College Of Business Impact Scholar 2020-21
The Impact Scholarship, organized by Michigan Tech’s Admissions Office, Financial Aid Office, and College of Business, is an annual competitive award recognizing business majors and leaders at MTU. This year, 25 high school senior finalists from four states participated in leadership activities on campus and received renewable awards ranging from $1,000 to full in-state tuition.
Ava Stoneberg, daughter of Lisa and David, completed her pre-college education at Port Huron Northern
High School. Her accomplishments include serving as class president and leading her
robotics team to the FIRST Robotics World Championship competition. Stoneberg was
also active in the National Honor Society, Diversity Club, Ski Club, Renaissance Club,
and Student Council. In addition to her studies in engineering management, Stoneberg
plans to study abroad and participate in an internship during her time at Michigan
Tech.
“I am so grateful for this opportunity to affordably achieve an education in such
a highly regarded business program,” Stoneberg said. “The majors offered are unique
because of the blend of business and STEM. I know I wouldn’t get an education like
this anywhere else.”
She credits the friendly feel of Michigan Tech’s campus as the driving factor in her
college decision. “My mom’s friend encouraged me to look at Michigan Tech’s business
school. When I visited, I instantly felt at home.”
“Office staff were immediately impressed with Ava’s poised and professional presence.
We feel confident she will be an excellent ambassador for the Michigan Tech College
of Business as she continues to develop her leadership and business skills as a student,”
said Allison Carter, a director of admissions at Michigan Tech.
In her free time, Stoneberg enjoys painting, hanging out with friends, and spending time in nature.
Meet A Few Of Our Other Crazy Smart Impact Scholars
Ambarish Rao
Management Information Systems
Hometown: Irvine, California
High School: University High School
Career goal: Start my own medical device company or medical practice.
My favorite brand is... Google because the company started in a garage and is now worth more than $632 billion!
My business role model is... Jay-Z because he is an amazing human and business leader who constantly helps fellow performers while changing social justice and economic systems.
I’m most looking forward to being a Husky because… of the top-notch education and the opportunities that come with it. I’m also looking forward to joining an Enterprise and gaining real-life experiences.
Andrew Maiers
Engineering Management
Hometown: Fort Gratiot, Michigan
High School: Port Huron Northern High School
Career goal: Become a manager of an engineering team or an engineering firm.
My favorite brand is... Apple because they always release good products that work well together and appeal to customers.
My business role model is... Mark Cuban because he is smart, successful, and has a good time while working.
I’m most looking forward to being a Husky because… I will get to make so many new, close friends
Ben Jones
Engineering Management
Hometown: Howell, Michigan
High school: Howell High School
Career goal: Work in space exploration.
My favorite brand is... SpaceX. As of writing this, they have successfully launched two astronauts to the
International Space Station!
My business role model is… Gaston Glock.
I’m most looking forward to being a Husky because… of the superior education and location. I love skiing, swimming, and being outside!
Sarah Gilbreath
Management Information Systems
Hometown: Chelsea, Michigan
High School: Chelsea High School
Career Goal: Work for the FBI.
My favorite brand is... Pela, because they care about the environment and all of their phone cases are 100
percent biodegradable.
My business role model is... Lee Iacocca because he was always able to step into struggling companies and help them become profitable.
I’m most looking forward to being a Husky because… of the close-knit community and the opportunities Tech offers.
Kevin Hoefer
Management Information Systems
Hometown: Midland, Michigan
High school: Midland High School
Career goal: Be a major contributor in the sports industry.
My favorite brand is... the NBA because I really enjoy their product and they have done a phenomenal job expanding their influence through social media and reaching young fans to grow the game.
My business role model is... Bill Gates because he revolutionized the workplace. Additionally, he has used his wealth for philanthropy, and has become a leader on key issues facing our world today.
I’m most looking forward to being a Husky because… there’s so much to do on campus and there is a strong sense of community.
