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Jun 1, 2022 | News

Exemplary business students recognized with Jabara Award

Professor Fran Jabara Leadership Award

Two recent Baker University graduates who thrived as business majors—Jacob Miller and Jordan Hawman—were honored as recipients of the 2022 Professor Fran Jabara Leadership Award during commencement ceremonies on May 15.

JACOB MILLER

“My Baker experience was one that I never expected,” said Miller, who is from Paola, Kansas. “I met some of my closest friends and made many of my greatest memories, all while learning from some of the greatest minds in the area. The business courses were extremely in depth, focused, and very collaborative. All of these traits played directly into my optimal learning style. This allowed for me to grow in ways I did not imagine were possible. I will always be grateful for the memories I have from this outstanding institution.”

Miller was involved in Student Academic Success, Residence Life, and wrestling while at Baker. In July, he will start his career as an audit associate for FORVIS, the company formed by the merger of BKD CPA & Advisors and DHG, in Kansas City, Missouri.

“I plan on finishing up my CPA within the next year, but my goals go beyond passing that exam. I will also pursue my CFE [certified fraud examiner] and CMA [certified management accountant],” Miller said. “I hope to work with a state or federal investigative agency, working as a forensic accountant.”

Miller credited the Baker faculty, especially Assistant Professor of Business and Economics Kevin Conley and Associate Professor of Business and Economics Gary Irick, for contributing to his success.

“Professor Conley always came into class extremely happy and made my day better regardless of whether it was Financial Accounting or the dreaded Business Law I and II final exams,” Miller said. “He always has a way to make the entire class laugh either with him or at him because of a joke that he made. He is the epitome of what a professor should try to be if they want to keep the attention of their students.

“Professor Gary Irick teaches a topic that is ridiculously difficult for many, including myself. Which is mildly ironic considering I chose to pursue the field he teaches. In all honesty, that is what drew me to his classes. I genuinely had to work three times harder than in other classes to achieve the same grade standard I had set for myself. Professor Irick has a great way of relaying information in a way that supplements all our reading and homework. I credit him with being the person that convinced me to become a CPA.”

JORDAN HAWMAN

Hawman grew up in WaKeeney, Kansas, before transferring to Jefferson West High School in Meriden, Kansas. She found a home at Baker.

“I enjoyed my Baker experience, especially with the business and economics courses,” she said. “Most were very interesting topics that challenged me and grew skills that will be valuable in the workplace. My favorite courses were probably Advanced Applied Statistics and all the quantitative analysis courses.”

She has secured a position as a middle markets underwriter trainee for Zurich Insurance Group in Washington, D.C.

“My career aspirations are to work my way up as an underwriter to manager and maybe even higher,” she said. “Additionally, I plan on moving to a branch in Europe so that I can travel as I do the job I love. Ultimately though, I plan to remain flexible with my career since I recognize that there is more than one path to take, and you never know what opportunities will present themselves along the way.”

Her campus involvement at Baker included Alpha Chi Omega sorority; track and field; cross country; parMentors; tutoring for Student Academic Success; and the honor societies Delta Mu Delta, Omicron Delta Epsilon, and Alpha Delta Sigma.

Professor of Business and Economics Kevin McCarthy, Professor of Business and Economics Judy Smrha, and Assistant Professor of Applied Mathematics Will Duncan inspired her in the classroom.

“Dr. McCarthy was always very dedicated to his students and advisees, both of which I was, so I had personal experience,” Hawman said. “He keeps in contact with them even after graduation and loves to uplift their successes. He was a huge supporter all four years, and I hope to be as passionate about my job as he was.

“Dr. Smrha is an inspiration to me because of her willingness to push the minds of her students. As a result, they quickly grow in their knowledge and apply it outside of her class. Therefore, she inspires me to push others and myself to reach goals and grow personally and professionally.

“Dr. Duncan is an inspiration to me because of his enthusiasm every day as he teaches. Additionally, he is likely the smartest and nicest person I have met, with many different life and professional experiences. Therefore, I hope to always have a great attitude and enthusiasm with everything I do, as well as the courage to try new things and the dedication to always be learning like him.”

The award is named for renowned Wichita educator and entrepreneur F.D. (Fran) Jabara, a lifelong proponent of recognizing and promoting excellence in leadership. It recognizes a male and female graduating senior from each participating private university in Kansas and includes a $1,000 award.

 

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