The Toast celebrates Lindner’s Business Fellows

Dean Marianne Lewis, PhD, opened the event, welcoming students and their family members, Lindner faculty and staff, and members of the community.

“Our Business Fellows quite literally lead this university — not just Lindner,” Lewis said of the students’ on-campus involvement and commitment to leadership. “And you know it and I know it, because I see you everywhere.”

Lewis then introduced the night’s emcee, Raven Richard, a reporter with WCPO 9 News. Richard acknowledged the past and current Business Fellows’ Executive Board and the event’s sponsors — PNC, Western & Southern Financial Group, Truepoint Wealth Counsel and EY — before moving to present the night’s awards.

The PACE Honors recognize individuals who exemplify the principles woven into the content of every course at Lindner: Professionalism, Academics, Character and Engagement (PACE). The following students were acknowledged in this category:

• Professionalism: Paola Alcantara, BBA ’23
• Academics: Sophie Bordron, BBA ’26
• Character: Quincy Allfree, BBA ’23
• Engagement: Tahta Fofana, BBA ’25

Following the presentation of the PACE Honors, the ceremony moved to recognize outstanding first-, second-, third- and fourth-year students in their commitment to Business Fellows and dedication to their personal and professional development. The following students were recognized in this category:

• First Year: Bitanya Derese, BBA ’26
• Second Year: Keiana Slaughter, BBA ’25
• Third Year: Noura Ata, BBA ’24
• Fourth Year: Price Kalala, BBA ’24

The next award presented was the Fellows Impacting Fellows award. This award celebrated Julian Hill, BBA ’24, for his support of his peers through mentorship and relationship building. Finally, the recognition portion of the evening ended with the presentation of the Ally of the Year to Chanda Monroe-Williams, executive director of Lindner’s Urban Impact Studio.  

After the awards presentation, guests were welcomed to enjoy dinner before the keynote speaker, Marcus Thompson, director of corporate development at TriVersity construction, took the stage. Thompson focused on the impact of his father’s death on his trajectory through life and how those who were willing to take a chance on him at his lowest points helped to turn him into the man he is today.

Expanding on the recurring theme of the night, Thompson emphasized community as he encouraged graduating Fellows to find their core support team.

“Treat yourself like a business. Create a board of directors,” advised Thompson. “You need those type of people to be able to confide in, to be able to talk to, to be able to ask questions of and to get that perspective so that you can continue to grow.”

After Thompson’s remarks, Richard took the stage once again to honor graduating students. Each student received a commemorative plate to hang in their home or new offices and a stole to wear at graduation.

Graduating senior Azaria Blair gave the toast and closing remarks. Blair raised her glass to her fellow graduating Business Fellows and honored the close bonds they formed.