BGS Student Scholarships

Honor, wisdom and earnestness: these are the core ideals of Beta Gamma Sigma.

Each year, Beta Gamma Sigma recognizes a select group of students - who truly embody these three essential qualities - with scholarships.  Students chosen as scholarship recipients have proven themselves to be among the “best in business.”

This year, Beta Gamma Sigma and its partner Deans recognized over 100 worthy recipients, awarding more than $100,000 in scholarship funds. With this latest round of awards, the BGS Scholarship Program has surpassed the milestone $1,000,000 mark.

High achievement in the study of business, along with a strong desire to succeed professionally, sets each BGS scholarship recipient apart from the pack and on the road to success.

The following is just a glimpse at some of the many excellent scholarship recipients chosen for 2005. A complete list of recipients is available at http://www.betagammasigma.org/scholarshiprecipients05.htm.

 

Barry J. Dunne
Serving in the United State Marines for four years before starting his collegiate career, Barry Dunne is no stranger to the concept of honor.  Dunne, a second-year MBA student at Western Illinois University, has proven himself as a leader both inside and outside the classroom.

Dunne posted an impressive 3.94 cumulative grade point average during his undergraduate studies at WIU, earning a 4.0 average in his major, Information Management. After graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2004, Dunne chose to further his business education. He has since continued his high level of academic success, again earning a 4.0 in his graduate business studies.

Dunne attributes much of his success to his time in the military. “It instilled a drive and motivation to succeed that I lacked as a high school student,” he said. “Without the military, I may not have learned to lead or gained the inspiration to excel in my endeavors.”

In addition to his classroom achievement, Dunne has also proven himself with his work experience.  Serving as Organizational Finance Officer for WIU’s Office of Student Activities, Dunne manages the financial accounts of more than 70 student organizations. Through this graduate assistantship, Dunne is the internal auditor of approximately $1,000,000 and is responsible for all financial activities involving funded organizations.

Dunne is confident that this position will help him after graduation. “I know of no other graduate assistantship that is preparing a student for a career in business more than the position I am in.”

Dunne, a Winter 2005 Beta Gamma Sigma Student Leadership Forum participant, is scheduled to graduate in May 2006.

 

Lacyn J. Thorkelson
Achieving success in the study of business is no easy task.  Succeeding academically in business while completing a degree in a second field is monumental. Lacyn Thorkelson did just that.

Thorkelson, a senior studying Agricultural Business at Fort Lewis College, not only maintained a high GPA in her business education, but also completed a degree in Mortuary Science at the same time. 

“Looking back on it, 37 credit hours in one semester was a bit much, but it was worth the time and energy,” she explained.  “Receiving my Mortuary Science degree gave me a feeling of accomplishment and the extra drive I needed to work toward completing my business degree.”

Since receiving her Mortuary Science degree, Thorkelson has started working as a board certified funeral director and embalmer. She has also previously worked as a model and a horse trainer.

It was while recovering from a near-fatal horse training accident that she chose her current career path. "Upon waking from a coma, and going through physical therapy, I decided that a career as a mortician would give me the opportunity to help people when they need it most,” she said.

“As a funeral director, I had to learn how to develop trusting relationships with client families as a caregiver. “

Thorkelson, a Spring 2005 Beta Gamma Sigma inductee, is expected to finish her business degree in Spring 2006.  

 

Eugene Tutunikov
With graduation fast approaching, Eugene Tutunikov has already compiled a résumé that would turn many business professionals green with envy. 

In addition to earning a 3.76 Grade Point Average at New York University’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business, Tutunikov has gained many invaluable work experiences along the way.

“Beginning with my freshman year, I made a conscious decision to try to gain as much hands-on experience as I could,” Tutunikov said. “I can see now that it was the right thing to do.”

Tutunikov, who is majoring in Finance and Economics and minoring in Mathematics, has interned at several New York City banks and firms including Munich Re Capital Management and AIG-AIU Commercial Lines. 

Adding an international flair to his experiences, Tutunikov spent the Spring 2004 semester studying abroad at New York University in London where he earned a 4.0 GPA.  Tutunikov, who is fluent in both Spanish and Russian, has also interned in the IT department of the United Nations.  Volunteering with the group Renaissance Technology Solutions, Tutunikov has also worked with newly arrived immigrants, providing them with computer training.

According to Adam Hocke, Student Life Administrator of the Stern School of Business, Tutunikov is an “excellent leader with an ability to multitask and succeed in any field.” 

Tutunikov was inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma in Spring 2005, and is expected to graduate this December.  Following graduation, Tutunikov hopes to work for one of New York City’s leading financial services company.

 

Katherine Yihua Chu
As a senior at Georgetown University, Katherine Chu has left her mark both on and off the college campus.  Chu, an Accounting and Finance major, has not only attained academic success in the classroom, but has proven to be a leader in the community.

Chu, President of Georgetown University’s TaeKwonDo club, is the founder of two self-defense programs for underprivileged children.  The programs, located in Washington, D.C. and Southeast Texas, are designed to not only improve participants’ self-defense skills but also improve self-esteem and encourage education.

Working with Medical Services International, Chu taught English to ethnic minority high school students in the Sichuan Province of China.  She has also donated her time to various other service programs, ranging from back-to-school programs to tsunami relief.

In recognition of her work in the community, Chu was presented the Association of Chinese-American Professionals Leadership Award.

On campus, Chu has also demonstrated her leadership skills and business acumen with the Georgetown University Student Investment Fund, a student-run organization managing over $200,000 in stocks.  As part of GUSIF, Chu has served as the group’s treasurer and Vice President of Trading.

Chu used her investment know-how during summer internships with Smith Barney, where she pitched IPOs to the Branch Manager.

Betsy Page Sigman, Visiting Assistant Professor at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, said that Chu “has a myriad of talents and strengths.”

“Academically, she is at the very top and her strong record of service to the community tells a lot about her excellent character,” said Sigman.

Chu, who plans on graduating in May 2006, was inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma in Spring 2005.