Alumni & Friends News

As part of its 2019 Alumni Awards celebration, The Ohio State University Max M. Fisher College of Business proudly honored six individuals for their leadership, dedication and service across a number of industries and in communities throughout the United States.

For Mark Yale Harris (BSBA '61), creativity has been a constant throughout his professional career — in business as a co-founder of Red Roof Inns, and now, as a renowned sculpture artist.

From sharing his story with Fisher students, to serving on the college’s Dean’s Advisory Council, to supporting graduate students through scholarships, Jesse Tyson’s (MBA '76) pride in his Ohio State roots is immense. Now, that legacy of engagement is a permanent part of the Fisher campus. Together with his wife, Cheryl, the family was recently honored for their generosity in the creation of the Cheryl and Jesse Tyson Diversity and Inclusion Suite.

Ohio State students and alumni such as Cal Wible (BSBA '49, MBA '50) have made the Buck-I-SERV alternative break program a gift to communities in need and an example for others to follow. Journey to Florida with a recent contingent of students to see how these efforts brought joy to their young charges.

“Dedicated to what I believe in.” That, in her own words, describes Janelle Jordan (BSBA '98) to the core, and her dedication to Ohio State and her Buckeye family is undeniable.

Paula Bennett (BSBA '71) established herself as a leader in the retail industry and was recently recognized by the AACSB as an Influential Leader. Bennett attributes much of her success to the mentor relationships that started at Fisher.

“When I blasted into (the venture capital) ecosystem in 2016, it was like people did not know what to do with me because it was all men, all 50 and older, all white. And I come tearing in,” said Lindsay Karas Stencel (MBA '09).

Danielle Lim is the co-founder of another Grandview space with Melissa Blackburn, whom she met while getting her MBA at Fisher College of Business. One Thursday evening after what Blackburn describes as a “girl boss” event, they were both feeling inspired and Lim mentioned an NPR piece she heard on coworking spaces. By Tuesday, they were looking at the building that now houses Haven Collective on Riverside Drive. 

As part of Columbus Business First’s Women of Influence podcast, Rachel Friedman (EMBA ’02) shares her entrepreneurial journey and the incredible impact her Executive MBA degree from Fisher has had on her success as the founder and CEO of TENFOLD.

See how Accounting Honors student Tommy Lowden is making the most of his Fisher experience — from studying and interning abroad, to making an impact locally through volunteering — thanks to donor support.

Fisher students gathered for one important mission: to show their appreciation for donors.

Cindy Hilsheimer (BSBA ’79) talks leadership with Women & Philanthropy.

The new leader of one of the largest banks in Central Ohio is a 24-year industry veteran who's rarely stood still during her ascent through the ranks. Mary Auch (MBA '04) has been named president of the Central Ohio market for PNC Bank.

Learn more about how Zac Graber (BSBA '18), a recipient of Ohio State's President's Prize, is improving the waste management process and diverting more refuse to composting and recycling.

When the Fisher Association of Marketing Professionals (AMP) began evaluating candidates for its 2019 Marketer of the Year award, one name consistently rose to the top of the list: Russ Klein (BSBA ’79), CEO of the American Marketing Association.

Students in Fisher’s Full-Time MBA program had the opportunity to experience firsthand the reach of the Ohio State alumni network as part of a Tech Hop to San Francisco.

For Jaja Liang, a Fisher student majoring in international business and marketing, having the opportunity to experience an eight-week global internship where she lived and worked in Southeast Asia was an amazing time that was made possible by donor support.

When Tim Kelly (BSBA ’18) reflects on his time as an Accounting Honors student at Fisher, he can’t help but speak fondly of the memorable experiences he had in the Honors Cohort program. From the impactful opportunities he had to travel domestically and abroad, to the lifelong friendships he forged, the Honors Cohort program stands out as an unforgettable part of his years as a Fisher student.

Stephanie Paxton (BSBA ’12) shares why she returned to Fisher to join with students and alumni to volunteer as part of VITA, which provides free tax prep to low-income and disadvantaged individuals.

JPMorgan Chase's local leader and Columbus 2020 board member Corrine Burger (BSBA '85) has her hands in efforts to grow and diversify Columbus talent.

Melissa Blackburn and Danielle Lim became friends while classmates in Fisher’s Working Professional MBA program. Since graduating in 2011, they’ve remained connected and co-founded Haven Collective, a co-working space in the Columbus area.