The Outstanding Student in Marketing Award is
based on "Best All Around" - outstanding academic performance,
leadership while at JMU, and contributions in and outside of the
classroom. The 2008 recipient is Sarah
Peterson (peterssm@jmu.edu), a double major in Marketing and Psychology. Sarah has
participated in numerous organizations while attending JMU. Along
with serving as the College of Business Department Representative
for the Marketing Class of 2008, she is also a member of Beta Gamma
Sigma, Phi Kappa Phi, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars,
and Circle K International. During her junior and senior
years, Sarah completed her Marketing Senior Honors Thesis. Sarah is
the recipient of the 2007/2008 Edythe Rowley Scholarship and the
2004/2005 JMU Faculty/Staff Scholarship. Last summer she interned
with The Homestead in the Convention Services department in Hot
Springs, Virginia, where she assisted with event planning and
market research. Sarah's long term career goals include earning an
MBA and working in sports and entertainment marketing or
advertising. Sarah is seated with her parents, Scott and
Shari Peterson.
Courtney
Gearhart(gearhacf@jmu.edu) is the
2008 recipient of the Marketing Faculty
Award for Excellence.
Selection criteria include outstanding academic performance,
contributions in and outside of the classroom, with emphasis on
service to the community. Courtney earned a
concentration in European Business when she completed the COB 300
semester abroad program in Antwerp, Belgium in the Fall of
2006. In her time at JMU, she has been involved with
SafeRides and Madison Marketing Association, and held positions
with her campus ministry group, Canterbury. Courtney has also
been a Relay for Life team captain since her sophomore year, and is
a member of Beta Gamma Sigma honor society. Last summer, she
interned in the marketing department of the Verizon Wireless
Virginia Beach Amphitheater. After graduating, Courtney hopes
to move farther south and start a career in the field of
Business-to-Business sales. Courtney is seated with her
friends - Glynis McCabe and Chris
Rennix.
Laura
Karr(karrla@jmu.edu) is the 2008 recipient
of the Derek Sprague Marketing
Award. Derek
Sprague is a JMU Marketing alumni who began funding this award
immediately after graduating from JMU and has continued to do so
for over fifteen years. The student selected for this award
must show strong academic performance and also demonstrate a
willingness to take initiative and bring a sense of
entrepreneurship to their collegiate learning
experience. Laura has participated
in numerous organizations while attending JMU. Along with serving
as Sales and Promotions chair of Zeta Tau Alpha and Secretary of
Order of Omega, she is also a member of the Golden Key
International Honor Society and Beta Sigma Gamma International
Honor Society. During her junior and senior year, Laura
worked to complete her Senior Honors Thesis which admitted her into
the JMU Honors Program. Last summer Laura completed an internship
at Internet Strategy Group in Baltimore, Maryland. Laura was
offered the opportunity to continue her internship from school and
worked part time for the company during her senior year. After
graduation, she will be working full time at Internet Strategy
Group as a Media Planner. Laura is joined by her parents (Ann
and David Karr).
Every year the National
Retail Federation selects an outstanding retailer from industry and
the recipient of this industry award then names and endows a $1,500
scholarship for the university of his/her choice. When the CEO
of JCPenney received the retail award, he selected James Madison
University to receive the JCPenney Spirit
Award. Students selected for this award must
have strong academic credentials and must have demonstrated an
interest in retailing as a career through coursework and
extra-curricular internships. Michael Snader (snaderma@jmu.edu) is the recipient of
the 2008 JCPenney Spirit Award. Michael has completed
coursework and projects relevant to retailing while at JMU.
He is a member in the Madison Marketing Association and Beta Gamma
Sigma International Business Honor Society. He is also
involved with Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, he served the
community as a youth sponsor at Zion Mennonite Church, and is a
part time ski instructor at Massanutten resort. Michael
completed an operations management internship with Vulcan Materials
Company. Upon graduation he will be working with AXA Advisors
as a financial planner in the Harrisonburg area.
Attending the awards dinner are Linda Snader
(mother), Kristina Snader (sister), and Melissa Jones
(girlfriend).
