Show some appreciation to those who have made a great impact in your life.
So often people are taken for granted, especially at work. I come from a family where my mother taught us to appreciate everything that people do. As I reached the end of my undergraduate journey at Shenandoah University’s Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of Business, I thought about how to show my appreciation to all the faculty members who have helped me achieve my goal.
My journey was the best I could have ever asked for. The business school faculty made me love coming to class and brought excitement to my everyday life, because they cared for my future success. I shared my experience with my fellow classmates, and they all feel the same way.
At the Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of Business, faculty members took an interest in our success. We learned in small classes, and they were available to help us with any problems in and outside of the classroom. They introduced us to many successful entrepreneurs who shared their real-world experiences. They spoke of the risks to take, the ups and downs that will come, and urged us to never stop trying to achieve our goals — even when others don’t believe in you. They offered us opportunities and encouraged us to reach out to them if we ever needed them.
Our faculty members love teaching and demonstrate that passion daily. I could not have asked for better role models. So, I decided to show my appreciation and thank them for their amazing work by holding the first-ever Faculty Appreciation Dinner. In order to determine the awards, I surveyed the graduating seniors for their opinions about their faculty members. We elected Associate Professor of Finance Bruce Gouldey, Ph.D., as “Professor of the Year”; Associate Professor of Management and Director of the Institute for Entrepreneurship Alesia Slocum, D.B.A., as the “Most Caring Faculty”; Associate Faculty of Business Law John Winn, J.D., as “Friendliest Faculty Member”; and Associate Professor of Supply Chain Management and Quantitative Methods Mesut Yavuz, Ph.D., as “Most Dedicated Faculty Member.” Dean Miles Davis, Ph.D., was elected “Dean of the Year” for his academic leadership. Seniors enjoyed a wonderful dinner on campus with the faculty, celebrating our faculty’s success. Without them and their unending service, we could not have made it to where we are today.
