2012 'Of the Year' Awards Announced at Business Week

Thursday, April 26, 2012

The 2012 students, faculty, and staff "of the year" awards were announced at the conclusion of the 52nd annual Business Week.

The 2012 student, faculty, and staff "of the year" awards were announced at the conclusion of the 52nd annual Business Week at the Carlson School. The award winners were nominated by undergraduate students.

Junior Vallari Ajgaonkar took top honors as this year's overall undergraduate Student of the Year. Senior of the Year was Danny Spors, Derek Lunde was the Junior of the Year, Sophomore of the Year went to Kelsey Wise, and Chloe Edwards was the Freshman of the Year.

The Faculty of the Year award winner was Paul White, senior lecturer in the Accounting Department. Brooke Arnold, assistant director in the Undergraduate program, received the Staff of the Year award. 

Students of the Year Highlights

Student of the Year, Vallari Ajgaonkar
As president of the Business Association of Multicultural Students, Ajgaonkar helps international and multicultural students develop professionally, gain valuable leadership experiences, and meet friends. She's also a community advisor for Middlebrook Hall where she helps students find their fit in college.

Senior of the Year, Danny Spors
Spors mentors and serves on different committees and in various positions as a member of Delta Sigma Pi. Recently, he worked to make the Student Organization Office a better and more effective place by creating a more collaborative environment.

Junior of the Year, Derek Lunde
As the director of the Volunteer Tax Assistance program, Lunde helped provide approximately $65,000 worth of free tax returns for students and the community.

Sophomore of the Year, Kelsey Wise
Wise is active in multiple activities and clubs at the Carlson School. As the networking events coordinator for Women in Business, she has helped connect others and supports the many women looking to get involved early on as freshmen.

Freshman of the Year, Chloe Edwards
As freshman representative of Business Week, Edwards supported other students and is currently active in recruiting prospective freshman.