Retired Marriott CFO to receive Penn State’s 2021 Distinguished Alumni Award

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State Smeal College of Business graduate Carl Berquist is one of eight alumni to receive the 2021 Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest honor bestowed by Penn State. Berquist will accept the award on Saturday, Oct. 16.

Berquist began his career at Arthur Andersen LLP and spent 28 years with the firm in a variety of roles, including managing partner of the worldwide real estate and hospitality practice. He joined Marriott International in 2002 as executive vice president of financial information and enterprise risk management and was promoted to chief financial officer in 2009. In that role, he was responsible for global finance, including financial reporting, project finance, mergers and acquisitions, global treasury, corporate tax, internal audit and investor relations. 

Currently, he serves on the boards of Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores and Beacon Roofing Supply Inc. He previously served on the board of Hertz Global Holdings Inc.

Dean Charles H. Whiteman called the award a well-deserved recognition of his professional accomplishments, community service and tireless commitment to Penn State.

“When I think of altruism, Carl is always at the forefront of my mind,” he said. “His many professional achievements are worth celebrating, but it’s his tireless advocacy for our students that stands out to me. When Carl sees a need, he does not hesitate to step forward and fill it.”

Berquist is a member of the Smeal College of Business Board of Visitors, Smeal’s Institute for Real Estate Studies Advisory Board and the School of Hospitality Management Industry Advisory Board.

He was named a Presidential Counselor earlier this year.

Berquist and his wife created the Berquist Educational Equity Scholarship in the Smeal College of Business, Berquist Family Bunton-Waller Scholarship at Penn State, Berquist Family Real Estate Excellence Fund in the Smeal College of Business, Berquist Trustee Scholarship in the Smeal College of Business, Miriam Janice Roth Open Doors Scholarship, Berquist Accelerator Fund in the College of Health and Human Development, and the Carl and Roberta Berquist Trustee Matching Scholarship in the College of Health and Human Development.

They also have contributed to the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation Building Renovation for the College of Health and Human Development.

Berquist received Penn State’s Alumni Fellow Award, the highest award given by the Penn State Alumni Association, in 2018.

He said he was humbled to be chosen to receive the Distinguished Alumni Award.

“I consider Penn State to be the greatest university in the world,” he said. “I’m honored to be included among such accomplished alumni.”

The Distinguished Alumni Awards were authorized by the Board of Trustees in 1951. The principal purpose of the awards is to recognize and salute the achievements of outstanding alumni “whose personal life, professional achievements, and community service exemplify the objectives of The Pennsylvania State University.” Alumni are selected annually for this honor by the Board of Trustees from a group of candidates recommended by the trustees, faculty, staff and alumni.