Jaden Dietz
Construction Management
Hometown: Dansville, Michigan
High school: Dansville High School
Career goal: Oversee my own construction company.
My favorite brand is... Patagonia because they sell outdoor products and gear that I can use in the activities I am involved in.
My business role model is... Larry Page. Not only is he from Michigan, but he used the limited resources and opportunities he had to create the most used and wellknown search engine in the world—Google. I look up to the successes and ideas he created for himself.
I’m most looking forward to being a Husky because… I will have the resources and relationships available to learn and grow in the direction of success.
Owen Watson
Engineering Management
Hometown: Otsego, Michigan
High School: Otsego High School
Career goal: Serve as the project manager of
a large-scale engineering firm.
My favorite brand is... Patagonia because they sell outdoor products and gear that I
can use in the activities I am involved in.
My business role model is... Larry Page. Not only is he from Michigan, but he used
the limited resources and opportunities he had to create the most used and wellknown
search engine in the world—Google. I look up to the successes and ideas he
created for himself.
I’m most looking forward to being a Husky because… I will have the resources and
relationships available to learn and grow in the direction of success.
Lucas Kendall
Engineering Management
Hometown: Cadillac, Michigan
High School: Cadillac High School
Career goal: Reduce fast-food packaging waste as a packaging engineer.
My favorite brand is... Amazon because I bought stock in the company and it did really well.
My business role model is... is Shaquille O’Neal because he invests in and represents a lot of different companies, and he takes the time to do research to make sure he truly believes in them.
I’m most looking forward to being a Husky because… of the great education and having the opportunity to be able to participate in lots of awesome extracurricular activities.
Kieran Rowan
Engineering Management
Hometown: Savage, Minnesota
High School: Prior Lake High School
Career goal: : Contribute to preventing global warming, and support the future of humanity.
My favorite brand is... Samsung. I have always really liked their phones, as well as their TVs and hard drives.
My business role model is... Dean Kamen. After working hard on helping invent the segway and iBOT wheelchair, he went on to establish FIRST, a nonprofit organization that helps kids become more involved in business and engineering.
I’m most looking forward to being a Husky because… the campus and the environment all feel like home, plus I know that Michigan Tech will be great for learning the engineering aspect of my major.
Maggie Zimmermann
Marketing
Hometown: Brighton, Michigan
High School: Hartland High School
Career goal: Start my own business in the insurance or medical sales field.
My favorite brand is... On, because they build amazing running equipment/shoes.
My business role model is... my dad because he started his own company in the auto business.
I’m most looking forward to being a Husky because… the location is stunning and there’s so much to do.
Chelsea Rheault
Accounting
Hometown: Lake Linden, Michigan
High School: Lake Linden Hubbell High School
Career goal: Become a CPA
My favorite brand is... Google, as it has flawlessly integrated its way into everyday life—it is almost impossible
to imagine a world without Google!
My business role model is... Jeff Bezos, as his innovative efforts changed e-commerce into a shopping website that contains virtually anything you can think of.
I’m most looking forward to being a Husky because…I am excited to surround myself with others who are on a similar career path as me; I am also looking forward to all of the opportunities and friendships that I will soon make.
Nick Stankovich
General Business/Finance
Hometown: Milford, Michigan
High School: International Academy West
Career goal: Find my passion.
My favorite brand is... Ten Tree because they make high-quality, fashionable clothing while also promoting
environmental values.
I’m most looking forward to being a Husky because…of the great education and outdoor activities.
Hanna Hiltunen
Accounting
Hometown: Appleton, Wisconsin
High School: Appleton North High School
Career goal: Land a position in the forensics accounting world.
My favorite brand is... Disney because they are always at the top and competing brands/companies are always
chasing them. They also have something entertaining for everyone.
My business role model is... Bob Iger (former Disney CEO).
I’m most looking forward to being a Husky because…I love the campus, the location, and the new people I will meet.
