Alumni & Friends News

At Acura, premium cars start with inspired engineers
March 25, 2020
Bustle

At Acura, premium cars start with inspired engineers

Hard working, academically talented and naturally curious, Sarah Boylan has always placed a premium on education. Check out her journey to becoming an engineer at Acura, and how a business leadership certification she earned at Fisher is complementing her engineering skills at the auto manufacturer.
March 4, 2020
FBI

FBI Cincinnati presents Director’s Community Leadership Award to Laith Khalaf

Special Agent in Charge Chris Hoffman FBI Cincinnati presented the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award to Columbus businessman and Fisher alumnus Laith Khalaf this week.
Mangurian Foundation $10 million gift to support six diverse Ohio State areas
February 26, 2020
The Ohio State University

Mangurian Foundation $10 million gift to support six diverse Ohio State areas

The Harry T. Mangurian, Jr. Foundation is making its largest-ever gift to The Ohio State University – $10 million to support dementia and leukemia research, cancer drug development, health and wellness initiatives for student-athletes and scholarships for graduate business students at Fisher.
Terina Matthews-Davis headshot
February 13, 2020
Max M. Fisher College of Business

Meet Terina Matthews-Davis

Terina Matthews-Davis (MA ’96, MLHR ’98) is a double Buckeye whose enthusiasm and support for Ohio State knows no bounds. A senior vice president and head of Corporate & Investment Banking Program Management at Wells Fargo, Matthews-Davis shares the story of her success as a student, why she gives back and why Ohio Stadium continues to occupy a special place in her heart.
Ohio State graduate works to connect people with criminal records to jobs
February 5, 2020
WOSU

Ohio State graduate works to connect people with criminal records to jobs

Harley Blakeman (BSBA '17) overcame self-inflicted hurdles to become an entrepreneur dedicated to helping others who made similar mistakes find jobs.
Portrait of Corky Kessler on Fisher's campus
February 5, 2020
Max M. Fisher College of Business

Corky Kessler: A leader in show business

From first serving as a criminal prosecutor in Chicago to finding his calling as an entertainment lawyer, Hal “Corky” Kessler (BSBA ’71) has consistently leaned on the skills and principles he acquired as an undergraduate marketing student at Ohio State.
Bill Troxil and his sons, Will and Ryan outside Fisher Hall.
January 17, 2020
Max M. Fisher College of Business

Business and Ohio State: A Troxil family legacy

Legacy can be a funny thing: if you spend too much time trying to manufacture one, then that singular focus can become what you’re known for. Letting your decisions, your work and your priorities speak for themselves, however, can leave a quiet, powerful and indelible mark on others. It's something that Bill Troxil (BSBA ’75) has tried to do for his sons, Ryan and Will.
Cynthia Turner portrait
January 3, 2020
Max M. Fisher College of Business

Meet Fisher’s new chief diversity officer: Cynthia Turner

Assistant Dean and Chief Diversity Officer Cynthia Turner has always been a trailblazer. In 1996 she became the first African-American woman to earn a PhD in accounting from The Ohio State University and now, more than 20 years later, she is the first such woman to be named to the dean’s leadership team at Fisher in its recorded history.
Former felon starts website to help ex-criminals find jobs
December 24, 2019
The Columbus Dispatch

Former felon starts website to help ex-criminals find jobs

Check out the story of Harley Blakeman (BSBA '17), a former felon who graduated from Fisher with a business degree, whose new venture is connecting companies with formerly incarcerated individuals in search of work.
Chimdi Checkwa readies for a play at an Ohio State football game in The Shoe
December 12, 2019
Max M. Fisher College of Business

A new start(up): Chimdi Chekwa

Throughout his career as a professional football player and now as an entrepreneur, Chimdi Chekwa’s (BSBA ’11) accounting degree from Fisher has been there for him all along.
Gary Price hangs out with family and friends inside The Shoe.
December 6, 2019
Max M. Fisher College of Business

Alum's passion for accounting and Ohio State are always trending

Spend just a few minutes scrolling through Gary Price’s social media feed and it’s easy to see what he’s passionate about: accounting, diversity and inclusion and Ohio State. A lot of Ohio State. While it’s only a snapshot into part of Price’s life, @garyprice_osu provides a glimpse into just how much pride the 1983 graduate has for Ohio State and the lengths he’s willing to go to support not only students but even strangers-turned-friends.
Bill Baumel brings Silicon Valley cred to Ohio universities' VC drive
November 26, 2019
Columbus CEO

