LAWRENCE - Rider University's College of Business Administration recently announced the recipients of its inaugural Rider Way Academic and Personal Achievement Award for Graduate Business Students and Faculty.
The student recipient is Michael Rosati, of Hamilton, and the faculty recipient is David Suk of Yardley, Pa., associate professor of finance, according to a university news release.
The Rider Way Award was created to honor students and faculty members who have demonstrated exemplary academic and professional accomplishments as well as leadership and service within the Graduate Business program. Faculty and students were welcomed to nominate individuals, as well as self-nominate.
Though Rosati had a promising career in the U.S. Coast Guard, he left after seven years of active duty in order to wrestle and pursue his bachelor's degree at Rider.
Five years later, Rosati has not only reached his dreams of a degree in liberal studies, but he has become a visible leader on campus as a student-athlete on Rider's wrestling team and current student in the graduate business program. While in his third semester at Rider, he was contacted by the Coast Guard and asked to return to reserve duty as a chief petty officer. Since then, Rosati has managed a demanding academic schedule, wrestling and military obligations.
Gary Taylor, head wrestling coach, John Hangey, associate head wrestling coach, James Castagnera, associate provost, and Jeffery Halpern, academic adviser for wrestling, wrote Rosati's nomination letter.
"Having some life experience, Mike immediately assumed a mentoring role with his teammates," they wrote. "He serves as a role model encouraging other athletes to make good choices, has helped freshman acclimate to college life, and has helped many students with choosing their majors and careers to pursue."
Suk has served as a Rider faculty member for the past 22 years. During that time, he has made significant contributions to the graduate business program in his roles as professor and mentor. Suk, a recipient of 10 Summer Research Fellowships and five Davis Fellowships, has authored more than 40 papers and presented at numerous conferences.
In his nomination letter, John Hall E.M.B.A. '11 noted Suk's dedication to his students.
"To say David Suk is passionate is an understatement. He has the ability to wrap his students up in discussion and finance principles using sound direction and a strong sense of humor," Hall wrote. "He has an exceptional understanding of finance and economics and it is that collective balance that makes him such a visionary in the classroom."
Rosati and Suk will be formally recognized during the Graduate Business Alumni and Student Networking Night on Thursday, April 5, at Nassau Inn, 10 Palmer Square, in Princeton. For more information and to register, please visit http://alumni.rider.edu/gradbusnetwork.
