Signature awards
Each year, the Mike Ilitch School of Business presents signature awards to Michigan business leaders, alumni and faculty at our Recognition and Awards Program.
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Michigan Executive of the Year
The Michigan Executive of the Year Award recognizes an individual in a senior leadership position at a business, government or non-profit organization that is based or has a substantial presence in the state of Michigan. The primary criteria for selection of this award are recent or ongoing actions by the honoree and/or his or her organization that are likely to reflect positively on the state of Michigan and the disciplines researched and taught within the Mike Ilitch School of Business.
| 2019 Frank Venegas The Ideal Group | 2018 Andy Appleby General Sports and Entertainment | |
| 2017 | 2016 | 2015 Andra M. Rush The Rush Group Family of Companies |
| 2014 Susan T. Mosey Midtown Detroit, Inc. | 2013 Robert G. Riney Henry Ford Health System | 2009 James B. Nicholson PVS Chemicals, Inc. |
| 2008 Florine Mark The WW Group, Inc. | 2007 | 2006 David A. Brandon Domino's Pizza |
| 2005 Jay Alix AlixPartners Holdings, Inc. | 2004 Peter Karmanos, Jr. Compuware Corporation | 2003 G. Richard Wagoner, Jr. General Motors Corporation |
| 2001 Peter Schweitzer J. Walter Thompson Company | 2000 Matty and Nora Moroun and Family CenTra, Inc. | 1999 Michael and Marian Ilitch and Family Ilitch Holdings, Inc. |
Distinguished Alumni Award
The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes alumni of the Mike Ilitch School of Business whose exceptional achievements over a career in business, education or public service have brought honor and distinction to his or her alma mater.
| 2019 Ronia Kruse | ||
| 2018 Tom Tierney | 2017 David Leone | 2016 Mark Davidoff |
| 2015 Thomas S. Wilson | 2014 M. Kathleen Donald | 2013 David E. Meador |
| 2012 Wesley Pandoff | 2011 Matthew J. Simoncini | 2010 Mark Bertolini |
| 2009 Anthony P. Frabotta | 2008 David J. Breen | 2007 Therese Boldt |
| 2006 Paul A. Glantz | 2006 Sandra Pierce | 2005 Terry Cross |
| 2004 The Honorable Jack Martin | 2003 James H. Vandenberghe | 2002 Susan J. Unger |
| 2001 Osman R. Minkara | 2000 T. Norris and Vivilore Hitchman | 1999 Bernard D. Moray |
| 1998 Stephen Strome | 1997 John Utley | 1996 John E. Demmer |
| 1995 Alexander Serafyn, Ph.D. | 1994 Austin A. Kanter | 1993 Lawrence Rieger |
| 1992 Neal Zalenko | 1991 David Stulberg | 1990 Dennis O. Green |
| 1989 Charles A. Forbes | 1988 Verna S. Green | 1987 Thomas E. O'Hara |
| 1986 Mark W. Mehall | 1985 Marie Farrell Donaldson | 1984 Paul W. Czamanske |
| 1983 Eugene M. Tomlinson | 1982 Ronald Stone | 1981 Robert W. Hague |
Emerging Leader Award
The Emerging Leader Award recognizes a more recent graduate of the Mike Ilitch School of Business who has already distinguished themselves as a "rising star" in their industry or community and who shows even greater promise for the future.
| 2019 Jason Brown | ||
| 2018 Lydia Michael | 2017 Fares Ksebati | 2016 Krystina Borrocci |
| 2015 Antonio Lück | 2014 Kevin Jappaya | 2013 Kirk King |
Inspirational Teacher Award
This award provides our proud WSU business school alumni with the opportunity to submit stories about professors who truly inspired them, encouraged them, broadened their horizons or made a lasting positive impact on their lives. Nominees must be living current or former members of the WSU Mike Ilitch School of Business faculty (full time or part time).
| 2019 Deborah Jones | 2019 Lori Sisk | 2018 William Volz |
| 2017 Attila Yaprak | 2016 Jeff Stoltman | 2015 John Taylor |
