## Level Up Your Business Acumen: Meet the 2025 Leavey School of Business Award Winners
Gamestanza is all about pushing boundaries, achieving mastery, and unlocking hidden potential. And sometimes, those journeys take us beyond the virtual world and into the real-life arena of business excellence. That’s why we’re thrilled to spotlight the extraordinary achievements of the 2025 Leavey School of Business Award Winners at Santa Clara University.
Celebrating Excellence: 2025 Leavey School of Business Award Winners – Santa Clara University
As the Class of 2025 prepares to graduate, the Leavey School of Business is proud to honor five outstanding students who embody the values of leadership, service, and academic excellence. These annual awards are among the highest honors given to business undergraduates at Santa Clara University, recognizing not just achievement, but also impact, character, and purpose.
Meet this year’s award recipients — and discover how they’ve shaped our community. The Leavey School of Business Leadership Award is awarded to the graduating student who best demonstrates leadership in both curricular and co-curricular endeavors. These students motivate and inspire peers, make long-lasting contributions to the community, and embody the spirit of Santa Clara’s mission.
Deborah Lohse’s Commencement Address
Santa Clara University’s 2015 commencement address by President Michael Engh, S.J., highlighted the importance of Jesuit, Catholic values in shaping the university’s mission. Engh emphasized the need for graduates to “do something great in the world” by serving and respecting those most in need, preserving the planet, and acting ethically.
Engh’s speech underscored the significance of community and the impact that individuals can have on society. He encouraged graduates to take the values of the university with them as they depart, highlighting the importance of living out these values in their future endeavors.
The Value of Leadership
Leadership is a critical aspect of the Leavey School of Business’s mission. The award recipients embody the values of leadership, service, and academic excellence, and their impact on the Leavey community has been undeniable.
Let’s take a closer look at the leadership in action exhibited by the award recipients.
Leadership in Action
Walker Schindler, a Finance major from Frankfort, MI, has demonstrated leadership through their involvement in various academic and co-curricular communities. They served as a member of Queer & Qualified, a student organization dedicated to LGBTQ+ community-building, and Delta Sigma Pi, a professional business fraternity.
Walker’s leadership has consistently centered on building inclusive spaces and amplifying underrepresented voices. In Queer & Qualified, they helped foster dialogue and connection among LGBTQ+ business students. In Delta Sigma Pi, they contributed to more inclusive recruitment practices and peer mentorship within the chapter.
The Power of Mentorship
Mentorship plays a critical role in leadership development, and the award recipients have prioritized giving back to their peers. Will Horak, a Finance and Management Information Systems major from Park Ridge, IL, has made mentorship a central aspect of his leadership approach.
As president of the Finance Association, Will focused on building a more connected and career-ready student organization. He emphasized the importance of involving every member in decision-making processes, regardless of their position or role.
A Lasting Legacy
The award recipients’ leadership has had a lasting impact on the Leavey community. Their contributions have inspired future generations and will continue to shape the university’s mission.
Walker’s leadership has paved the way for future LGBTQ+ students to feel seen and heard. Will’s mentorship has empowered younger students to take on leadership roles and make a positive impact on the community.
A Community of Excellence
The Leavey School of Business is proud to be part of a diverse and inclusive community. The Class of 2025 represents 22 states and more than 25 countries, provinces, and territories.
Let’s take a look at the diversity statistics for the graduating class:
- Engineering:
- Asian: 72%
- White: 12%
- Other/Unknown: 6%
- Hispanic: 6%
- Business:
- Asian: 56%
- White: 23%
- Other/Unknown: 13%
- Hispanic: 4%
- Black: 2%
- Education and Counseling Psychology:
- White: 43%
- Hispanic: 21%
- Other/Unknown: 18%
- Asian: 12%
- Black: 2%
- Arts and Sciences — Pastoral Ministries:
- White: 33%
- Other/Unknown: 33%
- Asian: 22%
- Hispanic: 11%
The Leavey School of Business
The Leavey School of Business is a comprehensive Jesuit, Catholic institution that offers rigorous undergraduate curricula in arts and sciences, business, and engineering.
The school’s mission is guided by the values of service, respect, and ethics. The award recipients embody these values and have made a lasting impact on the Leavey community.
Santa Clara University: A Leader in Education
Santa Clara University is a comprehensive Jesuit, Catholic university located in California’s Silicon Valley. The university offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs, including business, education, counseling psychology, pastoral ministry, and theology.
The university is distinguished nationally by one of the highest graduation rates among all U.S. master’s universities. Santa Clara University demonstrates faith-inspired values of ethics and social justice, and its graduates are equipped to make a positive impact in their communities.
Conclusion
As we conclude our look at the 2025 Leavey School of Business Award Winners, one thing is clear: Santa Clara University is cultivating a new generation of business leaders who are not only successful but also deeply committed to making a positive impact. From groundbreaking research to innovative entrepreneurship, these honorees embody the spirit of Leavey’s mission – to develop ethical and responsible business leaders who are ready to tackle the complex challenges of the 21st century. The achievements celebrated today are not just milestones; they are stepping stones towards a brighter future. These awardees are shaping the landscape of business, pushing boundaries, and inspiring others to think differently. Their dedication to social responsibility, coupled with their exceptional skills and talents, offers a glimpse into the transformative power of education and the potential for business to be a force for good. As these individuals embark on their journeys, let their stories serve as a reminder that excellence in business is not solely defined by profits, but by the positive change we create for ourselves, our communities, and the world around us.
