Honoring Excellence

Across the University and the nation, College of Business alumni, students, faculty and staff are going above and beyond to make a difference. Several of these outstanding individuals were recognized for their accomplishments and contributions at events throughout the semester. “The ISU College of Business is one of the best business schools in the country because of our incredible professors, staff, students and alumni,” said College of Business Dean and Michael C. Ruettgers Professor of Marketing Shane Hunt. “We are very thankful to have so many members of the College of Business family doing extraordinary things in their businesses, communities and classrooms across the state and throughout the country.”

Kade Borgholthaus, Student Employee of the Year

As a tutor and ISU Ambassador, business major Borgholthaus’ infectiously upbeat and positive personality inspires both peers and tutees to perform at their best. Students benefit not only from his expertise, but also witness a role model embodying dedication, resilience, and a passion for education. In nurturing these qualities, Borgholthaus plays a pivotal role in shaping aspiring minds for a brighter future.

Don Burdick, Professional Achievement Award Winner

Idaho State University’s annual Professional Achievement Awards recognize some of the most influential alumni for their valuable and distinguished contributions to Idaho State, their profession and their community. This year’s winner from the College of Business was accounting alumnus Don Burdick. Burdick held several high positions before retiring, the most recent of which was Senior Vice President of eCommerce and Travel for Costco.

Dawn Konicek, Distinguished Faculty Award Winner - Outstanding Service

Konicek was the lead coordinator for the ISU Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program for 12 years and has been involved with the International Collegiate Business Strategy Competition for the past nine years. In addition to VITA, she has conducted several tax seminars and has helped Afghanistan refugees, convicts, nursing home residents and immobile elderly people with their taxes. Overall, her love for her profession is not about the technicalities of taxes but the ability to help and serve the community.

For the third year, the College of Business hosted Circle of Excellence - an event honoring and celebrating the success of top-tier students, faculty and staff. Students were chosen based on grade point average, faculty nominations and club leadership. In addition to each student receiving individual recognition, three faculty and one staff member (listed below) where individually recognized for their exemplary work.

Claudia Allen, Staff Excellence

Allen has done a variety of amazing work for the College of Business and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) over the past nine years. She has been responsible for saving local businesses thousands of dollars in bookkeeping costs and IRS penalties. Every semester, she teaches Quickbooks for Continuing Education and Workforce Training and has helped bring in high-impact clients to the SBDC. Her work supports and contributes to the College’s community outreach.

Chris Chatwin, Outstanding Teacher

Chatwin consistently teaches the most students every semester while also receiving some of the highest student evaluations. Many students have said they have decided to become business majors because of what they learned and the experience they had in Chatwin’s general education business course.

Alex Bolinger, Outstanding Researcher

Bolinger consistently publishes research at the highest level in his field. He is known for being a strong mentor for students, assisting many in becoming published research authors before they graduate. He often goes above and beyond to assist graduate students with research that helps them get into esteemed PhD programs. The most recent of these was MBA student Josh Luker, who was accepted into his program at University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Kristen Thompson, Outstanding Service

Thompson volunteers and assists with a variety of community projects, including educational projects with School District 25. She was also instrumental in the development of the online Master of Accountancy program that launched this semester. This included implementing and partnering with Becker, a global leader in CPA Exam prep.