Ten Students Named Hawes Scholar

PROVO, Utah – Apr 08, 2019 – The Brigham Young University Marriott School of Business named ten MBA candidates 2019 Hawes Scholars, an honor that carries the highest distinction given to MBA students at the school and a cash award of $10,000.

“The Hawes Scholar award recognizes our top MBA students, not only for their exceptional academic record, but also for their efforts in strengthening the program, supporting their colleagues, and personifying the BYU Marriott MBA brand,” says Grant McQueen, MBA program director, “I also view the award as an investment in young professions who will positively influence community and church as well as business.”

The 2019 Hawes Scholars are Megan Brewster, Derek Croft, Jonathon Hardy, Jared Haynie, Shawn Merrill, Jesse Myrick, Sara Picard, Reenu Raj, John Rozan, and Fernanda Sayavedra.

Students and faculty nominate and vote for each year’s Hawes Scholars. Final selection is made by the Hawes Scholar Committee and 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 BYU Marriott’s nationally ranked MBA program. Mr. Hawes, a Baker Scholar from the Harvard Business School, and his wife wanted to create a tradition at BYU Marriott that recognizes and rewards excellence among students entering the business world. In addition to being widely recognized for his expertise in financial matters, Hawes has a reputation for integrity, hard work, and community service.

The BYU Marriott School of Business prepares men and women of faith, character, and professional ability for positions of leadership throughout the world. Named for benefactors J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott, the school is located at Brigham Young University, the largest privately owned, church-sponsored university in the United States. BYU Marriott has four graduate and ten undergraduate programs with an enrollment of approximately 3,300 students.

“The BYU Marriott MBA program has transformed my leadership abilities,” says Megan Brewster. Brewster is a Salt Lake City native who graduated from the University of Utah in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in English. Following graduation, she was the coordinator to the director at Envolve Center for Health Behavior Change. Since she began pursuing her MBA, Brewster has interned at Intermountain Healthcare in the consulting area and served as president of the Women in Management Club at BYU Marriott. Her professors and fellow students say she is constantly trying to improve the MBA program and help others. Her volunteerism reaches beyond school to Big Brothers Big Sisters in Salt Lake City, which she has participated in as a mentor. “BYU Marriott has given me the chance to form deep connections with friends, peers, mentors, and alumni who are value driven, bright, and generous,” says Brewster. She is expecting her first baby in April.

Derek Croft, from Cottonwood Heights, Utah, graduated with his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from BYU in 2016. He worked as an application engineer for Autoliv Inc. before coming to BYU Marriott to pursue his MBA. Professors and students say Croft has earned a reputation for goodwill, multiplying the successes of others, and engaging where he can make a difference. “The BYU Marriott MBA program has fundamentally changed my life and career,” says Croft. “The people I have come to know, the experiences I have gained, and the help and generosity I have received have enabled and inspired me to strive for excellence in every aspect of my life.” Croft interned at Bain and Company last summer and will be returning there to work full-time after graduation. “As I move forward,” says Croft, “I am committed to the mission of BYU in giving back and helping others to reach their potential in both their personal and professional lives.”

After graduating from BYU Marriott in 2014 with a degree in business management, Jonathan Hardy worked for PayPal and then inContact. This last year he participated in the first-year mentoring sherpa program, served as president of the HeForShe Club, and was vice president creative of the BYU Marriott MBA General Council. Classmates and professors say Hardy is always looking for ways to improve the programs, from creating the new human resource programs to taking the lead for the human resource analytics course. “I love that the BYU Marriott MBA program is a place where students can create the experience they want,” says Hardy, originally from Kenmore, Washington. “After graduation, I will be moving back to the great Pacific Northwest to work in HR for Intel in Oregon, where I hope to be able to create work environments where everyone can thrive.”

BYU Marriott MBA professors and peers say no one could ever be a better BYU brand ambassador than Jared Haynie. Originally from Branson, Missouri, Haynie says, “The BYU Marriott MBA program has changed the trajectory of my life, propelling me upwards towards greater leadership potential.” Since graduating from BYU in 2012 with a degree in chemical engineering, Haynie has worked at Autoliv Inc. as a process engineer and global process equipment authority. This last year he served as the president of the Supply Chain and Operations Association and the communications representative for the HeForShe Club, all while being a first-year mentor as part of the sherpa program. “Opportunities to lead capable teams of my dear friends and colleagues in the MBA program have helped me complete my top tier education provided through BYU Marriott,” he says. “I have been provided with a strong foundation, enabling me to provide strategic insight in my new professional life.”

