A pair of Eli Broad College of Business alumni was among 11 of MSU’s top-achieving alumni and donors worldwide recognized by the MSU Alumni Association at the annual Grand Awards Gala on Friday, Nov. 9 at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center.
Manoj Saxena
“It is a privilege to honor this group from the many deserving members of the Spartan Nation, not only for their outstanding achievements, but for the far-reaching impacts they have on the lives of others and our world,” said Bob Thomas, interim associate vice president for Alumni Relations. “The 2018 Alumni Grand Award recipients exemplify how Spartans put their innate talents, entrepreneurial spirit and world-class education to work for a better tomorrow.”
Manoj Kumar Saxena was among those honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award. Recipients include alumni that have differentiated themselves by achieving the highest level of professional accomplishment.
Saxena received his MBA from the Broad College in 1991. He is executive chairman of CognitiveScale and founding managing director of The Entrepreneurs’ Fund IV. He previously served as the first general manager of IBM Watson, where his team built the first cognitive systems. Recently, Saxena retired as chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, San Antonio.
Marc Conlin
“We are living in the midst of a Cambrian explosion in technology and I am passionate about putting these technologies to work for the betterment of society and our planet,” said Saxena. “Our lives are defined by purpose. Without that, success is an empty stage.”
Marc Sherwood Conlin was among those receiving the Alumni Service award, which honors alumni who have demonstrated service to MSU and/or commendable public service on a local, state, national or international level.
Conlin received his MBA in production and quality control from the Broad College in 1972, and a BS in electrical engineering from MSU’s College of Engineering in 1969. A member of the campus community for 54 years, he is currently business/personnel manager and budget officer for MSU’s Department of Physics and Astronomy. He has pledged nearly $2 million in planned gifts to MSU.
“It is a privilege to honor Mr. Conlin not only for his outstanding achievements, but for the far-reaching impacts he has on the lives of others and our world,” said Thomas.
