Congratulations to the students and faculty who received awards at the University of Pittsburgh School of Business’s Spring 2026 Master’s Awards Ceremony on Friday, May 1, 2026, at the University Club in Oakland.
Addressing the graduates, Gene Anderson, Henry E. Haller, Jr. Dean said the night was a time for celebration. “First, we want to celebrate the achievements and contributions of all our graduates. Whether or not you’re here today to be recognized with a particular award, each one of you is deserving of our recognition, appreciation, and gratitude.”
He announced the recipients of three student awards and three faculty member awards:
- Dean’s Outstanding Student Service Award – Master of Science: Joshua Peters
- Dean’s Outstanding Student Service Award – Part-time MBA: James Tyler
- Dean’s Outstanding Student Service Award – Full-time MBA: Chloe Starliper
- Full-time Master’s Program Student Choice Award for Outstanding Teaching: Elise Boyas
- Part-time MBA Student Choice Award for Outstanding Teaching: Jennifer Shang
- Master of Science in Accounting Student Choice Award for Outstanding Teaching: Karen Shastri
Student Awards
Rebecca Badawy, associate dean for MBA and specialty masters and clinical associate professor of Business Administration, announced the student award winners:
- Sheth Foundation Scholars in Marketing: Inaya Mander, Sarah Orr, and Yiching Azure Hsiao
- Pitt Business Outstanding Finance Graduate Student Award: Darren Keglovits
- Outstanding Supply Chain Management Master’s Student Awards: Luis Pachon Parra
- Outstanding Accounting Graduate Student Award: Lindsey Rolke
- Marshall Alan Robinson Prize for Excellence: Raven Byars
Students Share Memories and Inspiration
Badawy introduced the three students selected to address the audience.
Theresa Wohlever (MBA ’26), the part-time MBA student speaker, talked about juggling classes with a full-time job, “We may not have the most hours to devote to our degree, but the hours we give are focused, efficient, and effective – part-time students are all-time achievers.” To the other students who, like her, are also parents, she reminded them that, “our kids are learning what it looks like to keep going when something is hard. We’re showing them resilience, tenacity, and perseverance.”
The Master of Science student speaker Kelly Delpino (MS ‘26) told her fellow graduates that they entered school as strangers and quickly became a family, “We learned from each other, got to depend on one another, and lifted each other up when times were hard.”
She is filled with gratitude for the faculty and staff and thanked her mom for her constant support.
Inaya Mander (MBA ’26), the full-time MBA student speaker, shared how all the graduates benefited from stepping out of their comfort zone to embrace the challenges of graduate school, saying “We faced challenges, academically, professionally, and personally. And through that, we grew because challenges are the seeds of hope.”
Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society
Prakash Mirchandani, professor of business analytics and operations, led the induction of 18 students into the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society, the scholastic honor society dedicated to the principles and ideals that are essential to a worthy life as well as a commendable business career.
Badawy ended the evening by telling the graduates they should be immensely proud of themselves.
“On behalf of the faculty and staff of the Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business at the University of Pittsburgh School of Business I commend you on your hard work, intellectual and community engagement, and determination,” she said. “We are excited to see the impact you will have in the years ahead and encourage you to remain engaged as alumni.”