Mendoza announces 2022 alumni awards

The University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business annually recognizes alumni for their dedication of service to the College as a volunteer or by living out the mission to Grow the Good in Business in their daily lives. This year’s recipients were nominated by Mendoza faculty and staff, as well as fellow alumni. Listed below are the 2022 awardees, all of whom will receive a commemorative trophy and a three-session coaching package on IrishCompass, Notre Dame’s exclusive networking and career development platform.

• The 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award was received by Jake Frego (MBA ‘87). Frego was awarded for both his accomplishments in both his long career as an executive at Bank of America and his life of service on such boards as Habitat for Humanity, Make-a-Wish and the Mendoza Corporate Advisory Board.
• The 2022 Grow the Good in Business Award was received by Benjamin Moore (MBA ‘20). Moore was awarded for founding The Ugly Company, which exists to prevent food waste and add value back to family farms.
• The 2022 Commitment to Michiana Award was received by Kevin Kruggel (BBA ACCT ‘82). Kruggel was awarded for his multiple years of service to the community, including his board service with the Michiana Arts and Sciences Council, the History Museum, the History Museum Foundation and the Business Development Corporation of St. Joseph County.
• The 2022 Service to Students Award was received by Matthew Koerner (EMBA ‘21). Koerner was awarded for the work he has done to support Mendoza’s EMBA students.
• The 2022 Recent Graduate Alumni Service Award was received by Stephen Ziegler (EMNA ‘20). Ziegler was awarded for his collaboration in the region with students on business ventures, including buying and renovating the historic Kizer House.

“Mendoza is blessed to have a strong alumni network that constantly finds ways to connect with our students and embody Mendoza’s mission,” said Ryan Retartha, director of Alumni Relations at Mendoza. “We are grateful for all of our alumni who play such a key role in the College community.” To be considered for one of these awards, an individual must have graduated with one of Mendoza’s degree programs and they cannot have received one of Mendoza’s four alumni awards within the past three years. More information about the alumni awards and past recipients can be found here.