Empowering Eccles Students
A MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN
I extend my sincere thanks for your generous support of scholarships at the David Eccles School of Business.
As we embark on Our Next Ascent, student success stands at the heart of our strategic priorities. For us, that means providing students with educational experiences that deeply impact their learning—real-world opportunities that bridge the classroom and the business community. It means developing programs that build confidence and capability, expanding partnerships that lead to internships and careers, and ensuring every student has the opportunity to seek and reach their peak.
One of our key goals is access—ensuring that talented students from every background have the opportunity to attend the University of Utah and the Eccles School. While many students work to support their education, they often need additional assistance. Your scholarship support removes financial barriers and makes it possible for these students to join us and stay on the path to a degree. Because of your generosity, they can stay enrolled, graduate, and begin creating generational economic change. You are not only supporting an education—you are transforming lives and communities.
A second goal is acceleration—attracting the most highly talented students from Utah and beyond, and helping them accelerate their climb. To achieve their potential, they need to be able to focus on their studies, engage in leadership and career experiences, and complete their degrees prepared for meaningful lives and impactful careers. Your scholarship support can also make this possible.
In this year’s Scholarship Impact Report, you will hear directly from some of the remarkable students whose journeys you have helped shape. You will see their gratitude not only for your financial support, but also for your belief in them. Knowing that someone is invested in their success gives them strength and motivation to keep climbing.
Thank you for being an essential part of the Eccles community and for helping our students reach new heights of achievement and purpose. Your partnership is helping define the next chapter of the Eccles School—and the next generation of business leaders.
With deep appreciation,
Kurt Dirks
2025-26 SCHOLARSHIPS BY THE NUMBERS
$6,300,517
TOTAL AMOUNT OF SCHOLARSHIP DOLLARS AWARDED
464
TOTAL NUMBER OF SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED
1,057
NUMBER OF INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS
RECEIVING SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT AT THE DAVID ECCLES SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
Scan here to explore the full list of scholarships and meet the incredible students your generosity supports!
SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS BY GRADUATE PROGRAM
1. Master of Business Administration: 85
2. Master of Business Creation: 36
3. Master of Accounting: 37
4. Master of Real Estate Development: 19
5. Master of Science in Finance: 9
6. Professional Master of Business Administration: 6
7. Master of Healthcare Administration: 3
8. Executive Master of Business Administration: 2
9. Master of Science in Cybersecurity Management: 1
10. Master of Science in Business Analytics: 1
11. Master of Science in Information Systems: 1
SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS BY UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM
1. Accounting: 73
2. Entrepreneurship: 10
3. Finance: 27
4. Information Systems: 3
5. Management: 1
6. Marketing: 69
7. Operations Management: 2
8. QAMO: 48
9. Business Scholars: 85
10. Doman Innovation Studios: 15
11. FinTech: 2
12. First Ascent Scholars: 44
13. Goff Strategic Leadership Institute: 177
14. Lassonde: 22
15. Opportunity Scholars: 148
16. Rising Business Leaders: 20
17. Merit Scholarships: 109
18. General Scholarship Support: 135
TOTAL 204 TOTAL 990
Some students receive scholarship support from multiple program areas.
7 DAVID ECCLES SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
STUDENT IMPACT STORIES
Scholarships allow students from a variety of backgrounds and circumstances to access the life-changing power of higher education. In many cases, these students would not be able to attend college at all without this generous financial support and, in every case, scholarships allow these deserving and high-achieving students to focus on a holistic academic experience without financial pressure and worries. We are pleased to share some of their stories.
HAYLEE PENDLETON
YEAR
Junior
HOMETOWN Kearns, Utah
MAJOR Accounting
Growing up just 30 minutes from Salt Lake City, HayLee Pendleton was always drawn to the energy of downtown, and knew she wanted to attend the University of Utah from a young age. It was close to home, but still offered the possibility of growth and independence, and so far her experience has not disappointed – thanks in large part to her scholarship.
“Being a recipient of these scholarships means the world to me. I truly cannot put into words how grateful I am to have this support,” HayLee said. “I pay for all my education out of pocket, relying on scholarships and my income to get me through debt-free, and because of this generous gift the weight of this responsibility is a thousand pounds lighter.”
