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Abilene Christian University’s College of Business Administration has selected 18 students for the next cohort of Dukes Scholars in Finance, funded by the Dr. William P. and Janie B. Dukes Excellence in Finance Endowment.

In 2022, the late Dr. Bill and Janie Dukes donated, through their estate, more than $29 million to ACU – the largest single academic gift in ACU’s history. Their generosity established the Dr. William P. and Janie B. Dukes Excellence in Finance Endowment, and in recognition of this historic gift, the university launched the Dukes School of Finance, with the Dukes Scholars as one of its flagship programs.

Students are selected as Dukes Scholars based on qualities important to the Dukes family, including Christian faith and commitment to the ACU mission, exemplary lives of service and leadership in the global marketplace, and high standards of character and integrity. 

This year’s 18 new additions to the Dukes Scholars group join 19 returning Dukes Scholars. Students entering as freshmen receive scholarships of up to $53,000 over their four years at ACU, in addition to any other university-awarded scholarships. They must continue on a strong academic trajectory, along with excellent personal integrity, to maintain the scholarship. The scholars benefit from monthly events such as dinners, speakers, training sessions, community service opportunities, mentoring and travel.

“Our first year was exciting, and we look forward to increasing the opportunities for students in our second year,” said Dr. Kyle Tippens (’91), associate professor and director of the Dukes School of Finance. “God continues to provide resources for this purpose, and for that we are very grateful.”

New Dukes Scholars for 2024-25 are:

• McKenzie Coronado, freshman from Haslet, Texas
• Olivia Crist, freshman from Valley Center, California 
• Cameron Cronin, freshman from Keller, Texas
• Grant Faulkner, freshman from Tyler, Texas
• Brenna Haynes, freshman from Granbury, Texas 
• Madeleine Kane, freshman from Dodson, Texas
• Clarisa MacDonald, freshman from San Antonio, Texas
• Andrew Martin, freshman from Burleson, Texas 
• Shawn Nicholson, freshman from Cedar Creek, Texas
• Avery Schilling, freshman from Lubbock, Texas
• Rachel Wilson, freshman from Austin, Texas 
• Nason Jones, sophomore from Salt Lake City, Utah
• William Jones, sophomore from Colleyville, Texas
• Kate Born, junior from Grapevine, Texas
• Lili Ross, junior from Abilene, Texas
• Nick Schott, junior from Chino Hills, California
• Jackson Dodd, senior from Sweetwater, Texas
• Ella Venegoni, senior from New Braunfels, Texas
  

Learn more about ACU’s College of Business Administration.

— Wendy Kilmer
Sept. 3, 2024