Davis Nunnally
Accounting
Hometown: Nashotah, Wisconsin
High School: Arrowhead High School
Career goal: Start my own business
My favorite brand is... Polaris because I love the outdoors and I like to snowmobile. They are the global
leader in powersports.
My business role model is... my dad because he owns and runs his own business, Lake Country Portering, LLC.
I’m most looking forward to being a Husky because…I enjoy playing hockey and snowmobiling. I’m looking forward to the great opportunities on campus and exploring all that Michigan Tech and Houghton offer.
Ethan Kennedy
Management Information Systems
Hometown: Plymouth, Michigan
High School: Salem High School
Career goal: Become a data scientist.
My favorite brand is... Dr. Squatch, a soap brand that mainly advertises through YouTube in a very creative
and convincing way. When companies stop taking their advertising so seriously, people
don’t mind waiting through a two-minute ad.
My business role model is... Elon Musk because of how many boundaries he pushes while always following his moral compass. Even when he messes up, he always manages to get back up and go even further.
I’m most looking forward to being a Husky because…of free mountain biking and snowboarding, the small-town feel of Houghton, and the positive environment at MTU.
Evan Valdés-Cornell
Marketing
Hometown: Port Huron, Michigan
High School: Port Huron Northern High School
Career goal: Own several businesses ranging from clothing to real estate.
My favorite brand is... Versace because of the history behind it. It began as a childhood dream of Gianni
Versace who, through his unswerving determination, grew the brand from a booth in
Milan to a global fashion house.
My business role model is... my great-great-great grandfather, Rafael Alvarez, who pioneered the industrialization of coffee in El Salvador. He was a very dedicated man who never stopped working to grow his business and take care of his family.
I’m most looking forward to being a Husky because…I’m excited to get a diverse, technology-based business education, as well as meet new people and expand my network.
Blaine Wheaton
Engineering Management
Hometown: Eaton Rapids, Michigan
High School: Eaton Rapids High School
My favorite brand is... Wizards of the Coasts. There’s always a sense of fun in what they produce.
My business role model is... Rae Darefsky, head marketer for the Choral Booster program. She single-handedly revitalized the program, creating new sources of income and optimizing sales of merchandise all while battling cancer.
I’m most looking forward to being a Husky because… of the reputation for excellence in all my fields of interest.
Henry Basala
Engineering Management
Hometown: Plover, Wisconsin
High School: Pacelli Catholic High School
Career goal: Start my own engineering firm.
My favorite brand is... Tesla. Elon Musk is a genius and he makes the company very future-orientated.
My business role model is... Elon Musk. The things he is doing with SpaceX and Tesla are out of this world (no pun intended). He is revolutionizing many different industries
I’m most looking forward to being a Husky because… Michigan Tech will offer me so many opportunities—from joining clubs to playing recreational sports
Jordyn Robinson
Accounting
Hometown: Negaunee, Michigan
High School: Negaunee High School
Career goal: Become a CPA
I’m most looking forward to being a Husky because… I am excited to have the college experience at Michigan Tech and meet new people.
Mitchell Farnham
Accounting
Hometown: Bloomington, Minnesota
High School: Academy of Holy Angels
Career goal: Become a CPA for a company.
I’m most looking forward to being a Husky because…Michigan Tech has a really great atmosphere and I can’t wait for Winter Carnival.
Brennan Burns
Engineering Management
Hometown: Traverse City, Michigan
High School: Traverse City West Senior High
I’m most looking forward to being a Husky because…I know it is a highly rated school where I will be able to learn new things and meet new people.
Michigan Technological University is a public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton, Michigan, and is home to nearly 7,500 students from more than 60 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigan’s flagship technological university offers more than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science and technology, engineering, computing, forestry, business, health professions, humanities, mathematics, social sciences, and the arts. The rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, offering year-round opportunities for outdoor adventure.