With the flexibility financial assistance has provided, HayLee has participated in multiple clubs, and is looking forward to an accounting internship at a small or medium-sized firm that will give her hands-on experience in the accounting field. Also pursuing a Gender Studies minor, HayLee hopes to find a job as an accountant for a non-profit or firm that is dedicated to helping women or other underserved populations.
“Thanks to you all, I can continue my studies at the David Eccles School of Business. Not only that but now I can apply myself even more to my studies in and out of the classroom,” HayLee said. “These scholarships are more than just financial assistance, they are an investment in my future, and I am determined to make the most of it.”
JOHN PENA
YEAR Freshman
HOMETOWN Newport Beach, Calif.
MAJOR
Business Administration
When the Eaton Canyon Fire in southern California caused significant damage to John Pena’s family home, his dad was forced to use money he had saved for John’s college tuition to finance repairs and restoration. But, thanks to a generous scholarship, John was still able to start at the David Eccles School of Business this past fall to pursue his passions of leadership, sports, and business.
“This scholarship contributes to my ability to participate in everything the U offers,” John said. “I want to use my time here to grow as a leader, connect with mentors, and contribute to the community.”
Community service, including volunteering with youth sports programs and local fire relief efforts in Pasadena, has been a passion of John’s for a long time, and he is looking forward to continuing his service efforts as he finishes his degree and builds his career.
“My goal is to eventually start my own development company, give back to underserved communities, and rebuild communities destroyed by disasters through thoughtful, sustainable projects,” John said. “Your support has lifted a huge weight off my shoulders and given me the confidence to chase my dreams without hesitation. I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity and look forward to making the most of it.”
CHRISTIAN PADILLA
YEAR Freshman
HOMETOWN
Salt Lake City, Utah
MAJOR Marketing
Christian Padilla’s parents came to the United States from Mexico in search of a better life for themselves and their three children. And now Christian is living his best life at the University of Utah and the David Eccles School of Business.
Scholarship support has allowed Christian to live on campus at the U, where he has forged strong friendships and experienced campus activities including football games.
“School has always been so important to me and my family and I am blessed to have people like you to help me,” Christian said.
When he graduates, Christian hopes to be part of a marketing team for a sports team. Generous scholarship support has started him on the right path.
“Thank you for your help and support,” he said. “It’s because of people like you that underprivileged kids get to dream about a higher education. The work you do is not helping just us but society as a whole to make the world a better place and put out more positivity through education. You have not only helped me but my whole family and it genuinely just means the world to us. I hope to be able to do the same one day and use what you have given me to help more people in the world.”
REID BOORMAN
YEAR
Graduate Student
HOMETOWN Bonners Ferry, Idaho
MAJOR Full-Time MBA
Reid Boorman’s story starts in the small, quiet logging town of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, but his educational pursuits have taken him far from his origins all the way to the United States Military Academy, through a career as an aviation officer and Blackhawk helicopter pilot, and now to the Full-Time MBA program at the David Eccles School of Business.
“Without the generosity of others, I would not be where I am today,” Reid said. “My ambitions are only possible through the immense generosity of scholarships and other support.”
Reid has been involved with the Ski and Snowboard Club, the Veterans Club, and regularly participates in MBA networking events. He also competed in the Daniels Fund Business Ethics Competition and hopes to represent the Eccles School at that event again in the future. Beyond the MBA program, Reid hopes to lead efforts in the construction, engineering, and aerospace industries as a Project and Program Manager. He also hopes to extend the same generosity he has experienced to someone else.
“One day, I truly desire to follow in the footsteps of the incredible, gracious, and generous donors who make possible the dreams of others, like my own,” Reid said. “I know it is not I alone who has brought me to this point, and I hope to always remember those who supported me.”
DILIP POUDYEL
YEAR Junior
HOMETOWN Nepal
MAJOR Finance
Born in a refugee camp in Nepal, Dilip Poudyel developed a deep respect for education as a path to opportunity but, as former refugees, his parents had no opportunity to receive and education and it has been difficult for them to support Dilip’s higher education goals. Receiving a scholarship has made Dilip’s dreams achievable despite the obstacles.
