Wendy Samter, Ph.D., received the Distinguished Faculty Award. The professor and chair of the communication department was cited for her role as an outstanding teacher, mentor, and role model. She said she was gratified “to learn that alumni remember and appreciate my effort to make a difference in their lives.” Samter was cited on the nomination form as “a faculty member who works hard for the benefit of students and the advancement of the Bryant brand,” and that “the many academic publications and texts she has authored make her a wonderful asset to Bryant.”
NEW VENTURE COMPETITION Bryant’s New Venture Competition celebrated its third successful year on campus during the annual Alumni Leadership Weekend March 1–2. Entrepreneurial alumni and students had the opportunity to showcase their ideas for a startup and compete for $10,000 in seed money. Twelve alumni with sixteen projects began the competition in December, and the field was narrowed to six finalist teams who presented to the judges on campus. This year’s finalists were (in alphabetical order): Laura Bellofatto-Bense ’90 ; Daryl Crockett ’82; Melissa Ellard ’13; Matthew Lotfey ’10 and Jason Coppola ’07; Hooman Shahidi ’13 and Jillian Friot ’14; and Shain Waugh ’00. Daryl Crockett ’82 won Bryant’s own version of the popular television series Shark Tank, with her business plan for Validus, software for the data migrating
and data validation industry. Crockett, who was awarded the competition’s $10,000 top prize, said the feedback from the judges, all accomplished entrepreneurs, was priceless. The judges also voted to award a $1,000 prize to Melissa Ellard ’13, for Fashion-Force, an innovative, online business-to-business service. Ellard’s pitch was one of two from student entrepreneurs that made it into the finals. A unique spin on Bryant’s annual competition is that aspiring entrepreneurs receive guidance from faculty and from established alumni entrepreneurs and investors who generously share their experiences and expertise. Past participants have said the opportunity to work with accom-
the prize money, which in turn will heighten visibility for the entrants and the winners.” Interested investors should contact Robin Warde or Entrepreneurship Program Coordinator Sandra Potter, Ph.D., to be involved in 2014.
2013 ALUMNI LEADERSHIP WEEKEND The 7th annual Alumni Leadership Weekend March 1 and 2, in conjunction with The Archway Fund’s annual Financial Services Forum, offered a variety of informational panels and discussions on topics of interest in financial services. Particular risks and considerations exist when considering investments in fixed income and
Bryant President Ronald K. Machtley and National Alumni Council President Jennifer Parkhurst ’97, ’06 MBA (far right) award the New Venture Competition top prize to Daryl Crockett ’82 and her husband, Dean Crockett.
plished alumni and faculty as part of this competition has been invaluable. Lead judge and sponsor, Brian Cowley ’82, commented that “the competition is at a point now that it needs to augment
alternatives, according to alumni experts including panel moderator Erica (Johnson) Vaters ’91, vice president of Fidelity Capital Markets, but they can provide diversification, lower risk, and boost returns. Contributing to
the discussion on March 1 were Howard Jonas ’85, managing director of BlackRock; Joseph Fazzino ’02, senior manager — pension investments at United Technologies; and Tom Tzitzouris ’99, vice president of Strategas Research Partners. The next topic tackled was market trends, which was moderated by Nicholas Bohnsack ’00, operating partner and sector strategist at Strategas Research Partners. Fellow alumni contributors were Henry Becker ’94, managing director, NYSE specialist, Goldman Sachs & Company ; Adam Joffe ’93, ’95 MBA, director of alternatives and chief administrative officer,The Boston Company Asset Management, LLC; and Donald R. Quattrucci ’83, managing director of U.S. Trust. John Del Vecchio ’98, founder of Active Bear ETF and author of What’s Behind the Numbers? A Guide to Exposing Financial Chicanery and Avoiding Losses in Your Portfolio, spoke on the topic “Short Sales and Financial Chicanery.” After a networking lunch in the Stepan Grand Hall, Glen P. Martin ’81, ’87 MBA, CFP, moderated a Planning Your Financial Future panel. Panelists included Matthew Carbray ’02, CFP, Linda Thalheimer, CLTC, and Ron Ware ’90, JD. That discussion was followed by breakout sessions on Long Term Care Planning and Insurance Options; Investing in Yourself: Workplace Retirement Plans and Personal Investing; and Enhancing the Wealth of Your Life and Legacy.
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