The Walker College of Business recognized six faculty, staff and students for their contributions to sustainability and global engagement during the Sept. 25 Global Good Conference.
Related: Global Good Conference brings business leaders and students together to explore sustainability
Triple E Awards
Two Triple E Awards recognizing outstanding leadership in advancing sustainability through environmental, social, and economic impact were presented.
Meredith Pipes, director of global engagement, and Dr. Dennis Guignet, associate professor in the Department of Economics, earned Triple E Awards.
Triple E Awardees Meredith Pipes, second from left, and Dr. Dennis Guignet, second from right, with Dr. Scott Gray, left, and Dr. Jim Westerman, right. Photo by Mandy Southern
The "E" stands for Economy, Environment and Equity. The awards were previously called titled Green E Awards. View a complete list of previous Triple E awardees at business.appstate.edu/about/events/business-good.
Global Good Awards
Jesse Pipes, senior lecturer in the Department of Management, received the Inspiring International Leaders Award, which recognizes faculty and staff who inspire students to pursue meaningful international experiences and develop a global mindset. Jesse Pipes was recognized for his outstanding work as the director of the Holland Fellowship for Business Study in Asia, the college’s flagship faculty-led program that provides students with international consulting experience and professional mentorship.
From left are Meredith Pipes, Inspiring International Leaders Awardee Jesse Pipes, and Scott Gray. Photo by Mandy Southern
Jon Bleakley, practitioner-in-residence in the Department of Management, who received the Outstanding Faculty-led Program Leader Award, which honors excellence in leading transformative international programs through innovative course design, global partnerships and student mentorship. Jon developed the Adventure Leadership Academy, a faculty‑led program and student organization that challenges participants to build confidence and resilience through experiential leadership in the Scottish Highlands and other outdoor settings.
From left are Meredith Pipes, Outstanding Faculty-led Program Leader Awardee Jon Bleakley, and Scott Gray. Photo by Mandy Southern
Shirley Morris, a senior majoring in Risk Management and Insurance, received the Faculty-led Most Valuable Participant Award for demonstrating exceptional leadership, intercultural engagement, maturity and global perspective during an international experience. Shirley participated in the Brantley Risk Management and Insurance faculty-led program to Bermuda.
From left are Shirley Morris and Meredith Pipes. Photo by Sabrina Cheves
Ayla Solomon, a senior majoring in International Business, received the Global Citizen Award for building meaningful connections with the international community through global engagement on campus and abroad. Ayla studied abroad for a full semester in Shanghai, China and serves as the president of the International Business Student Association.
From left are Meredith Pipes, Global Citizen Awardee Ayla Solomon, and Scott Gray. Photo by Mandy Southern
#WalkerAbroad Photo Competition
Winners of the annual #WalkerAbroad Photo Competition were also celebrated during the event.
Marketing Junior Matthew Hare earned both first place and the People's Choice Award for his photo from Gold Coast, Australia.
Photo by Matthew Hare
Tayden Sikorsk earned second place for her photo from Istanbul, Turkey.
Photo by Tayden Sikorsk
MBA Student Clarice Cook was honored for her photo from Glenfinnan, Scotland.
Photo by Clarice Cook
from left are Jon Bleakley, Dennis Guignet, Jesse Pipes, Meredith Pipes, Shirley Morris and Ayla Solomon, who were all recognized as Global Good awardees in 2026
Collage of Global Good awardees