“Being a recipient of this scholarship at the David Eccles School of Business means more than financial assistance,” Dilip said. “It means access to opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach. It allows me to fully engage with programs where I can develop practical skills, connect with mentors, and collaborate with like-minded peers. These experiences are critical for shaping my career aspirations and business leadership.”
As the first person in his family to pursue a career in finance, Dilip is determined to succeed in Wealth Management and advance his career, while also serving as a role model in his community.
“Honestly, I don’t think words can fully express what I want to say,” Dilip said. “How do you thank someone who’s giving you one of the best opportunities of your life?”
SAVANNAH
YEAR Freshman
JORDAAN
HOMETOWN
Newport Beach, Calif.
MAJOR
Business Administration
Savannah Jordaan has always immersed herself in the outdoors, including a childhood spent skiing competitively. Now, thanks to a scholarship at the David Eccles School of Business, she can immerse herself in her studies and other opportunities on campus and beyond that align with her career aspirations. For example, Savannah currently serves as Director of Sustainability for the Associated Students of the University of Utah (ASUU), where she collaborates with the Sustainability Board to promote sustainable practices on campus and help construct policy changes related to sustainability.
She has also found chances to pursue her passion in the classroom at the Eccles School.
“One of my most impactful experiences has been my involvement in the Business Ethics course, where I integrated my dual interests in finance and sustainability to explore the ethical dimensions of business decisions,” Savannah said. “This course reinforced my commitment to pursuing a career that bridges these fields, emphasizing the importance of ethical considerations in business practices.”
Her passion is also fueled by the support she feels through her scholarship and the people behind it who are cheering her on.
“Your belief in my potential has not only provided financial assistance but has also inspired me to continue striving toward my goals. Thank you for making a profound impact on my educational journey and for investing in the future of students like me.”
YEAR
Senior
ARUAL DENG
HOMETOWN
Salt Lake City, Utah
MAJOR
Quantitative Analysis of Markets and Organizations (QAMO)
Arual Deng loves two things: education and basketball. Her dream is to combine the two. She hopes to leverage the things she’s learned in the QAMO program to launch a career as a sports analyst for the NBA. One of five siblings, Arual’s dream is even more meaningful since losing her brother unexpectedly in 2024. She knows he would love for her to reach this goal as well.
As part of the Opportunity Scholars program, Arual has benefitted from mentoring, trips, and life-long friendships. Opportunity Scholars has been more than a scholarship program for her – it has been a family she can always count on. And none of it would have been possible without a scholarship.
“Getting a scholarship is very meaningful to me because it’s allowing me to continue school with less stress. My family isn’t fortunate enough to help me pay for school, so getting this scholarship helps me a ton!” Arual said. “Thank you for all that you do. Without your generosity, many people would be struggling. I want to express my gratitude because your support has impacted me more than you can imagine.”
DAVID ECCLES SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
DISTINGUISHED SCHOLARSHIP DONORS & PAST HONOREES
2024
Kent and Deborah Bowman
Woodbury Corporation
Robert W. and Barbara J. Keener Foundation
2023
Don & Jane Pugh Family Foundation
Jack & Melanie Elizondo
2022
Chris Palacios
Wheeler Machinery
2021
Paul Bingham
2020
Tom and Shirley Callanan
2019
Val A. & Edith D. Green Foundation
2018
Zions Bancoporation 2017
Francis A. Madsen Family
Rocky Mountain Power Foundation
2016
Rio Tinto Corporation
2015
Steiner Foundation 2013
Rick Baldini, Dino Pappas, and Peter Zolintakis 2012
Jessie T. and Nancy Montez
2011
Joseph and Raye Ringholz
2010
W. Harold “Had” and Gloria S. Dobson 2009
Workers Compensation Fund 2008
Edna Firmage Richards 2007
S. Del and LaRee W. Low Family
2006
John Roland Anderson Family 2014
Bamberger Memorial Foundation
73rd Annual Scholarship Celebration
March 20, 2025
DAVID ECCLES SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
DONOR SPOTLIGHT: JEFF AND HELEN CARDON
A decade ago, Jeff and Helen Cardon set out to solve a problem: low graduation rates among underprivileged students. Long-time supporters of higher education, the Cardons were shocked to learn that graduation rates for underprivileged students hovered around 25 to 35%.
