Clark University’s School of Management (SOM) recently celebrated the induction of 34 students into Beta Gamma Sigma, the international honor society exclusively for business programs accredited by AACSB International – the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. In addition, GSOM honored three students, an alumna, and two faculty members with awards for their scholarship, leadership, and service.

Membership in the prestigious Beta Gamma Sigma honor society is the highest recognition a business student can receive in a program accredited by AACSB International. Beta Gamma Sigma has just 590 collegiate chapters around the world. To be eligible, students must rank in the top 10 percent of their undergraduate management program, or the top 20 percent of their MBA or master’s in accounting, finance, or business analytics program.

Kasey Roscello ’19, received the top undergraduate management award, given in memory of dedicated and generous friends of Clark University, Morton and Vivian Sigel. Roscello earned the honor for having the highest GPA among all students in the management major, while also double majoring in psychology. She will continue her studies here at Clark as she enters the MBA program. Morton Sigel graduated from Clark with a degree in business in 1951 and the couple remained active in the Worcester community throughout their lives.

Mohamed Elmaola ’18, MBA expected ’20, earned a second award given in memory of the Sigel Family for his excellent academic achievement and for demonstrating strength of character, leadership skills, and an outstanding potential for future success in business. Elmaola is currently an MBA student and a Phi Beta Kappa scholar with an undergraduate degree in psychology. After graduating with his MBA, he intends to serve as an infantry officer through his participation in the Army ROTC program at WPI.

Emilee Cocuzzo ’18, MBA ’19, was the 2019 winner of the Hausrath Leadership Award, named in honor of Clark graduate, William F. Hausrath. Cocuzzo earned her bachelor’s degree in management and a minor in innovation and entrepreneurship from Clark in 2018, and this spring completed her MBA with concentration in business analytics. She will be joining Booz Allen Hamilton immediately following graduation. Mr. Hausrath graduated from Clark University in 1953 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. After a distinguished career, he and his wife, Agnes, became engaged supporters of Clark, with generous donations that have allowed for the creation of undergraduate scholarships, the Armenian Genocide Fellowship Fund, and the Hausrath Fund for Business Leadership.

Faculty Awards

SOM recognized two faculty members for their outstanding work with students and dedication to SOM. Longtime GSOM faculty member Barbara Bigelow, PhD was the recipient of two honors.  As determined by a vote by the graduating Beta Gamma Sigma students, Professor Bigelow won the Beta Gamma Sigma Professor of the Year award. She also earned the distinguished Business Honoree award for 2019, which recognizes an individual who has achieved distinction in business and administration. Bigelow joined Clark in 1989 and has served in numerous positions during her tenure, most recently as Academic Associate Dean in GSOM and Co-Chair of the GSOM faculty. She has been the President of Clark’s Beta Gamma Sigma chapter since 1989.

The undergraduate management professor of the year award, voted on by the graduating senior management majors, was presented to assistant professor of finance Zhenyang (David) Tang, PhD, who has taught in SOM since 2014.  Students credited him with a “magical ability to simplify and explain complex concepts” in his finance courses.

By Meredith Galena
Communications Specialist, Academic Adviser
Graduate School of Management, Clark University