Second Annual Circle of Excellence Honors High Achieving Students, Faculty and Staff

The College of Business hosted over 125 students, alumni and business professionals at this year’s Circle of Excellence. The event honors and celebrates the successes of top-tier students at each class level. Students were chosen based on grade point average, faculty nominations and club leadership.

“Students put an abundance of time into completing assignments, going to class, taking exams and more,” said Tara Smith, Director of Undergraduate Studies. “This was our opportunity to say, ‘we see you, we value your work ethic, and we want to thank you for showing up for yourself and us time after time.’”

Students were provided the opportunity to network before sitting down to an elegant dinner, where they listened to inspiring words from Hunt and Lookout Credit Union Chief Executive Officer Doug Chambers.

“I think the Circle of Excellence creates a welcoming environment for students to talk to faculty members and other important guests,” said business undergraduate student Remi Hedges. “Maintaining good grades can be really difficult and requires hard work throughout the entire semester. To be invited to an event and celebrated for it has really given me the motivation to keep maintaining these grades.”

This year, celebrations were also extended to faculty and staff to give recognition for the hard work they put in teaching and helping students. Faculty and staff awards were as follows: Outstanding Teacher - Dr. Alex Rose; Outstanding Researcher - Dr. Kenneth Khang; Outstanding Service - Dr. Dawn Konicek; and Staff Excellence - Ashley Larson.

In addition to college-level awards, Associate Professor of Management Dr. Tyler Burch was recognized for receiving one of 15 university-wide Outstanding Faculty Member awards, as well as winning the University’s Distinguished Teacher of the Year Award.

“Dr. Tyler Burch is a truly outstanding Professor in every way. Every part of Idaho State University is better because of Tyler’s extraordinary teaching, and I am thrilled that he received this award and much deserved recognition,” said College of Business Dean and Michael C. Ruettgers Professor of Marketing Dr. Shane Hunt.