The statistics revealed an uncomfortable truth. Scholarship support going to financially disadvantaged students wasn’t being maximized if those students didn’t graduate.
Their solution was a unique cohort-based, hightouch program called First Ascent Scholars, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. First Ascent doesn’t just offer financial support; students have access to on-campus housing, professional mentoring, academic and career coaching, and a network of peers experiencing the same struggles –and triumphs.
Many First Ascent students have also stayed in touch with the program and their cohorts, building a
strong alumni base with a lot of examples of the lifechanging power of a college education.
“We originally thought of it as ‘four years, then off you go,’” said Jeff Cardon. “Instead, we are in contact with most of our students and have an alumni group. The family atmosphere and ongoing mentoring of our scholars has been really rewarding.”
Jeff and Helen have shared their passion for students and the program far and wide, bringing many more donors and supporters into the First Ascent family, including Wasatch Global Investors where Jeff Cardon served for many years as Chief Executive Officer.
“We started from a place of gratitude for everything Jeff built here at Wasatch, and we want to support his passion for First Ascent,” said Mike Yeates, current CEO at Wasatch Global Investors. “Beyond that, I view it as a responsibility as business leaders that we all share to give back.”
In addition to financial support, Wasatch Global Investors has also brought on several First Ascent students as interns at the company. It’s given students exposure to projects and an industry that might have been difficult to connect with otherwise, Yeates said. And it’s given Wasatch Global Investors access to a broader pool of experiences and perspectives in their office.
“We really believe in the power of having multiple eyes or a set of diverse outlooks,” Yeates said. “When you think long-term, that’s the only way to make a dent in the problem in the investing industry, which is that it draws from a small slice of the population.”
The support of Wasatch Global Investors and so many other partners does not go unnoticed, the Cardons said.
“We always say that graduation day is the happiest day of our year. To see our wide-eyed freshmen mature and become amazing college graduates is incredible.”
JEFF AND HELEN CARDON
“We have incredible donors who are so important to our ongoing success,” Helen Cardon said. “Since we are an immersive program, we have so many partners who donate their valuable time mentoring and supporting our scholars. Camping on the ground, traveling abroad, sharing time together over lunches or dinners and having innumerable conversations with our students is very timeconsuming and we can’t say thank you enough.”
When Jeff and Helen first launched First Ascent Scholars, they were hoping to achieve a 70% graduation rate among their cohorts. Over the life of the program, they’ve achieved an 85% graduation rate and a nearly 100% employment rate for First
Ascent graduates. Now, they hope their success can be replicated across the University of Utah and even around the country.
“Aspirationally, it would be great if the state, other universities, or other philanthropies took note of our success and created similar programs that provide hands-on services and not scholarship money alone,” Jeff Cardon said.
As for First Ascent, Jeff and Helen are proud of to have met their goal – higher graduation rates and better employment opportunities for underprivileged students – and celebrating with those students has been the best part of the past 10 years.
“We always say that graduation day is the happiest day of our year,” the couple said. “To see our wideeyed freshmen mature and become amazing college graduates is incredible.”
THANK YOU!
I hope you have been inspired by the stories you’ve read in the preceding pages. And, more importantly, I hope you understand the power and impact of your scholarship giving. Our students have worked so hard to get here, and your generous support helps ensure they can achieve their dream of a college degree.
We are also so grateful for the ways you are supporting our students beyond financial contributions. Mentoring students, pairing them with internships, hiring them for jobs – even just going to lunch to network and share your story – it all makes a difference. Many of our students are navigating a brand-new path, and your guidance as they take their next steps is truly invaluable.
At the David Eccles School of Business, we see our students transform into the business leaders of tomorrow. These students are prepared with the technical skills to build successful careers, but they are also learning how to be compassionate, ethical, and strategic leaders who will impact their companies and communities in positive ways. They know they can do good while also doing well, and we can’t wait to see the remarkable things ahead for each of them.
Thank you again for being a part of building this future. We value your investment in our students, our school, and our community.
Katie Amundsen Assistant Dean, Alumni Relations & Development