Fisher College of Business recognized the many contributions of its top students, educators and leaders at the college’s 2020 Pace Setters Awards event.

The annual awards recognize the top 1 percent of undergraduate students at Fisher, based on academic performance, leadership and service. Faculty with teaching appointments throughout the college are recognized for their contributions to Fisher’s faculty mission of teaching, research and service. The awards are a yearly tradition that dates back to the inaugural group of Pace Setters in 1961.

With Dean Anil Makhija presenting awards, a pair of former Pace Setters — Tim Paridon (BSBA ’07) and Jaret Waters — served as emcees for the event.

“Your achievements and the success and impact you continue to have add to the value, reputation and prestige of the Pace Setters brand and our Fisher College of Business degrees,” Waters, who received last year’s Walter M. Rudin Junior Award, told the 2020 honorees. “Thank you for everything you do to keep our legacy strong and vibrant, and thank you for making time to be here today to welcome the newest Pace Setters to our ranks.”

Bill Baumel (BSBA ’90) was named the Pace Setters Executive Award winner. As managing director of the Ohio Innovation Fund, a $40 million venture capital fund created by Ohio State and Ohio University, Baumel directs the organization’s efforts to diversify their investments, create pathways to the commercialization of work being done in their labs and to give students a real taste of entrepreneurship.

Every year, 50 college students from universities across Ohio – Ohio State included – take part in the fund’s Student Experience Program — and another 50 are placed in internships at partner startups. The program is one of the top venture entrepreneurship training opportunities for students in the country.

“Bill is helping establish the state as a leader in innovation and entrepreneurial curiosity — all while connecting future leaders with opportunities to experience, understand and immerse themselves in the venture capital and startup spaces,” said Dean Anil K. Makhija.

More than 80 students were named Pace Setters Award winners, with five receiving recognition with special awards.

Click on photo for slideshow.

Special Student Awards (with nominating testimonial)

The Jack W. Stephenson Award: Irene Li

“From her classroom comments, I was repeatedly impressed by her knowledge of finance that went far beyond the material taught in my classes or other undergraduate finance classes at Fisher. Many of her comments were of the level I would expect from an MBA or even PhD student, but not of an undergrad.”

Walter M. Rudin Junior Award: Hannah Grosel

“Hannah is an enthusiastic, hard-working and very bright student who is a leader in the classroom. She makes others around her better by how she approaches her work.”

Katherine Porter Allen Award: Alexandra Smith

“Alexandra is a “go-to” person when consultants or student organizations leaders have concerns or questions. Her impact upon our office is astounding due to her commitment and dedication concerning the student experience.”

S. Maurice Bostic and Birch S.M. Bostic Memorial Award: Sam Myers

“I have had the pleasure of seeing Sam in action both as a student and a leader of a student organization. Simply put, Sam is the kind of person people want to have on their team. The passion and excitement he brings to a situation is contagious and raises the energy level of everyone around him.”

Robert E. Georges Senior Award: Brandon Weis

“He was one of the top students in a class that was filled with high achievers. Brandon is definitely a ‘best-of-the-best’ student with a high degree of intellectual curiosity.”

Faculty Awards (with nominating testimonial)

Bostic-Georges Faculty Service Award: Steffanie Wilk

“Steffanie has been a trusted voice on countless hiring and PhD committees at Fisher and is always available to provide valuable and constructive feedback — all in service to the college.”

Faculty Research Award: Jasmine Hu

“Professor Hu has attained a remarkable record that we do not ordinarily see in a relative newcomer to our field. I am confident that she will have a productive career, will continue to advance our field, and will continue to make considerable contributions to our field.”

Westerbeck Undergraduate Teaching Award: Maria Landekhovskaya

“Maria brings amazing energy and passion to the Marketing Strategy course. She has a lot of great experiences to share from her past job roles and offers a unique perspective on different marketing topics, especially ones related to global marketing.”

Westerbeck Graduate Teaching Award: Roger Bailey

“He was one of the top-5 professors or teachers I've ever had for any subject. It’s professors like Roger that inspire generations of students to enter the business world and tackle big problems.”