Merit Awards Presented to Top Business Students

It's a privilege to recognize these Merit Award recipients, some of the most promising students I've had the pleasure to know. Their talent and drive signal that they are poised to become tomorrow's leading figures in the business world.

Kathea Smith Assistant Dean

students at the 2025 academic achievement awards ceremony — Ten undergraduate business students pose during the school's 2025 Academic Acheivement Awards ceremony.

The Merrick School of Business faculty selected these high-achieving undergraduate students from each academic program or discipline based on their demonstrated academic strengths for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Mariam Arshad, B.S. '25

Finance Merit Award

Miriam will graduate in May 2025 with a B.S. in Business Administration degree and a specialization in finance.

Eric Belyea, B.S. '24

General Business Merit Award

Eric earned a B.S. in Business Administration degree and a specialization in general business in December 2024.

Katie Boettinger, B.S. '24

Mary Lou Hudson Award in Accounting

Kate earned a B.S. in Business Administration degree and a specialization in accounting in December 2024.

Melissa Bone

Accounting Merit Award

Melissa will graduate in May 2025 with a B.S. in Business Administration degree and a specialization in accounting.

Maria Cedillo Arevalo, B.S. '24

Real Estate Merit Award

Maria earned a B.S. in Business Administration degree and a specialization in real estate and economic development in December 2024.

Kevin Caffrey, B.S. '25

Data Analytics Merit Award

Kevin will graduate in May 2025 with a B.S. in Business Administration degree and a specialization in data analytics.

Alec Davidson, B.S. '25

Management Merit Award

Alec will graduate in May 2025 with a B.S. in Business Administration degree and a specialization in general business.

Safiya Halley, B.S. '25

Charles Siegmann Information Technology Award

Safiya will graduate in May 2025 with a B.S. in Information Systems and Technology Management.

Dr. Praneet Randhawa present the Marketing Merit Award to Maliha Javaid

Maliha Javaid, B.S. '25

Dr. Peter Lynagh Marketing Merit Award

Maliha will graduate in May 2025 with a B.S. in Business Administration degree and a specialization in marketing.

Dr. Sanwar Sunny presents the Entreprenuership Merit Award to Aasha Mikha’El.

Aasha Mikha’El, B.S. '25

Entrepreneurship Merit Award

Aasha will graduate in May 2025 with a B.S. in Business Administration degree and a specialization in entrepreneurship.

Aasha also earned the Ratcliffe Entrepreneurship Fellows Program Medallion.

Aaron Okafor, B.S. '24

Human Resource Management Merit Award

Aasha will graduate in May 2025 with a B.S. in Business Administration degree and a specialization in human resource management.

One of the most rewarding aspects of being a dean is the opportunity to celebrate our students' accomplishments. These moments vividly illustrate how their grit and determination pave the path, overcoming hurdles and culminating in the success they strive for.

Raju Balakrishnan Dean, Merrick School of Business