The Department of Finance and Economics is pleased to announce its departmental graduation award recipients. Eligible for consideration were IUP undergraduates who have a declared major in finance or economics and who will have graduated in December 2024, January 2025, May 2025, or August 2025.
Each selection process follows distinctive faculty nomination criteria and may include a vote by the permanent teaching faculty of the respective program’s upper-level classes.
We congratulate the following undergraduate student recipients of the 2024–25 annual FIEC departmental graduation awards:
Economics Program
Bright Dismal Scientist Award:
(sponsored by Pearson Higher Education)
Caleb Johnson
- BS, Finance with Economics/Honors double major
- “During my time at IUP, I’ve been fortunate to engage in several impactful academic and extracurricular experiences. Some of the most notable were the Student Managed Investment Portfolio, where I held the role of chief compliance officer, as well as my position as an economics tutor. I was also fortunate enough to attend the Pennsylvania Economic Association annual conference in 2024, where I presented an econometrics research paper that I co-authored with Shagufta Haque. Our paper won the Best Undergraduate Paper Contest and was published in the Pennsylvania Economic Review.”
Dr. Jack D. Julian Memorial Award:
(sponsored through IUP Foundation gifts made in honor of the late Jack D. Julian)
Alexander Tseng
- BS, Mathematics and BA, Economics/Honors dual degrees
- “At IUP, I initially pursued a degree in actuarial science and statistics. But after taking a few economics courses, my interest in the field grew, so I added a second degree in economics. This interdisciplinary focus resulted in two award-winning econometric projects at the IUP Scholars Forum, one of which I presented at the Undergraduate Research at the Capitol in Harrisburg, PA. These experiences, guided by some of the best professors out there, have significantly shaped my academic development, providing me with invaluable knowledge and skills.”
Nathaniel Zik
- BS, Accounting and BA, Economics/Honors dual degrees
- “IUP has given me countless opportunities for campus involvement and the expansion of my professional network. I was able to participate in the IUP Scholars Forum in connection with the research conducted in the econometrics classes, where I was able to win the Outstanding Oral Presentation award with my co-author, Jacob Holes. Beyond this, I was able to participate in the Student Accounting Association, in which I was able to connect and learn from the business leaders of various accounting firms.”
Brewer Award:
(sponsored as part of the Drs. Jozefowicz Department of Economics Scholarship fund through the IUP Foundation)
Shagufta Haque
- BA, Economics/Honors with Finance double major
- “While at IUP, I have had the honor of being part of several academic experiences and holding some leadership roles. One of my most memorable experiences has been writing a paper for econometrics with my co-author, Caleb Johnson, and earning first place in the Best Undergraduate Paper Contest for the Pennsylvania Economic Association conference in 2024! Outside the classroom, I had the privilege of serving as the student member on the IUP Council of Trustees and vice president for the IUP Student Government Association.”
Finance Program
Academic Excellence Award:
Ronald Fleck
- BA, Economics/Honors and BS, Finance dual degrees
- “IUP has given me countless opportunities to pursue my interests and further my academic career. As a member and former sector leader of the Student Managed Investment Portfolio, I was able to gain real-world experience in investment research and portfolio management. In the fall of 2024, another student and I competed and won the first-place team prize in the CFA Stock Picker Challenge, beating teams from 10 other schools across the state. I would like to thank my advisor and my professors for these tremendous opportunities.”
Service and Leadership Excellence Award:
Myca Torreance
- BS, Finance with Economics/Honors double major
- “At IUP, I focused on leading and learning in finance. I served as president of the Student Finance Association, planning events that linked students with finance professionals. As chief economist for the Student Managed Investment Portfolio, I tracked economic trends and shared insights that guided our investment choices. I also sat on the Eberly College of Business Student Advisory Council, giving student feedback on new programs and participating in leadership workshops. These roles helped me build strong analytical and leadership skills while supporting my classmates’ success.”
Additionally, the department congratulates the following FIEC majors who were selected for inclusion in the college-wide 2025 Eberly Student Gallery:
- Ronald Fleck (graduating in August 2025 with BA, Economics/Honors and BS, Finance dual degrees)
- Shagufta Haque (graduating in May 2025 with BA, Economics/Honors with Finance double major)
- Chloe Stoner (graduating in May 2025 with BS, Finance and with Economics/Honors double major)