Alumni


Student Graduation Speaker: Parth Rana ’16

Portrait of Parth Rana.
Parth Rana ’16 (Nathan Oldham/UConn School of Business)

Finance major Parth Rana ’16, the student graduation speaker, told his classmates that they shouldn’t use their UConn knowledge strictly to excel in their careers. To do so, would be an injustice to the values of the university, he said.

Instead, he urged students to show gratitude to the innumerable people that helped carry them to this height and to blend knowledge with action. Meet new people, push yourself out of your comfort zone and express passion and excitement in all that you do, he said.

Related Commencement 2016 Stories

2016 School of Business Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony (Video)

View a copy of the 2016 Commencement Program

Listen to Your Mother! New York Life President John Y. Kim ’87 MBA Delivers Light-Hearted, Advice-Filled Commencement Speech

Graduate Profiles

When School of Business Dean John A. Elliott introduced the Class of 2016 at Commencement on May 8, he congratulated them on the significant milestone of graduation and reassured them that they are well prepared for what lies ahead.

“You are poised to become prominent members of your communities, voters whose votes will guide our choices, leaders whose words will affect others,” he said. “You are prepared to continue to learn, to leave your mark on our world, to innovate and create, to produce new products and new companies and to be leaders in your communities.”

Below, some of the top students from the Class of 2016 share their future plans:


School Launches MBA Alumni Mentorship Program

A man in a suit speaking with a women at MBA Alumni Mentorship Program.
(UConn School of Business)

The School of Business is expanding its Alumni Mentor Program to give Full-time MBA students additional professional contacts, who can guide, advise and encourage them in their career pursuits.

“We have some fantastic alumni out there who want to give back to the school in various ways. They recognize the importance of mentoring in their own careers and want to pay it forward. And what better way than to mentor current MBA students?” said Suresh Nair, associate dean for graduate programs.Continue Reading



A Network of Pipes, Pools and Filters

A businessman in a suit interacts with a digital network of smiling faces connected by lines, conveying professionalism and connection.

UConn Professors Uncover Optimal Configurations of Collaboration Networks to Improve Innovative Performance

There is an old saying that it doesn’t matter what you know in life but whom you know that makes you successful. While the former may not be true, evidence by some University of Connecticut researchers indicates the latter certainly may be accurate.Continue Reading


Florida Real Estate Investor Donates Scholarship

Alum Gives Fellow Business Students a Chance to Thrive

Like many UConn finance majors, Jeffrey R. Talbot ’00 followed his dream after graduation of working on Wall Street. He became a successful investment banker at Morgan Stanley in New York, but soon realized his passion was actually real estate investment.Continue Reading



‘Where You Go In Life Is Up To You’

Denis Nayden, the School’s former director of MBA career services, Pat Mochel (far left) and Dick Kochanek, former associate dean and accounting professor (far right). in front of a helicopter.
During his extensive career with GE, Denis Nayden ’76, ’77 MBA (second from right) frequently came to speak on campus, often flying in on the company’s helicopter. With Denis are the School’s former director of MBA career services, Pat Mochel (far left) and Dick Kochanek, former associate dean and accounting professor (far right). (UConn School of Business)

Finance Chief, Philanthropist, Innovator Denis J. Nayden is a Husky Through-and-Through

A year after Denis J. Nayden ’76, ’77 MBA, graduated from UConn, he was visiting his parents in the Annapolis, Md.,-area, and attended a function at the U.S. Naval Academy.

“My father introduced me to the commandant and said, ‘This is my son, Denis, and he just graduated from UConn,'” Nayden recalled. Apparently, the commandant was only familiar with the other Yukon.

“Congratulations, son!,” the commadant replied. “I didn’t know Alaska had a university.”Continue Reading



Play Ball, Cancer Survivor!

Portrait of Ryan Radue.
Ryan Radue ’15, who was able to complete his undergraduate degree in accounting, with a certificate in management information systems a semester early. Then he started his master’s degree in accounting—all while undergoing six brutal rounds of inpatient chemotherapy. (Nathan Oldham/UConn School of Business)

UConn Baseball Pitcher/Grad Student Ryan Radue Didn’t Let Cancer Call the Play

On the baseball mound, UConn pitcher Ryan Radue can strike out his fiercest opponent with the combination of a steely gaze, a powerful right arm and a sizzling fastball.

If only cancer were that vulnerable.

Continue Reading


UConn Launches 5th Innovation Quest

Students, alumni, and mentors gathered on Feb. 22 to launch the 5th Annual Innovation Quest.
Students, alumni, and mentors gathered on Feb. 22 to launch the 5th Annual Innovation Quest. (Nathan Oldham/UConn School of Business)

Students, Teams, Ideas Soaring to New Levels, Mentors Say

Graduate nursing student Samantha Nesbeth wants to find a way to use genetics, instead of hair transplants, to help men and women regrow thinning hair.

“When you lose your hair, you see yourself as a different person,” said Nesbeth. “You don’t know who you are without hair. It can be disabling and depressing. Your hair is part of who you are,” said the Meriden native, who is planning a career as a nurse practitioner specializing in dermatology.Continue Reading