The UConn School of Business inducted five new alumni into the Hall of Fame on Friday night. All are giants in their fields, ranging from space travel to healthcare, professional basketball, and more.

Every one of them spoke passionately about the lasting impact their UConn education, experiences, and friendships had on their careers and their lives.

Emeka Okafor ’04 (BUS), an ESPN sports analyst and former UConn and NBA basketball star, said he is humbled and proud to be a UConn alum. He recalled making a commercial in which he described his alma mater as amazing.

“The delivery was cheesy, but truer words have never been spoken, he told the audience of more than 325 at the Hartford Marriott. “The secret sauce is that everybody is so proud to be a Husky. We share a joy from being a part of this university.

“Don’t be afraid to lean into the pack,” continued Okafor, who studied finance at UConn and graduated in three years. “There are a lot of Huskies out there doing big things. All you have to do is reach out. The biggest investments you’ll make are relationships. You’ll have people in your corner, people who have your back.”

The Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony & Celebration is the pinnacle event of the School of Business. UConn President Radenka Maric, men’s head basketball Coach Dan Hurley, and many previous inductees attended the event along with alumni, faculty, and staff. To date, 165 people have received the Hall of Fame honor.

Alumna: Don’t Be Afraid to Raise Your Hand

As an MBA candidate at UConn, Melissa Cummings ’98 MBA learned the power of fact-based ideas, strong storytelling, and team effort. She also developed the courage to lead.

Formerly the executive vice president and chief customer officer at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Rhode Island, today Cummings is the executive vice president and chief operations officer at Progyny, a healthcare benefits company focused on fertility, family building, and women’s health services.

Personal growth happens when someone confronts a job or a task that is just a bit frightening, the new inductee told the audience.

“Students, you should raise your hand before you feel ready. Growth happens in that stretch,” she said, encouraging students to apply for internships, build relationships, and embrace career twists and turns, as career development rarely happens in a straight pathway.

Alumnus Finds Joy in Helping Today’s Students

Edward F. Lange Jr. ’86 MBA is the retired founder of 106 Rio Ventures. An adjunct professor at UConn, where he is involved with the student-run Hillside Ventures STEM Fund, he invited some 70 students to attend the ceremony.

He said education matters, in part because it fosters the desire for continuous improvement. He recalled learning finance at UConn on a mainframe computer and becoming an early adopter of the spreadsheet. At graduation, he interviewed for an investment banking job along with 11 other candidates, the latter all from Yale.

“I may have embellished my training a little bit,” he said, but he got the job. Today, Lange, who serves on the Dean’s Advisory Cabinet, is determined to share that experience with the next generation.

“The direct feedback from students is that Hillside is a difference maker in their UConn experience. It shapes their career and their plans, and gave them an edge in interviews. This is the part of an education that really matters,’’ he said during his induction speech.

Inductee Hints at Future Space Collaboration

Kevin Kulak ’85 (ENG) is executive vice president of Capital Markets at Voyager Technologies, where he focuses on the construction and financing of Starlab, a commercial space station. Starlab is scheduled to launch in 2029 aboard a SpaceX Starship rocket and will replace the International Space Station.

He also the founder of Fizio Health, an AI-driven musculoskeletal care platform, and serves on the UConn Foundation Board of Directors.

During his induction speech, Kulak hinted that he’s working on an idea that will join UConn and his firm on a future space-related project.

Like the other Hall of Fame inductees, his comments reflected the nostalgia of his UConn days.

“One of the greatest things as an alumnus is when one of your children goes to UConn and you’re able to relive it through them,” he said, urging alumni to reach out to the school, share what they do, and offer to mentor students who share their professional interests.

Alumni Are Eager to Help

Robert M. Giglietti ’92 (BUS) said he arrived in Storrs as a first-generation college student and “an uncertain young man.” The combination of an outstanding education, coupled with adopting his parents’ strong work ethic, proved to be a driver of success. He still feels fortunate to have been given the opportunity to attend college.

Today, Giglietti is group vice president, chief accounting officer, controller, and treasurer at GEO Aerospace and CEO of GE Corporate Holdings. He said he has appreciated watching how the University has grown from a strong school, in his day, to one of the best in the nation.

“Find what makes you tick and pursue it with unrelenting passion,” he told students and young alumni.

Focus on the greater good – “the we, not the me” – engage in the local community, and always give back, he continued. Don’t be reluctant to ask alumni for assistance as they are exceptionally dedicated and eager to help.

“Whenever I drive to campus, I’m immediately taken back to my college days. The University brings out the best in us. Husky Pride carries through all of us,” said the new inductee.

Four Students Inducted as Hall of Fame Student Fellows

In addition to the alumni inductees, the Hall of Fame added four new student fellows. They are:

• Gianna Draghi, an undergraduate majoring in finance, with a perfect GPA. She serves as president of the 270-member UConn Finance Society and held key positions in the student-run Hillside Private Capital and the Student Managed Fund. She is looking forward to beginning her investment banking career in New York City.
• Julia Ghagare, a first-generation undergraduate studying marketing, is president of UConn Women in Business and director of the annual UConn Women in Business Conference, attended by more than 300. She has accepted a job in the marketing development program at Nestle.
• Caroline Keary, a graduate student in social responsibility and impact in business, has led high-impact work in human rights due-diligence, sustainable procurement, and circular economy initiatives. She conducted and implemented a human-rights risk audit for Macy’s, co-founded UConn’s Thrift Den, and served as UConn’s inaugural zero waste coordinator. She has also been active in helping the refugee and immigrant community in Hartford.
• Mark Rokycky, who is earning a master’s in accounting and a graduate certificate in accounting analytics, has maintained a 3.99 GPA as both a UConn undergrad and graduate student. He has served as an instructional assistant, volunteered through UConn’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, and served as a student-athlete tutor. He is currently preparing for the CPA exams and will join PwC’s Hartford office in the fall.