Perry receives business award
Awards were presented to several people, including L. Tom Perry, one of the Twelve Apostles in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as well as business students and faculty at the annual Fall Awards Banquet for the College of Business on Thursday evening.
Dean of the College of Business, Douglas D. Anderson, began the evening by giving a welcome address and presenting Perry with the Distinguished Executive Alumnus Award, the highest award given by the college.
“Our recognition tonight of L. Tom Perry continues our tradition of honoring alumni who have shown great integrity, set a good example, demonstrated powerful leadership and given valuable service to their community,” Anderson said. “In honoring him, we declare our own firm intention to emulate the example he has set.”
After accepting the award, Perry spoke briefly and reminisced about his experiences at USU. “I’m proud of the degree I received at USU. It’s here that I learned business ethics and business values.”
Perry continued by saying, “This recognition tonight is greatly appreciated. Its value, however, is only in generating enthusiasm and support for the continued growth and development of this special business school here at Utah State University. I hope we have pride in this school and what it is accomplishing. How the world needs those who have the integrity, the enthusiasm and the desire to increase and accomplish the things that this world so desperately needs.”
Perry said he’s seen the impact the College of Business has had in the world. “The school of business, over the years, has sent hundreds and thousands out into the business world,” he said. “In traveling throughout the world in recent years, I have found many Utah State graduates in prominent positions, always noted for their business techniques and integrity.”
Perry believes in being a person of integrity and encouraging others to do the same. “He has consistently emphasized the importance of integrity in the workplace, home and in community service,” Anderson said. “We know that in virtually every business life, what a person really stands for will be tested.”
Anderson said that in Perry’s book, “Enthusiasm Makes the Difference,” Perry wrote, “I learned early in my business career that dishonesty is like a disease. Once a person lost their honesty, they had to hit bottom and suffer severe consequences before there was any hope for a permanent cure.”
Anderson quoted an LDS Church publication in which Perry wrote, “I tried to teach my grandchildren that choosing a major in college is not as important as developing integrity, ethics and good study habits, as well as building character as a person of faith, confidence and industry.”
Following Perry’s remarks, many others were recognized at the event, including 14 professors for their dedication, expertise and innovation, as well as 300 scholarship award recipients – which is about 15 percent of total students in the college, Anderson said.
“To me, receiving this scholarship means freedom from financial burden and the opportunity to improve my life and the life of my future family,” said Tyson Beck, the Clark and Jennifer Whitworth Scholarship recipient, during his own remarks at the banquet. “I’m glad I had the opportunity to attend the banquet,” said sophomore Camille Moon, a College of Business Ambassador and scholarship recipient. “I was able to meet alumni, donors and members of the college’s advancement board. I was impressed with how helpful they were and they also gave some great business advice for the future. Hearing about their experiences showed me that getting a degree really does pay off.”
According to the college’s Web site, USU’s College of Business is one of the oldest in the country, giving its first degrees in 1894. Their motto: “Opportunities Multiply as they are Seized,” comes from the Chinese philosopher, Sun Tzu, Art of War. The College of Business has approximately 2,000 students and 84 faculty members. There are 11 undergraduate majors, 10 graduate programs and two doctorate programs within the college and 13 professional student organizations.
-heidifk@cc.usu.edu