Wayne State University

Public Relations

Wayne State Business School Honors Local Business Leaders

April 4, 2008

Florine Mark named Michigan Executive of the Year; David Breen named Distinguished Alumnus

Wayne State University's School of Business Administration has selected Florine Mark, President and CEO of The WW (Weight Watchers) Group, Inc., as 2008 Michigan Executive of the Year.

The school confers this award annually to recognize a distinguished business leader who contributes to the advancement of the State of Michigan and its citizenry.  "It is so flattering to be honored by WSU as a top executive. There are so many brilliant leaders in the mitten. To be considered to be this year's best is quite an honor," said Mark. The award will be presented this year on April 9th at the business school's Annual Recognition and Awards Program, held this year at the Detroit Institute of Arts. 

Also being honored is David J. Breen, Managing Partner, Greater Michigan Practice at PriceWaterhouseCoopers, LLP, as 2008 Distinguished Alumnus. This award is bestowed annually to recognize an alumnus for outstanding personal and professional accomplishments and service to Wayne State University and the community.

In addition to these honors, nearly $500,000 in scholarship funds will be awarded to more than 100 students enrolled in the School of Business Administration at Wayne State.  Amy-Jo Hollister of Newport, Mich., will receive the Outstanding Student of the Year award. Only one student of the nearly 4000 enrolled in Wayne State's business school receives this award each year. The Gamma Theta chapter of Delta Sigma Pi will receive the Student Community Service award.

Faculty awards include the Distinguished Research, Distinguished Teacher and Board of Visitors Faculty Fellow awards. The awards will be presented to Sudip Datta, T. Norris

Hitchman Endowed Chair in Finance (Research award); Albert D. Spalding, Jr., Associate Professor of Accounting (Teacher award); and Toni M. Somers, Professor of Information Systems Management (Fellow award).

Wayne State University is a premier research institution of higher education offering more than 350 academic degree programs through 11 schools and colleges to more than 33,000 students in metropolitan Detroit. 

The School of Business Administration at Wayne State University has graduated more than 30,000 business and community professionals since its founding in 1946 and continues to provide quality business education in metropolitan Detroit through AACSB accredited business degree programs.

  • Contact: Jenny Powell
  • Voice: (313) 577-0202
  • Email: Jenny@wayne.edu
  • Fax: (313) 577-4557
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