Marriott School Names 2008 Hawes Scholars

Back L to R: Juan Quilantan, Kevin Brandvold, Scott Creer and Lincoln Walpole; Front L to R: Rachael Hawkins, Sarah Davis, Aaron Mckay and Jeremy Wright

PROVO, Utah — Feb 05, 2008 — Brigham Young University’s Marriott School of Management has announced eight MBA candidates as its 2008 Hawes Scholars. The honor, which carries a cash award of $10,000, is the highest distinction given to second-year MBA students at the school.

“These students have impressed both the MBA faculty and classmates with their tendency to make the most out of their opportunities,” says Craig Merrill, MBA program director. “They make good things happen, and that is how we want students to represent BYU.”

The 2008 Marriott School Hawes Scholars are Kevin Brandvold, of San Francisco; Scott Creer, of Troy, Mich.; Sarah Davis, of Bellingham, Wash.; Rachael Hawkins, of Spokane, Wash.; Aaron McKay, of Pleasant View, Utah; Juan Quilantan, of Veracruz, Mexico; Lincoln Walpole, of Mapleton, Utah; and Jeremy Wright, of Provo.

Nominations for the Hawes Scholars are made by students and faculty and voted on by both groups. Final selection is made by the Hawes Scholar Committee. Selection is based on academic performance, leadership maturity and a commitment to high ethical standards. Named for successful corporate executive Rodney A. Hawes Jr. and his wife, Beverly, the award was created in 1998 to recognize the accomplishments of graduating MBA students.

The Hawes Scholar award is one of many initiatives made possible by the Hawes Endowment, a gift of more than $2 million used to facilitate the growth and enhancement of the Marriott School’s nationally ranked MBA program. Mr. Hawes, a Baker Scholar from the Harvard Business School, and his wife wanted to create a tradition at the Marriott School that recognizes and rewards excellence among students entering the business world. He served as chairman and CEO of Life Re Corporation, a leading provider of life reinsurance in the United States. In addition to being widely recognized for his expertise in financial matters, Hawes has a reputation for integrity, hard work and community service.

The Marriott School is located at Brigham Young University, the largest privately owned, church-sponsored university in the United States. The school has nationally recognized programs in accounting, business management, public management, information systems and entrepreneurship. The school’s mission is to prepare men and women of faith, character and professional ability for positions of leadership throughout the world. Approximately 3,000 students are enrolled in the Marriott School’s graduate and undergraduate programs.

Hawes Scholar Bios

BYU sports fan Kevin Brandvold , from San Francisco, graduated magna cum laude with a degree in finance from BYU in 2002. Prior to returning to his alma mater, Kevin worked as a U.S. tax analyst for Ernst & Young and later TransCanada Pipelines. During his MBA career, Kevin completed a summer internship with The Hershey Company with the Reese’s peanut butter cup brand. A Marriott School Dean’s Scholar, Kevin plans to work for ConAgra Food in Omaha, Neb., as an assistant brand manager after graduation. “Because I had a great undergraduate experience at BYU, I set high expectations for the MBA program. I can honestly say it has far exceeded all of them,” Brandvold says. “Not only has the program prepared me to succeed in my chosen field but also to serve in all capacities of my life.”

As an undergraduate communications major at BYU, Scott Creer , from Troy, Mich., was sports editor for the campus newspaper, The Daily Universe. His writing experience led him to join a public relations agency focused in the technology market, where he worked for three years after graduation. Now as an organizational behavior and human resources major, Scott serves as vice president of the OB/HR Student Association for which he oversees alumni relations. After a summer internship with Procter & Gamble, Creer has accepted an offer as assistant human resource manager in the company. “I’m looking forward to starting my career in human resources. I want to help others become more effective in the changing business world,” Creer says. “I feel strongly that the Marriott School has prepared me well for future challenges.”

MBA marketing major Sarah Davis , from Bellingham, Wash., established a background in the marketing field after earning an undergraduate degree in technical sales from Weber State University in 2001. Prior to attending BYU, Sarah worked for Prentice Hall Publishing as a business and economics sales director. Currently, Sarah is taking full advantage of the experiences available through the MBA program, including being a BYU Ambassador in an effort to promote the school. As part of her MBA experience, she also spent part of last summer in Ghana helping with the micro-finance efforts of a nonprofit organization. “I have learned a lot about myself and who I am by observing and becoming friends with many amazing people in the MBA program,” Davis says. “One of my greatest desires is that women all over the world can see their full potential and understand their immeasurable value.”

After earning a master’s degree in chemical engineering from Columbia University, Rachael Hawkins , from Spokane, Wash., entered the investment banking industry as an analyst in global investment research for Goldman Sachs. Now the MBA finance major is an associate director of Cougar Capital, a student-run investment fund, and she also teaches on the topic of investment banking to Marriott School students. The experience with Cougar Capital led Rachael and her team to a third-place finish in the 2007 International Venture Capital Investment Competition at the University of North Carolina. “I like the focus on serving one another and building relationships and not just on networking for the purposes of advancing one’s career,” Hawkins says. “I am grateful for the opportunity to give back to this great institution through my ongoing participation in the program.

Aaron McKay , from Pleasant View, Utah, graduated magna cum laude with a degree in finance from Weber State University, where he was also recognized as Outstanding Management Graduate of the Year. Prior to his MBA career, he worked for SkyWest Airlines managing the training and compliance of company employees and contractors. Now as a second-year MBA candidate, Aaron has participated in starting a nonprofit water technology business in Mozambique, where the team created sustainable development support through local employees. Complimentary to that experience was his financial internship at American Express last summer. “I never dreamed of having the experiences I had while in the program,” McKay says. “I truly feel indebted to BYU for the education I have received, and I pledge to honor my commitment to the university’s mission after graduation.”

Growing up in a single parent household, Juan Quilantan knew attending college was essential to his future, an aspect that motivated him to earn an undergraduate degree in finance from BYU. Juan returned to his native Mexico after graduating and worked for athletic footwear company Converse as a financial country manager. Upon returning to BYU as an MBA finance student, Juan joined the National Society of Hispanic MBAs. He coordinated the attendance of 115 MBA students to the organization’s national conference in Houston last fall. “The MBA program has not only helped me grow professionally, but my family has benefited from the programs available to them,” Quilantan says. “The MBA Spouse Association gave my family opportunities to serve the community and become stronger.”

After graduating from BYU with an undergraduate degree in economics, Lincoln Walpole , from Mapleton, Utah, started his own real estate investment and portfolio management company. While he continues to manage his business, Lincoln also finds time to serve as president of the Graduate Finance Association, which provides learning opportunities for MBA finance majors like himself. Apart from his continued involvement with the MBA program, Lincoln completed a summer internship with American Express as an international risk finance manager for a portfolio in Puerto Rico. “I have much to look forward to after graduation. Each of my experiences with the MBA program have benefited my career and my life,” says Walpole. “I hope to use the information and knowledge I have gained to improve existing businesses and to further other business opportunities.”

While completing an undergraduate degree in industrial design at BYU, Jeremy Wright , from Provo, founded DesignFaucet, a Web design company. For four years, he managed his own business while working full-time as design manager for a separate company. With increasing business management opportunities, Jeremy’s interest in obtaining an MBA became stronger. His experience as a marketing major in the MBA program provided other leadership opportunities, including serving as president of the MBA Marketing Association. Now, Jeremy plans to take his career to a different level by serving as a marketing associate for Nestlé USA after graduation. “Coming back to the Marriott School has proven to be a pivotal choice in both my career and personal growth,” Wright says. “During my time in the program, I have made lifelong connections with great individuals who inspire me."