Shawn Merrill, from Orem, Utah, graduated from BYU in 2012 with a degree in Russian and from the University of Pennsylvania in 2014 with a master’s degree in education. After finishing his undergraduate degree, Merrill became a member of the Teach for America Corps. He later became an analyst for strategy arts, and the director of operations and analytics for Bloom Planning. Merrill’s classmates and professors say that he cares deeply for his peers and uses his interpersonal skills to lift up others and deftly navigate complex situations. “The BYU Marriott MBA program has opened my eyes to a new world of thinking and allowed me to build my professional skill set in meaningful ways,” says Merrill. “I'm looking forward to building an international career, starting a business with my wife, and being involved in the communities where I'll live.” This year he served as the president of the BYU Marriott MBA Executive Council and participated as a first-year mentor as part of the sherpa program. Following graduation, Merrill will return to work full-time at Allstate Insurance Company, where he previously interned. 

“The BYU Marriott MBA program has given me the tools to be more productive in the world and do more good,” says Jesse Myrick from Wilton, California. “I have ideas to change the world for the better, and I'm now more confident that I can go out and execute on them.” Myrick graduated from BYU in 2013 with a degree in media arts studies. He then started his own company Myrick Media, and worked at Stringham Schools and at BYU Communications and Technology. In his career, he has worked as studio manager, and multimedia manager. Last summer Myrick interned at Amazon, and this last year he was in charge of the BYU Marriott MBA first-year mentoring sherpa program as the head sherpa. Professors and fellow students say that Myrick has made significant enhancements to the sherpa program, particularly summer engagement and detailed milestone accountability. Myrick has been engaged, optimistic, and supportive to career services, setting a new standard for future head sherpa leaders. After graduation, he will work in a strategy role at Adobe in Lehi, Utah.

Sara Picard graduated from BYU in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations. Following graduation, Picard joined the Teach for America corps in Phoenix where she taught second grade in the English Language Learners program. As a full-time teacher and student, she concurrently received her master’s degree from Arizona State University in education. During her time in the BYU Marriott MBA program, Picard has interned at Cisco Systems Inc. in California, served as the president of the Human Resources Student Association and a VP of the Women in Management Club, participated as a first-year mentor in the sherpa program, and won a national case competition. Picard’s classmates and professors say that she makes everyone she interacts with feel love and wanted. “The BYU Marriott MBA program has been the grounds for a reaffirmation of my potential and a place for me to explore and develop my talents,” she says. “I have confidence in my future and am grateful to all the exceptional people who have shaped my experience.” Picard is originally from Moscow, Idaho.

Hailing from Bangalor, India, Reenu Raj received a computer engineering undergraduate degree from M.S. Ramaiah Institute of Technology in 2014. She came to the BYU Marriott MBA program after working in a variety of positions at Adobe Systems Inc. “The BYU Marriott MBA has given me the opportunity to expand my potential,” says Raj. “I hope to enter the professional world and serve in leadership positions with integrity and strive to make a positive change wherever I go.” Her classmates and professors say she has done just that by spending time with individual students to help them prepare for interviews, cases, and careers. They describe her as studious, responsible, smart, and a friend to everyone. Last year Raj served as the marketing track lead sherpa and interned over the summer at Deloitte & Touche LLP. She will be returning there full-time after graduation.

BYU Marriott MBA students and professors say John Rozan has established relationships with nearly everyone in the program. “I have made lifelong friendships in the program,” says Rozan. “BYU Marriott has world-class professors and staff and its MBA program has helped me grow professionally, personally, and spiritually.” Rozan is from Málaga, Spain, and graduated with an undergraduate degree in industrial engineering from the University of Málaga. Following graduation, Rozan became a process and production engineer for Airbus Defense and Space. This past year he served as a freshmen mentor in the sherpa program, recruiting manager in the program, and an intern with DigiCert. Professors say Rozan’s influence at DigiCert is the reason why the company comes to BYU to recruit. After graduation, Rozan will work for Ford Motor Company in general management. In his free time, Rozan enjoys skiing, playing sports, studying foreign languages (he currently speaks five), spending time with his wife, Heather.  

“The best part of the BYU Marriott MBA program has been the relationships I have developed with professors and classmates,” says Fernanda Sayavedra. “Their examples of faith, service, character, and excellence have been driving factors in the growth and learning I have experienced at BYU.” Not only has Sayavedra been impacted by the MBA professors and students, but they say she has left her mark on them. Sayavedra’s colleagues say that she is a hard working student who quietly mentors others with no thought for recognition or reward. Originally from Mexico City, Sayavedra graduated from BYU with a bachelor’s degree in economics and earned her juris doctorate from the University of Chicago. As an MBA student, she has focused on the human resource and finance tracks, while also serving as a teaching assistant in both of these areas. She interned this past summer at Dell Technologies and, after graduation, will be starting a full-time position at Intel in Arizona.