Walsh luncheon raises scholarships, connects students with business leaders

Walsh University’s DeVille School of Business hosted its 55th annual Business Club Scholarship Luncheon on April 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The event is held each year in the Barrette Business and Community Center and features a high-profile business professional as keynote speaker.

The annual luncheon is held for several reasons, including celebrating the program’s student achievements. It is also meant to strengthen connections between Walsh’s business students and the Northeast Ohio business community.

The event also raises student scholarship funds, with proceeds benefiting students within the DeVille School of Business. The scholarships provide support for students pursuing degrees in business, management, marketing, finance and related disciplines.

Walsh President Dr. Tim Collins spoke to those in attendance before the scheduled guest speaker was introduced.

This year, Thomas B. McGowan IV, J.D., M.B.A., president and CEO of The McGowan Companies, addressed the packed room. McGowan shared the story behind one of the oldest and largest insurance brokerage organizations in the United States. With a career spanning nearly three decades leading a multigenerational, family-owned conglomerate of insurance and financial services companies, he brings a wealth of experience in innovation, growth and relationship-driven leadership to the Walsh community.

The Business Club is one of Walsh University’s longest-standing and most active student organizations, dating back to the university’s early years in the 1960s. The annual Business Club Scholarship Luncheon has grown into a signature tradition bringing together business professionals, community leaders, alumni and students to celebrate business education while raising funds to support future generations of Walsh business graduates.

Business Club President Antonio Paganelli expressed pride in the student-led nature of the event and gratitude for the support it generates. “Our officers and members work hard throughout the year to make this luncheon a meaningful experience for our guests and an impactful fundraiser for our classmates,” Paganelli said. “We are especially thankful for the ongoing guidance of our faculty advisor, Amanda Dalpiaz, whose mentorship helps us bridge what we learn in the classroom with real-world opportunities.”

Paganelli is a senior at Walsh. He is originally from Redondo Beach, California, and came to Ohio to attend Walsh. His goals for his career include owning his own company one day, and he may want to go to law school. He is currently working on a startup business making and selling his own brand of smoothies.

While this is the 55th luncheon for the Business Club, it was paused during the COVID-19 years and returned as an annual event three years ago. Paganelli said students in the business program help organize the event each year by working with local businesses, contacting alumni from the program and performing other planning tasks.

“The students attending this year are seated at a table with business attendants in the same field as the student studied as a way to connect students to employers,” Paganelli said. “For example, accounting students would be seated with accounting professionals at the luncheon. The scholarships from the event vary depending on how much is raised. I received a scholarship last year, and it was very helpful.”

Faculty advisor Amanda Dalpiaz said, “I came on board after COVID and helped restart the luncheon; some really great students who are natural leaders stepped up to help.”

She said the scholarship amount awarded this year is $17,000, which was divided among three business majors. One student received $7,000, and two students received $5,000 each. The awardees were announced at the luncheon.

“Because of the support of local businesses, we were able to award $17,000 in scholarships to three outstanding students – Allison Eby, Johnpaul Villarreal and Logan Skidmore – funded directly through the event’s net proceeds. It was truly inspiring to see the meaningful conversations and connections formed between students and business professionals throughout the luncheon,” Dalpiaz said.

Students submit essays in January, which are reviewed by a committee. Awards are given based on the essays, the students’ servant leadership involvement and financial need. The scholarships can be applied to tuition.

“The club helps connect business majors with employers, helps develop them into servant leaders, helps with resumes, provides tips on job interviews and helps members grow and develop professionally. They also take trips that have a business focus. Last year, the club went to New York City and toured the Bloomberg offices and visited Google.”

Dalpiaz said about 95 percent of the students in the club are business majors, with the remaining students from other majors interested in learning more about business. Attendees at the luncheon include alumni and business associates.

“We have longtime alumni and other supporters of the business program who keep coming back each year; it has become a tradition for them to attend. Plus, they like to come to see and talk with past classmates. For the alumni supporters, building positive connections with businesses was a part of their own experience when they were members in the club, and they like to carry that forward. They also get involved as mentors, speakers and by offering internship opportunities for students,” Dalpiaz said.