Each year, The School of Business proudly recognizes a select group of undergraduate students who have distinguished themselves throughout their academic journey. Nominated by faculty, staff, and Academic Directors, these students have demonstrated exceptional dedication both inside and outside the classroom. From academic excellence and professional growth to leadership and community engagement, their achievements reflect the values and spirit of Portland State. As they prepare to graduate, these honorees exemplify what it means to be bold in their ambitions, driven in their pursuits, and unstoppable in their impact.
Duane Hastings - Accounting
Can you tell us about yourself?
I was born and raised here in Portland. I initially transferred to PSU from PCC due to convenience, as a working father with two kids, PSU offered the courses I needed with delivery methods that fit into my schedule. The accounting department team did more for my career options in that first week after transferring than anything else I have ever done, mainly due to all the work Madelyn Parsons puts into the career events. Outside of spending times with my kids and school and work, I am a triathlete, and I love to ride my bike, swim, and run.
Why did you choose to study business?
I chose business, specifically accounting, because it is the language of business and provides the opportunity to work in any industry or company. Everyone has accountants.
What’s something you learned during your time at Portland State that has prepared you for your future?
There was a lot of technical knowledge and skills, but I think the most important thing I learned was the value of networking and how important it is to show up and get to know people.
What advice would you give to future students pursuing a business degree?
My advice for people would be to show up, show up to office hours, show up to the networking events, show up to career fairs, get to meet professionals that are doing what you want to do and talk to them about their lives. As a student, people love to talk to you and tell you about what they do, which can open many doors, but you have to show up.
Cory Galego - Global Supply Chain Management
Can you tell us about yourself?
I’m originally from the Beaverton, Oregon area. After serving in the Military, I returned home to pursue my education and build a new chapter that is more suited for family life. I chose Portland State University because of its proximity to where I wanted to put down roots, and it having the degree program I wanted to pursue. A fun fact about me: I love to play beach volleyball when I can find the time, but if I am being honest I simply love being active with others.
Why did you choose to study business?
I was drawn to business, and specifically supply chain management, because I enjoy solving complex problems, working with diverse teams, and making systems more efficient. My past experience has shown me how crucial supply chains are to success, and how fulfilling it is to be part of that process.
What’s something you learned during your time at Portland State that has prepared you for your future?
At Portland State, I learned that genuine achievement isn’t always recognized immediately, often, acknowledgment only arrives once milestones are met and actions align with external strategic interests. While it can be challenging to put in the effort without upfront validation, this experience has been incredibly humbling and has taught me to fortify my internal motivation. Leading SLMA, collaborating on group projects, and connecting with faculty taught me that the true value of our work isn’t measured by early praise but by the impact of our perseverance and dedication over long periods of time with extreme consistency. I learned to celebrate small victories and maintain a resilient drive for personal growth. These lessons remind me that success is a journey defined by our internal standards and purpose, and that the strength of our relationships and commitment to shared goals are the real markers of progress.
What advice would you give to future students pursuing a business degree?
Embrace discomfort because growth does not happen in ease. Do not wait for opportunities to find you. Seek them with purpose. Join student organizations, participate in class, speak with your professors, and show up to events even when you're tired or uncertain. At Portland State, nothing is handed out. It’s earned through quiet effort and unseen persistence. The moments that test you, when no one is clapping or keeping score, are the ones that define you. That is where your character is built, not just your resume. Your future will be shaped by the standard you hold yourself to when the spotlight is off. "The way you do anything is the way you do everything"
Nicole Etzel - Marketing
Can you tell us about yourself?
A little bit about myself, I was born and raised in Portland, Oregon, I am Nicaraguan on my mother's side, and I am a first-generation college student. I have large aspirations, and I chose to go to PSU because I could get a college degree at an affordable price, stay close to home, and help my family when I could. It also provided me with the freedom to explore Oregon and go on adventures to help figure out what I want to do with my life, but also challenge myself to be comfortable with my independence and be okay with being by myself. Some fun facts about me are that I love nature, it’s my favorite place to be, where I can write, explore, and indulge in my photography. I love being in the mountains or by the beach when no one else is around, and I can just bask in the beauty of my surroundings. I have a passion for reading, scrapbooking, and one of my all-time favorite things in the world is music. I love creating soundtracks for life and discovering new artists, and while my favorite song changes daily, I have a soft spot for Reflecting Light by Sam Phillips.
