The Walker College of Business recognized 79 outstanding student leaders during its annual Honors Convocation on April 17. It's one of many celebratory activities to honor student excellence at Appalachian State University as the academic year concludes.
Held with faculty, staff, family members, and guests in attendance, the convocation highlighted students from across the college with high academic achievement awards and exemplary leadership, as well as inductions into Beta Gamma Sigma, the international business honor society for AACSB-accredited schools.
“Students, your academic contributions, leadership, service and engagement are commendable,” said Walker College Dean Sandra Vannoy. “For many of you, these recognitions reflect not just this academic year, but your entire time at Appalachian State’s Walker College of Business.”
Of the 79 students recognized, the majority are graduating this spring or summer and preparing for the next steps in their professional or academic journeys. Sophomores and juniors inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma were also recognized as emerging leaders representing “a bright future” for the college.
Academic Achievement Awards
The academic achievement awards honored students selected by faculty as outstanding within each academic program. These awards recognize more than strong academic performance, factoring in leadership, co-curricular involvement, character and interpersonal skills.
Faculty members shared reflections on each honoree’s growth, work ethic and contributions inside and outside the classroom, underscoring the meaningful mentorship relationships that shape the student experience in the Walker College.
The following students were included by major.
- Accounting: Kassandra Mendez Salinas
- Computer Information Systems: Levi Rogers
- Cybersecurity: Caleb Cash
- Economics: Jacob Norwood
- Finance and Banking: Enzo Busnello Ramos
- Hospitality and Tourism Management: Roxanne Linder
- International Business: Ayla Solomon
- Management: Alyssa Smith
- Marketing: Grace Lisi
- Risk Management and Insurance: Wilson Puckett
- Supply Chain Management: Hayden Grimes
- Master of Science in Accounting: Thomas Smith
- Master of Business Administration: Sean Owens
- Master of Science in Applied Data Analytics: Nana Dwuma
2026 Top Student Overall: Grace Lisi
Selected from the undergraduate academic achievement honorees, the 2026 Walker College's Top Student Overall was named.
Grace Lisi, a marketing major, was celebrated for her exceptional academic record, leadership and sustained involvement across campus. Faculty described Lisi as a confident and motivating leader who balances academic excellence with meaningful service and engagement.
Throughout her time at App State, Lisi has maintained a strong GPA while taking on leadership roles and contributing to multiple organizations. Her ability to lead with creativity, compassion and consistency set her apart among an accomplished cohort of students.
Pictured is 2026 Top Student Overall Grace Lisi with Walker College Dean Sandra Vannoy.
View past top students at https://business.appstate.edu/top-students.
Exemplary Leadership Awards
Students who demonstrated exceptional leadership and service within Walker College-affiliated organizations were also recognized—through Exemplary Leadership Awards. Recipients were nominated by faculty advisors for their positive impact on student organizations.
The following honorees represented a wide range of business-oriented student organizations and clubs. Faculty praised students for strengthening organizational engagement, expanding membership, leading complex projects and fostering inclusive, high-impact experiences for fellow students.
- Gabriel Baerreis, Association of Student Entrepreneurs
- Keiran Capuano, Beans2Brew
- Emily Charlip, Executive Impact Club
- Morgan Cole, Institute of Management Accountants Student Chapter
- Alexa Davis, Appalachian Information Technology Professionals
- Asher Fazal, Student Sustainable Business Association
- Lindsey Ford, American Marketing Association
- Ethan Grant, National Association for Business Economics
- Madison Hudgins, Transfer Student Association
- Luke Jury, Appalachian Supply Chain Club
- Ashleigh Larson, Gamma Iota Sigma, Pruett Award for Outstanding RMI Graduate
- Kaelyn Leggett, Beta Alpha Psi
- Grace Lisi Walker Fellows
- Laura McGinn, Women of Walker
- Morgann Owens, Pi Sigma Epsilon
- Avin Patel, Bowden Investment Group
- Ashlyn Schipper, Hospitality & Tourism Management Student Association
- Drew Sipe, Society for Human Resource Management
- Ayla Solomon, International Business Student Association
- Will Sutherland, Collegiate Sales Society
- Luke Wagar, Finance Student Association
Beta Gamma Sigma
37 Beta Gamma Sigma members at App State on April 17, 2026.
A portion of the ceremony celebrated the induction of new members into Beta Gamma Sigma, an international honors society reserved for high-achieving business students at AACSB-accredited institutions. The Walker College of Business has held AACSB accreditation since 1976 and maintains a longstanding affiliation with the society.
Faculty leaders spoke about the organization’s guiding principles: honor, wisdom and earnestness, emphasizing personal integrity, intellectual curiosity and purposeful achievement. Students were formally inducted as lifetime members and presented with their Beta Gamma Sigma keys as symbols of these values.
- Hana Abuisba
- Jaiden Richards Acker
- Jack Adams
- Laura Allison
- Emily Charlip
- Alex Clarke
- Olivia Clifton
- Tucker Compton
- Trina Conard
- Edward Darville
- Aizlinn Shenandoah Douglas
- Nathaniel Ernsberger
- Ella Escobar
- Olivia Nicole Furr
- Paige Gaskins
- Ellert Clark Wright Georgesson
- Kathryn Harpe
- Scarlett Harrington
- Aidan C. Holder
- John H. Howard
- Hana Howard
- Madison Hudgins
- Seamus G. Kennedy
- Macianna Christine Kiefer
- Gabrielle Kreuter
- Mia Lederer
- Hannah Frances Masucci
- Lillian Grace Matthews
- Colin McElroy
- Melat Mebrahtu
- Violet Snow McCaskill Nicholl
- Jamie Denny Nosek
- Sarah Presnell
- Ernesto Sanchez-Medina
- Marcela DeFazio
- Lisa Mauree Scott
- Billie Shilling
- Julie Simon
- Sasha Smith
- Peter T. Stewart
- Gabriella Strachan
- Eleanor Troyer Teague
- Shaun P. Thompson
- Maxim Timperman
- Thomas Tirpak
- Scott Meira Varga
About the Walker College of Business
The Walker College of Business at Appalachian State University delivers transformational educational experiences that prepare and inspire students to be ethical, innovative and engaged business leaders who positively impact their communities, both locally and globally. The college places emphasis on international experiences, sustainable business practices, entrepreneurial programs and real-world applications with industry. Enrolling nearly 5,000 students, including more than 4,500 undergraduates across 11 majors, the Walker College of Business has the highest full-time undergraduate enrollment in the University of North Carolina System. App State’s Walker College is accredited by AACSB International — the premier global accrediting body for business schools.
Grace Lisi, left, received the "Top Student Overall" plaque from Dean Sandra Vannoy. Photo by Sabrina Cheves
Grace Lisi