The award is presented to the most outstanding Elon MBA student in the Class of 2016.
Elon MBA candidate Roger Michael “Mike” Griffin Jr. was presented with the Richard H. Behrman Award on May 19 at a dinner to celebrate the Elon MBA and M.S. in Management Class of 2016.
The award is named after Richard “Dick” Behrman, who was the first director of the Elon MBA program. Elon MBA faculty members choose the winner based on academic excellence, contributions to the classroom environment through active participation, and demonstrated leadership in both program and community activities.
Griffin is the chief operating officer of Asponte Technology in Raleigh, N.C. Prior to this position, he was a U.S. Army officer for approximately 24 years. A master Army Aviator with over 4,000 flight hours (more than 2,000 combat hours) who has held important command and staff positions, Griffin served multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan as a CH-47 D/F pilot, instructor and evaluator. A graduate of the U.S. Army’s airborne school, air assault school and the ranger qualification course, Griffin’s decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal (with 2 oak leaf clusters) and the Army Commendation Medal with “V” device for valor. Griffin retired from the U.S. Army in 2014 and entered the Elon MBA program in 2015.
“We have many excellent students in the MBA program and Mike is one of the very best,” said Bill Burpitt, associate dean of the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business. “Well beyond his outstanding academic performance, he brings a level of maturity and a depth of experience that has enriched all of his classes. The late Dick Behrman was especially concerned that the recipient of this award was a person who exemplified service to the community. I know of no student who has better served the community that Mike. His service to country as an officer in the U.S. Army merits our respect and admiration. I am proud to have Mike in the program.”
The dinner also recognized the students who were initiated into Phi Kappa Phi, Beta Gamma Sigma and Sigma Iota Epsilon this year, as well as Professor Kevin O’Mara, who is leaving Elon after 26 years of teaching and service.
Previous Behrman Award recipients in attendance at the dinner were Derek Robinson G’03, Pieter Swanepoel G’04, Marty Blevins G’11 and Andre Valcour G’14.