Davis College of Business announces Top 25 students for 2021-2022

Jacksonville University’s Davis College of Business announced their 2021-2022 Top 25 students, an elite group of promising young scholars at the undergraduate and graduate level who were selected by Davis College leadership, faculty, and staff. 

The Davis College of Business Top 25 consists of mentors, student-athletes, veterans, internationals, leaders and outstanding academic performers. Many hold leadership positions within campus organizations; they volunteer in the community; and some have completed internships across the world.

“We are very proud of this year’s Davis College Top 25 students. The Davis College Top 25 students exhibit outstanding academic performance, leadership, character, and an unstoppable drive to succeed,” said Dr. Barbara Ritter, dean of the Davis College of Business. “These students will represent the Davis College and Jacksonville University well as they graduate and move forward with their careers. Congratulations to all.”

The students have aspirations of earning doctorate degrees, working for internationally acclaimed companies, starting their own businesses and pursuing the passions they’ve realized through their courses at Jacksonville University. 

“I feel beyond honored to be a part of this select group of diverse leaders,” said Shawn Town, an MBA student and U.S. Navy veteran who is one of this year’s Top 25. “After conquering the extraordinary challenges of the last couple of years, I believe we’re ready to excel at the next level.”

Town received his bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering from Thomas Edison State College while serving as an air traffic controller in the U.S. Navy. He’s vice president of the Student Veterans of America group on campus and a member of several honor societies on campus. He hopes to land in a role related to corporate finance, accounting, or investor relations following graduation. 

Christian Cornella-Carlson, a junior majoring in Sport Business, Finance, and Marketing, was also grateful to be recognized: “Being named to the Davis College Top 25 is a huge honor,” Cornella-Carlson said. “It means so much to have my hard work in and outside of the classroom be recognized with this achievement.”

Cornella-Carlson’s long list of extracurriculars and accomplishments include being a Zimmerman Scholar, a member of several honor societies, and a member of the Dean’s Fellow Program. He’s currently a basketball operations intern with the JU Men’s Basketball team and has dreams of becoming a Division I athletic director or having a leadership role in a professional sports organization.

Top 25 students were treated to a professional photoshoot and personal branding session led by JU’s career management team and were formally recognized in a ceremony earlier this semester. 

Read more about the 25 students here.