School of Business Honors Alumnus, Graduates during Commencement Ceremony

May 7, 2021

On Friday, May 7, the School of Business conferred on members of the Class of 2021 bachelor’s degrees in human resources management, marketing, finance, accounting, management, and master of business administration.

New graduate Emma Pyrak receives her diploma during the School of Business Commencement ceremony.

In congratulatory remarks to the graduates, Dr. Carol Wittmeyer, interim dean of the School, offered well wishes and encouragement, reflecting on the graduates’ unprecedented journey toward their degrees.

“We have been so inspired by you, by your resilience, by all you did to take advantage of everything Fisher had to offer you. You put your masks on and came to class in person or showed up on Zoom. You also forgot you were muted. You stayed socially distant from your friends, cleaned your desks like your moms were watching, you participated in challenging business competitions, interviewed for jobs on Zoom, and shared your dreams and challenges with those around you with an empowering sense of vulnerability,” Wittmeyer said. “Favorite Class of 2021, you were always on stage. And, we were watching you with great joy. We thank you for our journey together.”

During the ceremony, Dr. Gerard J. Rooney, president of the College, and Diana Nole, chair of the Board of Trustees, presented alumnus and past Board Chair Jack DePeters ’73 with an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters in recognition of his service to and dedicated support of the College. Other than the earned doctorate, the honorary degree is the highest recognition that an institution can bestow upon an individual who has a sustained record of significant achievement.

During the School of Business ceremony, alumnus Jack DePeters offers words of advice to graduates.

Upon accepting the degree, DePeters encouraged graduates to take their dreams and Fisher values into the business world and make it a better place.

“Your experiences at St. John Fisher College have readied you to take the next steps toward reaching your goals and dreams,” he said, going on to share stories of the family, friends, and colleagues who served as his mentors throughout his life before offering final words of advice. “Embrace change–it’s constant–empower others, set your goals high, celebrate your successes, give incredible service throughout your career, and become a leader. Never think about yourself first, always help others. By doing this, blessings and good fortune will come your way.”

Ben Bedosky ’20, who earned his undergraduate degree last May and completed the MBA program this year, offered remarks on behalf of the graduates.

“It is with great honor that I am here today and speaking in front of all of you and your families with arguably one of the most resilient graduating classes in history,” Bedosky said, noting that as a first-year student five years ago, he could not have predicted finishing his degrees amid a global pandemic. “Our time as students at Fisher has ended, but the impact it has had on all of us will last forever. I encourage all of you to apply the skills and knowledge we have developed over the past few years and to truly make an impact in the world.”

A new graduate of the School of Business waves to family in the audience.

As part of the ceremony, the School also honored recipients of its annual academic awards, recognizing the following students for their accomplishments in and out of the classroom:

Undergraduate Awards

  • Award for Excellence in Human Resources Management: Nicholas James Cerbone and Maria Guglietta Marcera
  • Award for Excellence in General Business Management: Jack Charles Lewandowski
  • 2021 Senior Marketing Award: Emily Katharine Trotman
  • Delta Sigma Pi Scholarship Key: Jack Charles Lewandowski
  • Charles P. Wolfe Award: Matthew Paul Jeffries
  • Award for Excellence in Finance: Trevor Michael Boyd and Oliver J. Clayton
  • Otto A. Shults Accounting Excellence Award: Joseph John Dotterweich Jr., Allison Marie Colella, Megan Marie Kreger, Jomarie Ann McIntyre, Jacob Storsberg, and Emily Irene Crispin
  • Otto A. Shults Academic Excellence Award: Cindy C. Fouraker

Graduate Awards

  • Otto A. Shults Academic Excellence Award: Benjamin Augustine Bedosky
  • Master of Business Administration Distinguished Student Award: William Harold Wicks and Sergio Orlando Chavez- Rodriguez
  • Master of Business Administration Scholarly Achievement Award: Mariah L Doig and Kristin MacDonell Eklin