Bill Baumel brings Silicon Valley cred to Ohio universities' VC drive

Bill Baumel (BSBA '90), the managing director of the Ohio Innovation Fund, has the background to lead the $40 million venture capital fund, which he's helped build into what  he calls the top venture entrepreneurship training for students in the country.
Press Southworth III portrait in front of a white block O
November 7, 2019
Max M. Fisher College of Business

Meet Press Southworth III: Veteran, arts leader, alumnus

A decorated U.S. Army veteran, Press Southworth III (BSBA ’75) shares his story about being a first-generation student at Ohio State, the accounting and business leaders that shaped him, and the career shift that took him from accounting into the arts.
2019 Alumni Award recipients
October 31, 2019
Max M. Fisher College of Business

2019 Alumni Award winners recognized for their leadership, global impact and service

As part of its 2019 Alumni Awards celebration, The Ohio State University Max M. Fisher College of Business proudly honored six individuals for their leadership, dedication and service across a number of industries and in communities throughout the United States.
Mark Yale Harris with a gray sculpture of smooth lined person with hand under chin
October 15, 2019
Max M. Fisher College of Business

From suites to sculpture: Creativity a constant throughout alumnus’ career

For Mark Yale Harris (BSBA '61), creativity has been a constant throughout his professional career — in business as a co-founder of Red Roof Inns, and now, as a renowned sculpture artist.
Tyson Suite dedication
September 17, 2019
Max M. Fisher College of Business

Tyson family continues its commitment to diversity and inclusion

From sharing his story with Fisher students, to serving on the college’s Dean’s Advisory Council, to supporting graduate students through scholarships, Jesse Tyson’s (MBA '76) pride in his Ohio State roots is immense. Now, that legacy of engagement is a permanent part of the Fisher campus. Together with his wife, Cheryl, the family was recently honored for their generosity in the creation of the Cheryl and Jesse Tyson Diversity and Inclusion Suite.
August 16, 2019
The Ohio State University Alumni Association

A good life shared

Ohio State students and alumni such as Cal Wible (BSBA '49, MBA '50) have made the Buck-I-SERV alternative break program a gift to communities in need and an example for others to follow. Journey to Florida with a recent contingent of students to see how these efforts brought joy to their young charges.
August 13, 2019
The Ohio State University Alumni Association

Get to know alumni board member Janelle Jordan

“Dedicated to what I believe in.” That, in her own words, describes Janelle Jordan (BSBA '98) to the core, and her dedication to Ohio State and her Buckeye family is undeniable.
Paula Bennett
August 5, 2019
AACSB

How mentorship spurred retail careers of two AACSB Influential Leaders

Paula Bennett (BSBA '71) established herself as a leader in the retail industry and was recently recognized by the AACSB as an Influential Leader. Bennett attributes much of her success to the mentor relationships that started at Fisher.
Lindsey Stencel
July 30, 2019
Columbus CEO

Alumna on being a woman venture capital partner: ‘It’s not going to be Sesame Street’

“When I blasted into (the venture capital) ecosystem in 2016, it was like people did not know what to do with me because it was all men, all 50 and older, all white. And I come tearing in,” said Lindsay Karas Stencel (MBA '09).
Andrew Benson headshot
July 16, 2019
Max M. Fisher College of Business

Meet Andrew Benson

Andrew Benson (BSBA ’17) shares how an early interest in computer programming and technology eventually led to a degree in management information syst
July 15, 2019
Columbus CEO

As coworking booms in Columbus, independents ready for national players

Danielle Lim is the co-founder of another Grandview space with Melissa Blackburn, whom she met while getting her MBA at Fisher College of Business. One Thursday evening after what Blackburn describes as a “girl boss” event, they were both feeling inspired and Lim mentioned an NPR piece she heard on coworking spaces. By Tuesday, they were looking at the building that now houses Haven Collective on Riverside Drive. 
July 12, 2019
Columbus Business First

Rachel Friedman on how owning a business is like flying on a trapeze – without a net

As part of Columbus Business First’s Women of Influence podcast, Rachel Friedman (EMBA ’02) shares her entrepreneurial journey and the incredible impact her Executive MBA degree from Fisher has had on her success as the founder and CEO of TENFOLD.
May 28, 2019
Fisher College of Business

Passion, purpose and perspective

See how Accounting Honors student Tommy Lowden is making the most of his Fisher experience — from studying and interning abroad, to making an impact locally through volunteering — thanks to donor support.
Damon and Karyn Frost decked out in Buckeye gear inside The Shoe.
May 10, 2019
Max M. Fisher College of Business

Alumni couple share their Fisher experience

Damon (BSBA ’96) and Karyn Frost (BSBA ’97) met as undergraduate business students at Ohio State, got married and have each established successful car