Alumni & Friends News

Dawn Lyons, husband, daughter and son posing O-H-I-O
December 14, 2020
Max M. Fisher College of Business

Embracing change and championing children: Dawn Lyons

Embracing change took Fisher alumna Dawn Lyons (BSBA ’01) from a career marketing consumer product goods to leading an Emmy award-winning team with passion and purpose.
Former Ohio State All-American scores in commercial real estate market
December 10, 2020
The Columbus Dispatch

Former Ohio State All-American scores in commercial real estate market

Burdened with the challenges many athletes face upon retirement, Mike Doss (MBOE '19) has successfully transitioned to the real estate space under Bob Weiler.
David McGrath outside on Fisher's campus with Mason Hall in background
December 10, 2020
Max M. Fisher College of Business

David McGrath: Enriching his education

Making the most of his time outside the classroom, David McGrath aligns his passions and interests to create a multi-faceted business education.
Alum’s new venture keeping Buckeye football fans connected
December 4, 2020
The Ohio State University Alumni Association

Alum’s new venture keeping Buckeye football fans connected

Go behind the scenes inside Ohio Stadium as Joe DiPietro (BSBA ’04) talks about how empty seats this fall provided a new and creative opportunity to connect Ohio State fans. His venture not only gave football fans a safe way to show their support, but it also provided a meaningful way to connect generations of Buckeye family and friends. 
There's a Better Way Podcast: Julia Yontz (EMBA '20)
December 2, 2020
Fisher College of Business

There's a Better Way Podcast: Julia Yontz (EMBA '20)

As part of the “There’s a Better Way” podcast, Kelly Meyers, executive MBA coordinator, talks with 2020 EMBA graduate Julia Yontz, about how she managed her professional career and her family life while going back to school. Yontz shares why she chose to pursue her Executive MBA while balancing work and growing her family simultaneously.
Lion Cub's Cookies grows up
November 25, 2020
Columbus CEO

Lion Cub's Cookies grows up

From engineering to grad school to founding a bakery, Brad Kaplan’s (MBA ’19) professional journey has been anything but typical. Read about how a hobby, discovered as an MBA student, has become a full-time career, and the valuable 
Satya Chauhan points to a strategic management sign.
November 18, 2020
Max M. Fisher College of Business

Business and science synergies: Satya Chauhan

There is no one-size-fits-all career path for those with business degrees. Meet Satya Chauhan (MBA ’78), an alumnus who has put his graduate business degree to work leading research and development projects at Battelle for more than four decades.
Brian Folmer poses in front of a colorful wall
November 2, 2020
Max M. Fisher College of Business

A foundation built for entrepreneurship: Brian Folmer 

See how the combination of different on-campus experiences, global opportunities and Ohio State’s alumni network helped shape Brian Folmer’s (BSBA ’11) development as a Fisher student and fostered his curiosity and passion for entrepreneurship. 
Zac Graber wearing a scarlet shirt in front of Mason Hall
October 26, 2020
Max M. Fisher College of Business

Getting started in the startup world: Zac Graber

Zac Graber (BSBA ’18) discovered his passion for entrepreneurship at Ohio State, a journey that ultimately culminated in his selection as a recipient of the President’s Prize, the university's highest recognition bestowed on exceptional students committed to social change.
Marilyn Rogers Becker and her dog, Molly outside in snow by red house
October 21, 2020
Max M. Fisher College of Business

Marilyn Rogers Becker: Leaving her legacy

Marilyn Rogers Becker loved being an entrepreneur and she loved Ohio State. From operating her first business in elementary school to teaching her dog
Jay Clouse
October 15, 2020
The Ohio State University Alumni Association

One Degree Greater podcast: Jay Clouse (BSBA '14)

Meet Jay Clouse, a serial entrepreneur and self-described connector who feeds on the energy created by small groups of people who are passionate about what they do.
One Degree Greater podcast: Sam Hubbard (BSBA '17)
October 8, 2020
The Ohio State University Alumni Association

One Degree Greater podcast: Sam Hubbard (BSBA '17)

Football fans view him as a gladiator, but Sam Hubbard continues to define himself in ways beyond his sport.
Brad Hunstable named the top CEO for 2020 in recognition of Linear Labs leadership
October 2, 2020
Yahoo! Finance

Brad Hunstable named the top CEO for 2020 in recognition of Linear Labs leadership

Linear Labs received another major accolade with the announcement of the company's co-founder and CEO, Brad Hunstable (MBA '05), being named 2020 Top Private Company CEO of the Year by Fort Worth Business Press. 
Sophisticated Systems CEO runs a business so he can give back to the community
September 30, 2020
Columbus CEO

