Alumni Entrepreneur of the Year, student business awards announced

David King, a 1991 Westminster College alumnus, was named the Westminster College Alumni Entrepreneur of the Year at the annual Westminster Entrepreneur Center Symposium and School of Business Award Ceremony held in March.

As the chief technology officer of the Chicago-based Flywire, a high-growth vertical payments company, King oversees global technology and solutions development.

A self-defined serial entrepreneur with a passion for the intersection of technology and business, King has founded several companies including infiNET Solutions, Inc, where he built and managed an automated tuition billing and commerce system for major universities and helped the company process more than $16 billion annually.

King spoke to students about his entrepreneurial journey, highlighting his experiences, challenges and achievements. He holds a B.S. in mathematics and physics from Westminster and a M.S. in physics from Miami University.

The symposium also featured keynote speaker Jean Pineault, the president and CEO of the biopharmaceutical startup BioHybrid Solutions (BHS), a transformational platform company that develops next-generation NanoArmored protein-polymer conjugates. Pineault specializes in growing and professionalizing privately held business in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and clinical diagnostics markets.

Students also had the opportunity to participate in a networking session, connecting them with business and entrepreneurial leaders. Companies represented included Farmers National Bank, Erie Insurance, Moody’s, Odorex, Flywire, BioHybrid Solutions, SignatureDX, Bradigans, Ohanalink, Lawrence County, Matthews International, McClintock Associates, Touchstone, Steelite, Anheuser Busch, ADP, Northwest Bank and many other firms.

School of Business awards were also presented during the event and included:

•    The Bill Rankin Award, presented to presented to rising seniors aspiring to careers in human resources. Recipients included Alexander Mullen, a junior business administration and marketing professional sales double major from Bethel Park, Pa., and Kelly Wlodarsky, a junior human resources management major from Brookfield, Ohio.

•    The William C. Neely Free Market Business Award for Excellence presented to students with outstanding academic and leadership skills interested in careers in marketing or management. Recipients included Madilynn Kerr, a sophomore business administration major from Harmony, Pa., and Theresa Schneider, a sophomore business administration major from Chardon, Ohio.

•    The Donald and Denise Fishback Scholarship presented to Robert Schrantz, a junior business administration major from New Castle, Pa.This scholarship is presented to a rising senior demonstrating high character, integrity and leadership skills.

•    The Ann M. Kendlehart Scholarship presented to students demonstrating academic achievement and potential in accounting. Recipients were Abigail Cannon, a first-year business administration major and Honors Program student from Bethel Park, Pa.; Breannda Davis, a sophomore business administration major from Sharpsville, Pa.; Joseph Ranft, a sophomore accounting major from Pittsburgh; Cherise Schultz, a sophomore business administration and marketing and professional sales double major from Home, Pa.; Alessandra Zervanos, a first-year business administration major from Bridgeville, Pa.; and Reese Leone, a junior sports management major from Alliance, Ohio.

•    Sports Management Outstanding Senior Award presented to Caden Highfield, a senior sports management and marketing and professional sales double major from Oil City, Pa.

•    The Samuel H. Sloan Memorial Scholarship presented to Hunter Linhart, a junior business administration major from Pittsburgh. ¬

•    The Ronald B. and Emily P. Mackall Scholarship presented to Tomi Taiwo, a first-year business administration and marketing and professional sales double major from Pittsburgh. This scholarship is presented to a rising junior or senior demonstrating an appreciation for the fine arts.

•    The Robert E. and Jane S. Lauterbach Scholarship presented to rising seniors displaying outstanding academic achievement. Recipients include Jad Jadallah, a junior human resource management and sports management major from Canfield, Ohio; Joshua Collins, a junior from New Bloomfield, Pa.; Camden Hergenrother, a junior business administration major from Salem, Ohio; Grace Hazlet, a sophomore business administration major from Petrolia, Pa.; and Jordan Roser, a sophomore business administration major from Titusville, Pa.

•    The Joseph F. and Cecelia R. Zunic Scholarship presented to students who have earned achievements in accounting. Recipients were Grace Deschand, a junior accounting major from Fredonia, Pa., and Jarred Kohl, a junior financial economics and accounting major from York, Pa.

•    The John B. Fuoss Leadership and Scholarship Fund presented to Morgan Byers, a sophomore sports management and marketing and professional sales double major from Venetia, Pa. This award is presented to a sophomore with high academic achievement and strong leadership characteristics.

•    The Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) Outstanding Senior Award presented to Ryan Beard, a senior accounting major from Export, Pa.

•    The Ron Bergey Accounting Scholarship presented to Noah Sofran, a sophomore accounting major from Pittsburgh, and Kent Dunn, a junior accounting major from West Valley City, Utah. This award is presented to outstanding accounting majors intending to enter the accounting profession.

•    School of Business Outstanding Senior Awards presented to Anastasia Woosley, a senior accounting major from Monessen, Pa.; Curt Slagle, a senior business administration major from Dayton, Pa.; Madison Macura, a senior accounting major from New Kensington, Pa.; and Isabelle Snyder, a senior business administration and human resource management double major from Centerville, Pa.

To view photos of student award winners and other moments from the event, please visit our Flickr album.

President Richardson with the Westminster Alumni Entrepreneur of the Year Award winner David King; keynote speaker Jean Pineault discusses successes and challenges with students; students network with entrepreneurial and business leaders.

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