By Ruthie Gergeni
Division of Communications and Marketing
MANHATTAN — Two Kansas State University students will receive special recognition at the College of Business Administration's fall 2024 commencement ceremony and Senior Sendoff event.
The college's Outstanding Senior Award will be presented to Reese Kuzniakowski, bachelor's candidate in finance, Lee's Summit, Missouri, and the Resilient Senior Award will be presented to Marissa Cruz, bachelor's candidate in management, Junction City. Kuzniakowski is being recognized for outstanding academic performance and career development. In addition to being a top-performing finance major, his extensive work experience includes internships with leading financial institutions. He most recently served as an investment banking summer analyst at Goldman Sachs. Kuzniakowski also gained experience through roles including financial planning associate for StoryOne Family Office, private bank summer analyst at J.P. Morgan Chase and venture capital analyst intern with the University Venture Funds Crossroads. Kuzniakowski graduated from Lee's Summit West High School, and he's the son of Craig and Shauna Kuzniakowski.
The Resilient Senior Award recognizes a business student who displayed resilience in the face of challenges. As the award winner, Cruz will have the honor of speaking at the senior breakfast before the commencement ceremonies. Cruz has been involved with the Rise Up Scholars Program, a leadership and career success program designed for goal-oriented and inclusion-driven future leaders, since she transferred to K-State in 2022. She praised the program's support for diversity and said that having the resources to be successful in the business world has been amazing. Cruz has also interned with K-State Human Resources for almost two years. The daughter of Rodney C. Vicente and Carol A. Garcia, Cruz is a graduate of Junction City High School."periences and who can encourage others in their career paths." Cruz is currently job-seeking and hopes to travel the world to gain work experience and broaden her perspective. Her future plans include returning to K-State for a master's degree.