Sophisticated Systems CEO runs a business so he can give back to the community

Dwight Smith (BSBA '78, MBA '79) runs Sophisticated Systems like a parent runs a household. In the midst of a pandemic, he puts his employees’ health, safety and peace of mind first. Learn more about Smith's passions and how they extend well beyond business.
Howard Patton and Brandon Smith smile as the put their arms around each other's shoulders
September 28, 2020
Max M. Fisher College of Business

Looking back and paying forward: The impact of global experiences

In 2010, Brandon Smith and Howard Patton took advantage of a global program offered at Fisher to experience how life and business were conducted internationally.
A smiling Jada Washington in cap and gown outside Ohio Stadium
September 22, 2020
Max M. Fisher College of Business

Job searching in the era of COVID-19 

Jada Washington (BSBA ’20) leaned on some familiar faces at Fisher to help land her first job in a crowded workforce.
Recent Ohio State grad seeks to raise $52 million for nonprofits one dollar at a time
July 29, 2020
The Columbus Dispatch

Recent Ohio State grad seeks to raise $52 million for nonprofits one dollar at a time

Read about the positive impact that Imran Nuri (BSBA '20) has made in the Columbus community through the work of his own newly launched nonprofit effort, the 52 Million Project. The concept behind his organization is simple: donors pledge to donate $1 a week for a year, and every week a portion is donated to a different nonprofit in the region.
A Buckeye candy being dipped in chocolate.
July 20, 2020
Max M. Fisher College of Business

A commencement marked with congratulatory confections

When COVID-19 derailed plans for the university’s Class of 2020 Spring Commencement, Fisher wanted to ensure that the accomplishments of the college’s newest alumni were recognized. Thanks to Marsha’s Homemade Buckeyes and the power of networks, the hard work of the Class of 2020 was sweetly celebrated.
Leading the way from a pivotal role
June 10, 2020
The Ohio State University Alumni Association

Leading the way from a pivotal role

Responding to massive challenges such as the coronavirus pandemic requires the ability to skillfully perform as part of an ensemble cast. It’s hard to imagine anyone better suited for the role than Andrew Thomas (MD ’95, MBA '00), chief clinical officer of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
Mackenzie Hitchcock headshot
June 10, 2020
Max M. Fisher College of Business

Accounting alumna honored for CPA performance 

For many accounting graduates, passing the CPA exam can be a daunting task. It was for Mackenzie Hitchcock, but the MAcc alumna did far better than simply pass the exam. She earned accolades for her performance on it.  
Need to store stuff? Thanks to Ohio State grad, there's an app for that
June 10, 2020
The Columbus Dispatch

Need to store stuff? Thanks to Ohio State grad, there's an app for that

NXTSTOR, an app created by recent finance graduate Brandon Gotlieb that matches users with rentable storage spaces, is set to launch June 19.
Lindsay Karas Stencel brings enthusiasm and flair to Thompson Hine
May 28, 2020
Columbus CEO

Lindsay Karas Stencel brings enthusiasm and flair to Thompson Hine

The first thing people notice about Lindsay Karas Stencel (MBA '09, JD '09) is her outgoing personality, brightly colored clothes and flamboyant earrings. There’s plenty of substance behind all this style.
N95 masks
May 15, 2020
Max M. Fisher College of Business

Will Lange (BSBA ’00): Equipping those who protect us 

What happens when you’re able to spot a deadly pandemic, but the playbook for responding to it is a century old? 
For alumnus Will Lange, president and general manager of Honeywell’s Personal Protective Equipment division, the answer meant acting quickly and decisively in the face of the COVID-19 outbreak.  
Jazz Arts Group CEO on surviving COVID-19: 'It takes a while to get your strength back'
May 4, 2020
WOSU

Jazz Arts Group CEO on surviving COVID-19: 'It takes a while to get your strength back'

Press Southworth III (BSBA '75), CEO of the Jazz Arts Group, is among the more than 15,000 Ohioans who have contracted COVID-19 and lived to tell the story. He shares his thoughts on falling ill and his subsequent recovery.
Watershed Distillery pivots from gin to hand sanitizer
April 3, 2020
WOSU

Alumnus leads Watershed Distillery's pivot from gin to hand sanitizer

In addition to producing bourbon, gin and other liquors, Columbus distillery Watershed is now making and selling its own hand sanitizer. Owner Greg Lehman (BSBA '01) says it's the company's way of keeping people safe during the COVID-19 pandemic while also bringing back employees who had been laid off.