Why did you choose to study business?
Before I even started to apply for colleges, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I had my artistic passions, but I never thought I could make any money from them, and I didn't want to because I believed it would take the joy out of creating. So, for the most part, I wasn't sure what or who I wanted to become until these students came into my AVID class and told me about our marketing program at the high school. It intrigued me, and I also needed an extra class at the time, so around the start of my senior year of high school, I decided to take a marketing class. And for the life of me, I don't know what it was specifically, but I fell in love with marketing and business. I understood it, I liked the mind map of opportunities it presented me, and how it showed me how intricate people can be. I was able to blend my knowledge of statistics and algorithms with my passion for design and creating identities. I found a place, a career that I believed could blend all the parts of me together and would allow me to grow my passion, and I truly feel that I made the right choice because of all the wonderful opportunities and people I’ve been able to meet in my short time at PSU. Without going into business or taking that one class, I wouldn't have been able to find my confidence, build my voice, or become a founding member and the marketing director of the Marketing Collective at PSU, or have been able to win the Marketing Student of the Year award this year. I owe everything to that one class, that one decision that allowed me to find my place in a time when I had no idea what to do with my life.
What’s something you learned during your time at Portland State that has prepared you for your future?
Something that I’ve learned here that has prepared me for the future is, if there is something you are passionate about, that you know that you can do, and you believe in it, take the risk and jump. By nature, I don't inherently believe that I am a risk taker. I have oftentimes dealt with underestimating myself or battling with the fear of failure or not measuring up to what people believe that I can do. It made me feel awful to be completely honest with myself, so one day I decided I wasn't going to hold myself back anymore. I was terrified every day I forced myself to advocate for myself, I forced myself to be the leader of any group I participated in, I showed up to events when I was scared of being alone, I spoke to crowds of people when I was scared I wasn't going to say the right things, and I applied to any internship and organization role I could. I took the risk, I made the leap, and somehow I landed on my feet running. I may not have succeeded at everything that I did, but I did it, I showed up for myself, and I made memories, and sometimes I even had fun. Now that voice inside my head that tells me not to take the risk is still there, but I have to push through it, and I have to try, otherwise, I won’t succeed. So the key to success is trying, is taking the risk and getting out of your own way, and just let yourself live without the fear of failure, because it’s inevitable, but it doesn't have to be the end of all things. Let failure not be your destruction, but be the flame that allows you to rise from the ashes into a new path of life.
What advice would you give to future students pursuing a business degree?
While my last answer somewhat answers this, I always have more pieces of advice that I love to share, and that I’ve also been telling myself recently. When you pursue a business degree, there is a whole world that you are introduced to, and there are many things that you are told to do by your professors, professionals, and even by your peers. It will be vastly overwhelming, you will want to soak up every piece of advice and information thrown your way, and you will think that you have to do everything and more to accomplish your dreams. You might think that you have to network with every person that comes your way, that you need to make sure you have a job, internship, or opportunity lined up every year, so that you have something to show your future employers. You will be told to get a good GPA and to graduate on time, or you won’t get where you need to be. And while those things aren’t technically wrong, you don’t have to be Superman or Wonder Woman to get where you want to be. You don’t have to be perfect and do everything on the list; you don’t have to compare yourself to the accomplishments of your peers, but what you do need to do is be proud of your progress and the things you have accomplished so far. No path in life is guarded with strict borders, you're allowed to venture outside those lines and explore the kind of life you want to have. You're allowed to ask for help, to lean on others, and take things a little bit slower or take a unique path, so long as it fits your goals, dreams, and aspirations. This is your life and no one else's, this life has to feel right to you, so give yourself a break, take your time, and mess up every once in and while because the mess-ups are usually the thing that you needed more than anything else in the world. So do the impossible and believe in yourself, you’ve gotten this far, now let's go farther.