Three MBAs Become 2009 Stoddard Scholars

2009 Stoddard Scholars (from L to R): Jason Mathews, Aaron Archibald and Mark Cherrington. PROVO, Utah – Apr 17, 2009 – Three MBA finance students received a faster return than expected on their educational investment after being named Stoddard Scholars and receiving $5,000.

"The scholarships are a vote of confidence in students whose professional careers and church service will reflect favorably on BYU, the MBA program, and the finance major," says Grant McQueen, a finance professor who helped select the scholars. "These scholarships come at a perfect time for students who are preparing to graduate and relocate around the country."

Stoddard scholarships are awarded to a handful of second-year MBA students each year who perform well academically, help build the finance program, and complete the requirements for the finance major. Final selection is made by a committee of faculty members.

The 2009 Stoddard Scholars are: Aaron Archibald, from Magna, Utah; Mark Cherrington, from Orem, Utah; and Jason Mathews, from Las Vegas.

"I was very excited to tell my family that I had received recognition for my performance, especially given the number of smart, hard-working students in the program," says Mathews.  "The scholarship came unexpectedly and was a tremendous boost to my confidence and bank account."

The Stoddard Scholar Award was established in 1985 by George E. Stoddard, a 1937 BYU alumnus. His numerous credentials include acting as senior managing director of the W.P. Carey & Co., a leading global real estate investment firm in New York. He was also head of the multi-billion dollar Direct Placement Department of the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States.

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.

Stoddard Scholars

Aaron Archibald, from Magna, Utah, is a second-year MBA candidate with an emphasis in finance. He earned an undergraduate degree in finance from the University of Utah where he graduated with honors. Archibald is the recipient of the both the Madelyn and Ruth Silver Hartvigsen scholarships and is currently in the top 10 percent of his MBA class. Before beginning his MBA, Archibald worked as a finance manager for National Wood Products. After graduation, Archibald plans to work for Cisco Systems as a finance business manager in San Jose, Calif.

Mark Cherrington is a second-year MBA candidate from Orem, Utah. Cherrington graduated from BYU in 2003 with a business management degree. During his time at the Marriott School, Cherrington was a teacher's assistant for MBA Business Finance and won the Corporate Climb race. He held financial jobs at Ensign Group and Zion's Bank. Upon graduation, Cherrington will pursue a career in financial analysis.

Jason Mathews, a second-year MBA student from Las Vegas, earned an undergraduate degree in finance from University of Nevada – Las Vegas in 2004. He is the recipient of the Helen S. Nelson and Dennis Hunter scholarships. While in Las Vegas, Mathews served his community by serving meals to the homeless. Since being in Provo, he has served with Habitat for Humanity. Mathews has previously worked at Cisco Systems as a financial analyst and JNA Consulting Group as assistant vice president. He plans on working for US Airways as a senior financial analyst upon graduation.