Smith Senior Wins National Supply Management Scholarship

Anna Kroupnik, a Smith senior, is one of this years recipients of the R. Gene Richter Scholarship. Now in its second year, the R. Gene Richter Scholarship Program is the first national scholarship program of its kind. The program is designed to foster future leaders among high-potential undergraduate students enrolled in accredited procurement or supply management programs at 42 participating schools. Each of the six awards provides $5,000 in tuition assistance from the R. Gene and Nancy D. Richter Foundation.

The scholarship is awarded by The Institute for Supply Management (ISM). This years six scholarship recipients will be honored on May 9, 2005, at an invitation-only dinner reception during ISMs 90th Annual International Supply Management Conference and Educational Exhibit in San Antonio.

Kroupnik set out to pursue an international business major but developed an interest in logistics after taking a logistics fundamentals class with Angelisa Gillyard, assistant professor of logistics, business and public policy. Dr. Gillyards class got me very interested in the logistics field. With subsequent classes, I realized how interesting, progressive and important logistics is, and decided to take it as my second major, says Kroupnik.

Kroupnik considers logistics as a natural fit with her interest in international business. Much of logistics is international, especially with recent increases in globalization and outsourcing. She explains, Logistics becomes even more exciting when it mixes into the international arena.

She credits professors in the LTCSM department as the driving force behind her success. My professors have all played extremely important roles in my pursuit of logistics. It began with Dr. Gillyard and Dr. [Martin] Dresner, who interested and motivated me to go into logistics. Currently, my biggest motivators remain Dr. [Bill] DeWitt and Dr. Gillyard, since they are the advisors of the LTSCM Society in which I am the EVP of Industry Day. They have given me valuable advice and have steered me in great directions within logistics, she says.

Looking into the future, Kroupnik hopes to become one of the pioneering supply chain personnel that improves and progresses the field of logistics. In pursuit of this goal, she has chosen to go work for Delta Airlines as an intern over summer. She believes this opportunity will give her just the sort of experience she needs. After graduating in May 2006, she plans to go directly into a logistics position.

The R. Gene Richter Scholarship Program was established in memory of supply management innovator and leader R. Gene Richter. Richter is admired for elevating the profession to world-class stature and transforming supply, purchasing and sourcing at major companies. He led the supply organizations at The Black & Decker Company, Hewlett-Packard (HP) and International Business Machines (IBM). The scholarship program was established as a way to continue Richter's efforts to promote excellence within the profession. The program provides academic resources and opportunities for recipients to participate in industry activities.

Other winners this year include; Andrea L. Brown, a senior at Western Michigan University's (WMU) Haworth College of Business in Kalamazoo, Michigan; Jeanne Chan, a senior year at Michigan State University (MSU) in East Lansing, Michigan; Tania Santiago Mirabal, a senior year at The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania; Joseph W. Thornton, a senior year at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona; and Alyssa M. Waszczuk, a senior year at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan.

▓ Priscilla Mwangi, MBA Candidate 2006, Smith Media Group