The IU MBA Columbus program celebrated recent graduates and honored students, faculty and community partner Toyota Material Handling during its annual Etiquette Dinner and Awards Ceremony at Harrison Lake Country Club on May 18, 2023.

The celebratory event incorporates a mealtime learning experience for MBA program participants, helping prepare them for future business dinners. Guided by etiquette consultant Mary Starvaggi from The Etiquette Advantage, participants shared a meal designed to enhance professional development, communication skills, and build community relations.

“We are pleased to offer our students the chance to have a professional dining experience under the guidance of an etiquette expert,” said J.K. Lee, director of the IU MBA Columbus program. “Previous graduates have shared how much they enjoyed this event, and we’ve found it’s a fun, meaningful capstone to our program.”

The evening features an awards ceremony to recognize outstanding MBA student and faculty achievements and honor a valuable community partner who contributes to the program’s success.

This year’s award winners include:

Outstanding MBA Faculty: Philip Marsh (North Vernon, IN)

This award recognizes an MBA instructor who has played an instrumental and memorable role in contributing to knowledge and skills development for the graduating cohort.

Community Partner Award: Toyota Material Handling

This award makes public our appreciation for exceptional support of, and contribution to, the vision of graduate business education that drives IU MBA Columbus.

MBA Culture Award: Jennifer Darnold (Madison, IN)

This award recognizes a student in each graduating cohort who best exemplifies the vision of the culture we aim to develop and sustain for the IU MBA Columbus program.

Outstanding MBA Student: Man Sung, Jr.  (Columbus, IN)

This award recognizes a student in each graduating cohort who combines academic excellence with the general management and leadership qualities we aim for as the practical results of obtaining an MBA.

First Year Leadership Award: Zachary Riley (Columbus, IN)

This award recognizes that the first year of the program can be a difficult transition to graduate level work. Success in the first year often depends upon the leadership of one or two student peers who stand out for helping the cohort complete this adjustment by the end of the spring semester.

For more information about the IU MBA Columbus program, visit iupuc.edu/mba.