon, raising funds to serve families of All Children’s Hospital.  Continue reading “Silvia Soto Avella, Management Information Systems”

Frank Territo started his college career at St. Petersburg College, a full-time student who was also working full-time as a technician for Firemaster, a fire suppression system and equipment franchise based in Clearwater, FL.

He soon graduated from Pasco-Hernando Community College with a 4.0 grade point average and was recognized as PHCC’s “Honor Graduate,” a designation given to the student with the highest grade point average in the graduating class.

In 2009, Territo launched his own small business.  Three years later, he has been able to see how his business studies, particularly in the areas of accounts receivable and accounts payable, play out in the real world.

After transferring to USF, he immersed himself in the USF community without allowing his focus on academics to wane:  he currently has a 3.99 grade point average. Continue reading “Frank Territo, Finance”

Michael Tomaino was chosen as a 25 Under 25 honoree thanks to his academic performance, his participation in professional development programs, and his leadership outside of the classroom.

Double-majoring in finance and accounting (with a minor in economics), Tomaino is no stranger to homework. A member of the USF Honors College who has appeared on the dean’s list numerous times, Tomaino has received several academic awards, including the Accounting Achievement Award.

Outside of the classroom, Tomaino serves as a USF Ambassador, a presitigious appointment that allows him to represent the university at high-profile events and to work with the USF Alumni Association on a variety of projects.

Continue reading “Michael Tomaino, Accounting”