College of Western Idaho (CWI) is proud to announce the annual winners of the Pearson Outstanding Business student of the year: Kory Knight, Debora Golling, Clarke Burton, and Jasmine Coonrod. The students are being recognized for their academic achievements and activities in and out of the classroom.
STUDENT BIOS
Kory Knight
Knight is a General Business major at CWI and currently holds a 3.91 GPA. He grew up in rural Meridian before moving to Boise where he graduated from Capital High School. Knight has held various leadership roles in small group settings where he says he enjoys stepping up and providing direction. The ability to take on responsibility when needed proved to be a tremendous asset in his role as a Teaching Assistant in the Business Department. Knight proctored exams, stood in for instructors during VITA sessions, and patiently worked with fellow students to pass along his knowledge.
Debora Golling
Golling has dedicated her career to the field of accounting for the past 30 years working in various fields within the industry. Her skills in accounting have provided opportunities for her to work for a nursing home, as an office manager for a screen printing and embroidery company, as a customer service representative for AT&T, and, most recently, for Powderhaus Brewing as an Administrative Bookkeeper. Golling came to CWI in her 50s after deciding to go back to school and earn a degree to back up her knowledge and experience. Following graduation, she plans to transfer to Northwest Nazarene University to obtain a double bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Business.
Clarke Burton
Burton grew up calling Idaho his home. Idaho cultivated his love for outdoor adventure in its mountainous playground. Burton plans to attend Northwest Nazarene University to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Business Administration. He hopes to be a CPA and create a stable foundation for future business and entrepreneurial endeavors. He currently serves as the Worship and Creative Director for his church, enjoys escaping to the mountains, and loves doing school work.
Jasmine Coonrod
Coonrod decided at 28 she wanted to earn a college degree. As a mother she felt she had a huge responsibility to ensure her son had an opportunity to succeed in life. Throughout her childhood, Coonrod had to reestablish herself every few years in a new school and with new friends. Moving taught her determination to accomplish tasks, to have a genuine interest in those around her, and to not get too attached to places and things. She credits these skills to her academic success during the past two years at CWI as they have helped her learn to work with different companies in Boise. She loves how Boise companies band together to provide community outreach programs for kids and hopes to continue working with these companies for the betterment of the community.
Students were nominated for the award by Business faculty and internship advisors. Applications were reviewed by a faculty committee and winners were selected based on eligibility requirements, grade point average, and other honors, contributions, and achievements. Those selected receive a scholarship, a personalized certificate and medal, and have their name added to an annual plaque.
For more information regarding the CWI Business Student of the Year award, contact Joe Welker at joewelker@cwi.edu.