2016-2017 Stophel Distinguished Students

The College of Business John C. Stophel Distinguished Student Award is presented annually to recognize high potential business students who have made significant and meaningful civic contributions to UTC and the College of Business while maintaining a strong academic record.

 

Students must provide evidence of exceptional extracurricular leadership and community service, strong leadership skills, self-motivating initiative, exceptional presentation skills, and a strong academic record with minimum GPA of 3.0.

 

Below are the 2016-2017 John C. Stophel Distinguished Students.

 

Undergraduate Students

• Korri Bowers
• Madison Gaither
• Denryl Luna
• Mikaela Keene
• Dillon Martin
• Daniel Taylor
• Selina Vu

Graduate Students

Jessica Henn

Undergraduate Students

Korri Bowers

Korri is an Accounting major from Nashville, TN with plans to graduate in May 2017. Throughout her time at UTC, she has engaged in the community both on and off campus. She has been active in Student Government, Greek life, a Peer Mentor, and served on the University Student Steering Homecoming Committee. Currently Korri is Treasurer of Mortar Board Honor Society and a member of both Beta Alpha Psi and the College of Business Dean's Student Advisory Council. In the community she has volunteered as a girl's volleyball coach at Dalewood Middle School, as well as the Choo Choo City Volleyball Club. Her attention to detail and professionalism has led her to secure four consecutive summer internships at Deloitte in the Information Technology Organization. 

After graduation, Korri will participate in her fifth summer internship with Deloitte in the Business Risk Advisory practice. She hopes to continue working there after obtaining her Master's in Accounting.

Madison Gaither

Madison Gaither is a senior from Clarksville, TN who is currently studying Accounting. She is preparing for a successful career in business and/or criminal justice by completing challenging course work, conducting extracurricular research, and participating in a variety of campus and community organizations. She has been a District II Senator in Student Government representing the College of Business for three years and is an active member in the Brock Scholars Honors Program. Madison has conducted undergraduate research in criminal justice, terrorism communications and forensic accounting. Additionally, she has served as treasurer for the UTC Chapters of Phi Eta Sigma and Alpha Lambda Delta National Academic Honor Societies, participated in the UTC ThinkAchieve program, and volunteered with the Chattanooga Food Bank and Students Taking a Right Stand (STARS) Program. Madison is currently an accounting intern at WorkForce Essentials Inc. and plans to pursue an internship with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation this summer.

After graduation, Madison plans to enroll in the Master of Accountancy program at UTC and subsequently take the CPA and CFE exams. She is interested in a career in forensic accounting, white collar crime investigation, or financial counterterrorism efforts.

Denryl Luna

Denryl is currently a senior in the College of Business and plans to graduate in May 2017 with a degree in Finance. He is from the Philippines and considers Maryville, TN as home.

While at UTC, Denryl has immersed himself in the community and the College of Business in a variety of ways, on and off campus. He participated in the Financial Management Association (FMA) Conference in 2016 and helped out with Junior Achievement of Chattanooga in 2014. He is serving as the president of the Financial Management Association (FMA) finance club this year at UTC. He acquired the role as a Research Intern at the University of Pittsburgh in the summer of his freshman year and has a published poster. Most importantly, he initiated a service project in a nearby neighborhood where he taught a group of kids reading/writing skills and has sustained the program for almost two years. After graduation, Denryl plans on pursuing his MBA at UTC while working as a Graduate Assistant.

Mikaela Keene

Mikaela is currently a senior from Murfreesboro, TN who is majoring in Accounting and Finance with a minor in Economics. While at UTC, she has been involved in Beta Alpha Psi, Beta Gamma Sigma, the Financial Management Association (FMA), the Trading and Investment Club (TIC), and the Economics Club. Through these organizations, Mikaela had the opportunity to get involved with the College of Business and to also give back through community service and tutoring. She is currently the Accounting and Finance Intern at The Vincit Group, where she manages their fixed asset system and provides support to employees across the country regarding company credit cards and expense reports. Previously, she was a tax runner for LBMC. Through these internships, she has gained vital business world experience that is helping her bridge the gap between academia and career.

Upon graduation in May 2017, Mikaela plans to pursue her Masters of Accountancy at UTC. During this time she will begin preparations for the CPA exam. Her dream job would allow her to work as a forensic accountant to help with fraud investigations and litigation support. She would also like to obtain her CFE after gaining experience in the field of fraud investigations.

Dillon Martin

Dillon is currently a senior at UTC in the College of Business and plans to graduate in May 2017 with a degree in Finance. He is from the Chattanooga area.

At UTC, Dillon has been an active participant in campus efforts to improve the College of Business. His main focus has been with the UTC SMILE Fund, which is a student-managed investment fund that manages $250,000 on behalf of the UC Foundation. He has been the President and Chief Investment Strategist for over a year and has worked closely with Dr. Hunter Holzhauer to expand the Fund to reach as many students as possible. Dillon has also worked as a Moc Mentor in Dean Dooley's freshmen seminar during the fall semester. Each mentor offered guidance for their group of freshmen in an effort to prepare the students for the challenges that can be expected in college. 

After graduating, Dillon plans to take the CFA Exam in June 2017. He will then be preparing for the Series 7 and Series 63 exams to earn a position on a wealth management team at Merrill Lynch.

Daniel Taylor

Daniel Taylor graduated in December 2016 with a double major degree in Entrepreneurship and Marketing. He is from Jackson, TN.

While at UTC, Daniel was extensively engaged in the College of Business and a variety of other UTC clubs and organizations, on and off campus. Most notably, Daniel participated in several elevator pitch competitions hosted by the Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization, on a university, regional, and national level, and won the UTC CEO Elevator Pitch Competition in 2014. In addition, he served as an active member on the Dean's Student Advisory Council, through which he contributed to committees such as the classroom design committee, working to develop the next generation of high-tech classrooms for the College of Business. He interned for Branch Technology, a company with the world's largest freeform 3D printer, working on market research and business planning. Daniel has paid his way through college via his exterior cleaning company. He is also a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. 

Daniel plans to continue pursuing his entrepreneurial passions by running his exterior cleaning company and growing his Ladder Levelizer venture. He aspires to be a successful serial entrepreneur.

Selina Vu

Diem Vu (Selina) is currently a junior with senior credit hours in the College of Business and plans to graduate this year with a degree in Accounting. She came from Vietnam at age 10 and currently resides in Hixson, TN.

While at UTC, Selina has immersed herself in the community and the College of Business. In the summer of 2015, she participated in a marketing internship program in China in partnership with UTC. She is currently a candidate for Beta Alpha Psi, and is the treasurer for the Financial Management Association (FMA). Last fall, Selina was selected to intern at Unum as part of their scholars program in addition to working in the Dean's Office in the College of Business. 

After graduation, Selina plans on pursuing her Masters in Accountancy at UTC while preparing for the CPA examination.

Graduate Students

Jessica Henn

Jessica Henn is a recent graduate from the College of Business with a Master's Degree in Business Administration and has an undergraduate degree in Business and Organizational Management from Maryville College. She is from Chattanooga, TN.

Jessica is a Senior Auditor with Unum in Chattanooga. She has been with Unum since 2012 and has spent time working in Corporate Finance, Accounting, Compliance and Audit. With Unum's commitment to the community, she has had various volunteering opportunities with the Chambliss Center for Children, the Chattanooga Food Bank, the Chattanooga Zoo, and the Humane Educational Society. Additionally, she has served on United Way's Cost Allocation Committee for the past two years.

With the completion of her Master's Degree, she plans to continue to pursue opportunities that develop her business expertise and leadership skills, and continue being an active contributor to the community.