Three outstanding alumni of the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas will be honored this spring at the college’s annual awards banquet.
Mary Harmon, managing director/tax counsel at Goldman Sachs in New York City, who graduated from the Walton College in 1976 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in accounting, will receive the college’s lifetime achievement award at the banquet on April 19.
Michael Paladino, co-founder and chief technology officer of RevUnit in Bentonville, who graduated with a B.S.B.A. in information systems in 2001, will be recognized as the college’s 2018 entrepreneur of the year. Michael A. Brown, vice president and economist at Wells Fargo Securities LLC in Charlotte, North Carolina, who graduated with a B.S.B.A. in 2006 and a master’s degree in 2007, both in economics, will be honored with the Walton College outstanding service award.
Each year, the Walton College recognizes up to three alumni in the categories of service, entrepreneurship and lifetime achievement. Nominations for each category are welcomed from faculty, staff and the alumni community at-large. Final approval of the awards rests with Dean Matthew A. Waller, with input from faculty and staff.
Walton College’s lifetime achievement award is presented only to those who make significant achievements in his or her career and are recognized as industry and community leaders. To be considered for this award, a Walton College graduate must exemplify the core values of the college, inspire students and be a source of pride for the school.
The entrepreneur of the year award recognizes a Walton College graduate who has proven innovative and successful in a business venture of his or her own creation or reinvention. Preference is given to entrepreneurs who have been in business for at least five years. Consideration is also given to emerging entrepreneurs who exhibit the business acumen, drive and dedication essential to long-term success.
The college’s outstanding service award recognizes service by a Walton College graduate who helps build and sustain the alumni and student network through active engagement, such as helping students find jobs and internships, participating in and promoting alumni activities and volunteering for one of the many Walton College department, center or advisory boards.
