Alumni & Friends News

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.

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.

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.

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 (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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

“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 (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.

“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).

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. 

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.

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.

Fisher students gathered for one important mission: to show their appreciation for donors.

The new leader of one of the largest banks in Central Ohio is a 24-year industry veteran who's rarely stood still during her ascent through the ranks. Mary Auch (MBA '04) has been named president of the Central Ohio market for PNC Bank.

Cindy Hilsheimer (BSBA ’79) talks leadership with Women & Philanthropy.

Learn more about how Zac Graber (BSBA '18), a recipient of Ohio State's President's Prize, is improving the waste management process and diverting more refuse to composting and recycling.

When the Fisher Association of Marketing Professionals (AMP) began evaluating candidates for its 2019 Marketer of the Year award, one name consistently rose to the top of the list: Russ Klein (BSBA ’79), CEO of the American Marketing Association.