USD Accounting & Finance Division Celebrates Alumni and Students at Annual Awards Dinner
The evening recognized the professional accomplishments of distinguished USD alumni while highlighting the academic achievements and contributions of current accounting and finance students. The annual gathering provides an opportunity to celebrate the people who make the division successful and recognize the impact of its graduates in the business community.
Honoring Outstanding Alumni
The Outstanding Service Awards were given to alumni who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to their professions, the university and the continued success of the division. The awards recognize individuals whose service, leadership and commitment have made a lasting impact on the USD community.
This year's Outstanding Service Award recipients are:
Barb Vavruska
CFP® Professional & Civic Leader
Gary R. Fish
Energy Executive, Entrepreneur & Public Servant
Vavruska and Fish are 1981 graduates of the business school and have built distinguished careers in financial planning, energy and public service. Barb has spent 40 years as a financial planner and served 16 years on the Brandon City Council, including as the city's first woman mayor. Gary has more than 45 years of experience in the energy industry and has founded and led multiple energy businesses. Both remain actively involved in supporting USD and the Beacom School of Business, serving on university boards and establishing a scholarship for Brandon Valley High School students pursuing a business education at USD.
Korey Kletschke
Financial Advisor & Branch Manager, Stifel
Kletschke is a financial advisor and branch manager of Stifel's Dakota Dunes office. He began his financial services career in 2011 and joined Stifel after graduating from the University of Iowa in 2012 with a degree in finance. He holds both the Chartered Financial Consultant designation and Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) certification. In 2017, he co-founded Kletschke Wealth Management Group, which has grown to eight professionals managing approximately $470 million in client assets. He lives in Dakota Dunes with his wife, Ali, and their three children.
Greg Miner
Partner, Ketel Thorstenson, LLP
Miner is a 2012 graduate of the USD Beacom School of Business, earning both a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Professional Accountancy. He joined Ketel Thorstenson in 2014 and became a partner in 2022. During his time at USD, he served as president of Beta Alpha Psi and CEO of Coyotopoly. He remains active in professional leadership and community involvement. He lives in Spearfish, South Dakota, with his wife, Kellee, and their two children.
Celebrating Student Excellence
The Top Performance Awards recognize students who excel academically and demonstrate involvement and leadership within the accounting and finance community. Recipients are selected through faculty nominations, with consideration given to their academic accomplishments, participation in student organizations, leadership experiences and contributions to the community.
The 2026 Top Performance Award recipients include:
- Taylor Freeburg
- Emily Hartman
- Alisba Irfan
- Palmer Johnson
- Shaurya K.C.
- Camryn Kersten
- Jake Mikkonen
- Zander Olson
- Carsen Phelps
- Maddix Slykhuid
- Mylie Weber
- Elham Yusuf
- Dawson Aberson
- Lily Bonderson
- Faith Christensen
- Evelyn Close
- Kayda Hanis
- Lukas Paul
- Ava Schroeder
- Leah Staben
- Ella Ziegeldorf
- Melanie Brozik
- Ethan Crawford
- Parker Etzel
- Ryan Greenfield
- Makayla Van Voorst
- Trevor Thomsen
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