August 01, 2007

Business student wins prestigious scholar award

by Sun Min

bishop

Caption follows story

CARBONDALE, Ill. — A business student at Southern Illinois University Carbondale is one of just 12 students nationwide selected to receive a Golden Key Graduate Scholar Award, which comes with a $10,000 prize.

Cassie Bishop of Mt. Carmel, an MBA student in the College of Business and Administration, said she is “thrilled” about the honor. She will graduate in August and then use the money to fund her studies this fall at Ecole de Management in Grenoble, France, where Bishop will pursue an international MBA. The 21 year old hopes to eventually find work in creative marketing.

“This award speaks to the quality of our students and to the commitment of our faculty in guiding these students,” said J. Dennis Cradit, dean of the College of Business and Administration.

In fact, Bishop credits “a core group of marketing professors and other faculty who have been essential to my success,” she said. “Gordon Bruner, Terry Clark, Maryon King, John Summey and Marilyn Rivers – they've all been so good to me. Their guidance and mentorship have been invaluable!”

Bishop, daughter of Rodney and Cindy Bishop, received a bachelor’s degree in marketing and management from SIUC in 2006. “I had such a positive experience at the College of Business as an undergrad. That’s why I stayed to get my MBA,” she said.

As an undergraduate, Bishop served as president of the Golden Key Academic Honor Society and president of the College of Business student council. She was also a Provost scholar, one of 25 “Distinguished Seniors” and 2006 Outstanding Marketing Major.

“Cassie is an exceptional individual,” said Maryon F. King, associate professor of marketing and interim director of the Partnership for Innovation Center. “Cassie’s enthusiasm and dedication have resulted in significant positive contributions to all these organizations.”

The Golden Key International Honor Society honors students who excel in scholarship and extend their abilities beyond the classroom to benefit society. Judges rate applicants based on grades, academic rigor, leadership, activities and an essay describing their most outstanding intellectual endeavor.

Golden Key has nearly 350 chapters at post-secondary schools in the U.S., Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia and South Africa. The group recognizes scholastic achievement among college and university students from all academic disciplines. Nearly $500,000 is awarded each year through 17 scholarship and award programs.