Academic Excellence

Tia Bentivegna

This award is often granted to students with the highest GPA in the college. Participation in special projects or research that exemplifies academic excellence might also be considered. Tia Bentivegna (Business Administration) was selected for Academic Excellence because she is the only graduating senior in the Orfalea College of Business with a 4.0. She also recently was part of a student delegation that presented its research on taxation in front of the United State House of Representatives.

Contributions to the Objectives and Public Image of the College

Miriam Abdoh & Leanna McMahon

This award considers participation in departmental and college-wide clubs, committees, special projects and activities. Service to the college is of greatest emphasis. This year the award was presented in a two-way tie to Miriam Abdoh (left) and Leanna McMahon (right). Miriam (Business Administration) is the president of the College of Business Ambassadors, a member of the coed professional business fraternity Delta Sigma Pi, a Lead Career Peer Advisor in OCOB’s Career Readiness Center, and sits as the student representative on OCOB’s Dean’s Advisory Council. Leena (Business Administration) is an OCOB Peer Advisor, a member of the Cal Poly Women in Business Club, and serves on the board for Cal the Poly Accounting Club.

Contributions to the Objectives and Public Image of the University

Morgan McIntyre

This award is given to a student who has made an outstanding contribution to the university as a whole, with primary emphasis placed on involvement in university-wide organizations, committees and projects. Morgan McIntyre (Business Administration) has worked as a WOW Orientation Leader and as an OCOB First-Year Mentor. She also sits on the Women in Business Club’s Defining Her Future Committee and is a Disability Resource Center Student Lead. Additionally, she volunteers with the Arthritis Foundation, SLO Animal Services, SLO Food Bank, and is in-home aid for children with autism.

Service to the Community

Minami Kawamoto

Service to the off-campus community is of greatest emphasis in this award, accounting in part for

the individual’s efforts to involve other students in service, the difficulty of the service performed, the impact on the off-campus community, and the amount of time contributed. Minami Kawamoto (Business Administration) is an active member on the board of the Cal Poly Accounting Club, the President of the International Students Club, and has served more than 100 hours community service through various social service agencies.