• Recognizes individuals or teams who have helped advance Fuqua by investing their time and energy on a specific project
• Recipients are honored for their willingness to work out unique solutions that create positive outcomes and for taking the initiative to benefit the Fuqua community with their time, energy, and talents

2024 Winner:

Ken Manning '85, MBA '90

In recognition of Ken’s investments of time and philanthropic support of the Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) ecosystem at Duke, including the creation of a unique business school case study that uses experiential learning, as well as his support of Fuqua student career success by sharing opportunities that arise at his firm.

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• Recognizes individuals who demonstrate a dedication to the school through their time, energy, talents, or financial support
• Recipients have given their time to connecting their classmates, alumni programming, board service, student engagement, engaging their employers to the benefit of Fuqua, and/or providing service to fellow alumni, current students, and faculty

2024 Winner:

Derrick Yifang Xiong MMS '13

In recognition of Derrick’s support of the school by helping to enhance Duke and Fuqua’s brand in China, his wise counsel on Fuqua’s East Asia Regional Advisory Board, serving as speaker to share his entrepreneurial experience and insights, and his philanthropic support of the school.

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• Recognizes alumni whose exemplary professional accomplishments are matched by the significant positive social or environmental change they have created
• Recipients use their Fuqua training to make a difference both inside and outside of their employment setting

2024 Winner:

Lance Brown MBA '16

In recognition of Lance’s contributions to the community and unwavering commitment to positive social change, including nationwide donations of personal protective equipment to health care facilities, schools, and organizations; fostering engagement and support of the underserved children and adults in his community, sponsoring local youth sports, and serving on the Boards of Directors for three organizations that support the community.

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This award was established in 2006 in honor of Owen May MBA '83 and Derek Penn '79, MBA '84 for their longstanding commitment, leadership, and exemplary service to The Fuqua School of Business. The May-Penn Award of Excellence is the highest honor Black and Latino alumni can bestow upon a peer.

This award will honor the alumnus/alumna who actively participates in annual events, is accessible to students, and is connected to the broader community through his/her interaction with the faculty and administration. The recipient of this award should be recognized as a leader within the Fuqua community as well as in his or her profession. The individual recognized with the May-Penn Award of Excellence is an inspiration to those around him/her and a role model to those coming after him/her.

2023 Winner:

Michele Payne MBA '87

Learn more about michele and see past winners