The University Convention School of Business Hall of Fame induction ceremony featured many funny and inspiring stories, heartfelt thanks, and great business advice worthy of Adam Grant’s bestseller.
The annual event drew more than 300 people to the Hartford Marriott Downtown on Friday night to honor and celebrate five of the school’s most successful graduates and share the excitement of the school’s accomplishments. .
The following five alumni joined the club.
New employees recognized as leaders with resilience and heart
In his opening remarks, UConn President Radenka Maric Alumni inductees described them as wonderful people who are resilient and lead with heart. She said they set an example for students and other young people because they work hard, are committed to great ideas and have perseverance.
david souderThe school’s senior vice dean and master of ceremonies said this year’s celebration, like previous years, was very well received.
“We had a full house to celebrate our incredible graduates who have been inducted into the Hall of Fame,” Souder said. “Each of them gave heartfelt and moving statements that demonstrate why they deserve this honor.” “The energy in the room was palpable and many people said they were glad to be able to attend.”
Schiller shares interesting stories from his early career.
Perhaps the most entertaining talk of the night came from Mr. Schiller, a member of the Dean’s Advisory Cabinet, who spoke about the challenges he faced early in his career. Two of his company’s executives were invited to speak at a large conference, but were unable to attend due to illness. Mr. Shiller had only been with the accounting firm Touche Ross for six months, but he had to give the keynote address.
He prepared by playing the theme song from the movie “Rocky” in his car to boost his confidence. His colleagues urged him to speak slowly so there would be no time for questions at the end of the talk. But Mr. Schiller was nervous and continued to flog his presentation until, at the end, he had 20 minutes left to answer questions that he, as a novice, was unable to answer.
One of the senior partners came to his rescue, ran up to the stage and said: Mr. Schiller has something urgent to do! ” and chased him away.
Schiller said the experience taught him to always be “game ready” and have a contingency plan. Be careful who you listen to, he said, because they may not be as knowledgeable as they seem. Whenever you need to muster up some courage, always play some motivational music.
The audience laughed out loud at his story. He ended his speech on a serious note. He urged the audience to support charities and told students: “With hard work, risk-taking, and some luck, you can achieve anything!”
Elliot: “He saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself.”
“Now that I’m here, I understand why I chose business over public speaking,” Elliott joked as he accepted the award. During her college years, Elliott played in 135 games for the women’s basketball team, including her 1995 season when the team won her NCAA National Championship.
This year, she completed her 16th season as coach of the UConn women’s basketball team. She also served as the head women’s basketball coach at Cincinnati from 2009 to 2018.
Through tears, Elliott believed that his late mother, Charlotte, taught him the importance of education. His father, James, who attended the Hall of Fame dinner, provided unwavering support and never missed a basketball game.
She also thanked the UConn women’s basketball head coach. Geno AuriemmaFormer teammate and roommate attended the ceremony because “I saw something in myself that I couldn’t see in myself.” Jennifer RizzottiElliott, who is currently president of the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun, also sat at Elliott’s table.
Malick said it was a tough job for Elliott to have to be dragged off the court before his boss, Auriemma, could say something inflammatory, a comment that delighted the audience. She says the women’s basketball team and its coaches, who made it to the NCAA Final Four despite losing six players to season-ending injuries, are all champions because they “achieved the impossible.” he said.
Elliott said there weren’t many upward mobility options in the area of Washington, D.C., where she grew up. Basketball and a strong work ethic were her ticket to bigger things.
“Where you come from doesn’t determine where you go in life,” she told the audience. “I have had many unforgettable moments, and this is one of them. I am filled with gratitude.”
Boucher and Family Champion Entrepreneurship
Boucher, who took the stage to accept the award, said he never dreamed of being inducted into the Hall of Fame. She vividly remembers sitting at the back of her elementary school classroom and not understanding a single word of English.
She overcame the language barrier to continue serving in the Connecticut State Legislature for 22 years. She dedicated much of her speech in honor of her late husband Bud, who had her unstoppable determination and her optimism. She said she hopes students follow his example and fearlessly pursue success.
“Years ago, my husband Bud and I took on a very risky startup,” she said. “Even when all seemed lost, we kept moving forward. Bud is my inspiration and the best example of never giving up, even when others have.” Even though we failed countless times, we still had the courage to fail…until we succeeded more than we could have ever imagined.”
Boucher, who was accompanied by his son Chris and other relatives, is a strong believer in entrepreneurship and the economic benefits it can bring. Business School” Boucher Management and Entrepreneurship Department It was named in honor of the couple.
McChesney’s Career Advice: Never Stop Learning
McChesney recalled that in the early 1990s, he needed a place to grow, be challenged and encouraged. He found all of that at his UConn, which he said shaped his career and character. He graduated with honors with a degree in Finance and then earned his MBA from the University of Massachusetts.
McChesney has built his career around understanding what makes businesses and organizations successful and identifying how to create value for all stakeholders. He quickly rose through the ranks at his Stanley Black & Decker, eventually making him his CFO for his Security and Tools business unit, which includes the DeWalt, Stanley, Craftsman, and Black & Decker brands. He was also instrumental in the merger of Stanley Works and Black & Decker and the acquisition of Craftsman Tools and Newell Tools.
He currently serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of MSA Safety Co., a company focused on protecting people, places and the planet. His family and friends gathered from across the country to celebrate his inauguration.
He encouraged students to never stop learning. “I’ve learned more in the last five years than I did in the previous 20 years,” he said. He also urged the audience to “hold high the traditions of the university” and to be considerate and helpful to the communities in which they live.
Fortin tells students to ‘dare to dream big’
The daughter of Italian immigrants, Fortin grew up with English as a second language. She was the first in her family to attend university, and UW opened her world to great possibilities.
She gave credit to her accounting professors. dick kochanek and later period larry gramling I would like to thank you for your tremendous support, influence, and encouragement during my college years.
“Angels sometimes see our potential more clearly than we do,” says Fortin, who serves on the dean’s advisory cabinet.
Fortin said she never imagined she would receive such an important award and encouraged students to imagine themselves standing on that stage someday. She said she leverages her resources, boldly dreams big, is curious and sets big goals.
“Plan your life and celebrate your victories because there will be moments when you will face setbacks. How you deal with these adversities will define you,” she said. “Brace yourself, look ahead and plan your next move.”
“Destiny is not a matter of choice,” she said. “It’s not something to wait for, it’s something to achieve. Your future is waiting for you to seize it!”
Freshman students were also recognized at the event. douglas sisco ’24 MBA; Mariela Magan ’24MS Fintech, Christian Chlebowski ’24, and carolyn kumelo ’24.
