UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Smeal College of Business inducted its latest class of Hammond Society members and the recipients of its 2024 Alumni Awards on April 4 in the Business Building Atrium.
“Smeal alumni profoundly impact the college in myriad ways. We are grateful for their contributions and are honored to recognize this group of individuals for their professional achievements and selfless volunteer contributions,” said Charles H. Whiteman, John and Karen Arnold Dean of Smeal.
The Smeal Alumni Society Board of Directors recognizes those who demonstrate leadership and service, work to further diversity and sustainability efforts and attain outstanding career achievements, which enhance the prestige of the college.
Nominations are solicited annually from Smeal faculty, staff, students and alumni.
A full description of each award can be found by clicking on the name of the award in the following list:
- Diversity Leadership Award
- Gerald I. Susman Sustainability Leadership Award
- Outstanding Young Professional Award
- Service to Smeal Award
- Distinguished Achievement Award
A full biography for each honoree can be found by clicking on the name of each recipient.
2024 award recipients:
Diversity Leadership Award
David M. Marcinek, bachelor of science in finance in 1993
Chairman and CEO, Venerable Holdings, Inc.
Gerald I. Susman Sustainability Leadership Award
Brett Cotten, bachelor of science in biochemistry and molecular biology, with a minor in engineering entrepreneurship, in 2018
Founder, Arda Biomaterials
Outstanding Young Professional Award
Lindsey N. Grillot, bachelor of science in supply chain and information systems in 2015
Director of commerce, Ziff Davis
Kyle T. Wang, bachelor of science in finance in 2014
Co-founder and managing partner, Valhalla Capital
Service to Smeal Award
Jennifer Eggers, bachelor of science in marketing in 1994
President, LeaderShiftInsights® Inc.
Frederik Wenzel, bachelor of science in management in 1991
President and CEO, Schuetz Group, Americas region
Distinguished Achievement Award
Michelle Harmon-Madsen, bachelor of science in marketing in 1989
Chief marketing officer, SponsorUnited
Mindy Z. Longo, bachelor of science in marketing in 2001
Co-founder, IMPACT Diablo Valley
Greg Reed, bachelor of science in finance in 1991
Group CEO, Places for People
Salomon Sredni, bachelor of science in accounting in 1987
Founder, partner, managing director, Ocean Azul Partners & co-founder, Cronwell, Inc.
Sherise D. Curd, bachelor of science in management in 1993 and a master of business administration in 1997
Vice president, human resources, Hewlett Packard Enterprise for HPE Operations
Hammond Society inductees were also honored during the awards ceremony. Danny Levine, who earned a bachelor of science in accounting in 2016, and Michael Snyderman, who earned a bachelor of science in management science and information systems in 1995, are the newest members. This honorary society is named in recognition of the late Dean Emeritus J.D. Hammond and recognizes alumni who have dedicated years of ongoing service to the college and completed their terms on the Alumni Society Board. The board would also like to recognize posthumous inductee Robert Emrich, who earned a bachelor of science in accounting in 1990. Emrich was a devoted volunteer who served five years on the Alumni Society Board before his passing on Oct. 17, 2023.