Stillman Scholars Awarded for Excellence in Supply Chain Management

Four talented students from the Stillman School of Business have been honored with scholarships from the Containerization & Intermodal Institute (CII), showcasing their hard work and proficiency in logistics, transportation and supply chain management.

The CII, based in Cranford, New Jersey, is a nonprofit organization devoted to fostering the growth of international trade and the intermodal container transportation community. Each year, CII contacts Penina Orenstein, Ph.D., and Renu Ramnarayanan, Ph.D., (both in the Department of Computing and Decision Sciences) to nominate deserving undergraduate and graduate students for these awards based on GPA, their interest in pursuing careers in or related to the supply chain area, and their involvement in Seton Hall's student chapter for the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM).

CII’s Connie Award has become the most prestigious honor in the global containerization and intermodal industry. Named for the container, the Connies are awarded annually to people, companies, associations, and other entities that have made significant contributions to the transportation modes. The award recipients are honored at gala events whose proceeds benefit academic scholarships awarded to those who are perceived as the next generation of industry leaders, such as this year’s Seton Hall students. 

Annabelle "Annie" Raukete, a senior from Chicago majoring in finance and technology and entrepreneurship, was awarded two scholarships. Ramnarayanan said, "Annie is one of our current ASCM e-board members, a real self-starter with an excellent work ethic and tremendous leadership and communications skills. In addition to her first CII award, Annie earned the $10,000 CII/Anthony Marino Scholarship based on the video she submitted." The award honors the memory of Anthony Marino, former executive vice president of Marine Repair Services and Container Maintenance Corporation (Charleston, SC), by supporting a deserving student with an interest in supply chain management. 

"Winning these scholarships is not only a validation of my efforts but also a source of motivation to continue striving for excellence," said Raukete. "The impact of receiving these scholarships on my educational experience is profound; they have relieved some of the financial burdens associated with pursuing higher education, allowing me to focus more on my studies, extracurricular activities, and personal growth."

"This is a very competitive award and only five students in the country received this scholarship," added Ramnarayanan. "This is a great accomplishment for Annie and a wonderful testament to the quality of students we have at Stillman."

Mark DiPietro, from Erie, Pennsylvania, highlighted the confidence boost the scholarship gave him. "I have worked hard in my collegiate career to diversify my skillset and getting recognition for that is reassuring as I enter the professional world," he remarked. New Jersey-native Hannah Alexander, who is pursuing her M.B.A. in Supply Chain Management, echoed this sentiment. "Receiving this scholarship has reassured me that working in supply chain is something that I can accomplish and that all the work that I have done to this point has paid off. It motivates me to continue working hard toward my career goals," she said.

Madeline Matheny, who is from Hockessin, Delaware, and also pursuing an M.B.A. in Supply Chain Management, expressed her excitement and gratitude. "Being awarded this scholarship is a distinct honor, and I feel privileged to be selected. This recognition signifies a commitment from business leaders to invest in the future of the supply chain industry, instilling hope for potential career opportunities," she said, adding, "The scholarship has reignited my enthusiasm for supply chain, and I am fully dedicated to learning as much as I can before I graduate this May."

Ramnarayanan, commenting on the achievements of all the students, said, “These four exemplify the best of what our students can achieve. Their dedication, leadership skills, and academic excellence make them stand out. It’s a reflection of the quality of education and mentorship we provide at Stillman.” 

This year’s award winners also relayed how the Stillman School has prepared them for their careers. Both Matheny and Alexander highlighted the role of faculty mentorship. "Professor Orenstein encouraged me and fueled my interest in supply chain, and I am very grateful to have had her council," said Matheny. "I am looking forward to learning from Professor Ramnarayanan in my last supply chain class; I am confident I will use her council and knowledge in my future career."

"The professors and faculty in the Stillman School have become mentors for me," said Alexander. "This past semester I was able to work with Professor Ruchin Kansal and Professor Ramnarayanan to get their feedback and guidance on things such as resume writing, internships and, finally, receiving this award."

DiPietro, who is pursuing his B.S. in Accounting and IT Management and a secondary major in Philosophy along with certificates in Supply Chain Management and Business Analytics, emphasized the comprehensive coursework. "Stillman's curriculum has transformed me from a novice to someone confident in their analytical, strategic and professional soft skills. My internships and interactions with peers globally have given me a unique edge," he shared.

Raukete spoke about the importance of real-world exposure. "What sets Stillman apart is its commitment to offering real-world exposure and industry engagement. Internships, guest lectures, and networking events have allowed me to gain valuable insights and practical experience directly aligned with my career goals," she said.

"CII’s dedication to supporting the next generation of professionals is clear through their scholarship program," said Ramnarayanan. "We have had this relationship with them for more than a decade and they continue to be impressed by our students." Previous Seton Hall students who have received this award are Peyton Elder (now at L'Oreal), Marla Georges (now at Ferrero Rocher), Andrew Hustick (now at BlackRock), Jennifer Mazur (now at Wakefern), Adam Facella (now at L'Oreal), Mario Damasceno (now at Brooks International) and Bryant Canas (now at Sherwin Williams). 

She added, "We are grateful that they are providing these opportunities and experiences to our students."

Categories: Business, Education