Announcing Broad College’s 2024 Broad Alumni Award Winners

The Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State University proudly honors Jose V. “Zito” Sartarelli for the 2024 Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award, Arianna Ferwerda as the 2024 Young Alum of the Year and Russell “Russ” Palmer for the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award – Jose “Zito” Sartarelli

Jose “Zito” Satarelli (MBA ’75, PhD Business Administration ’79) has been an inspiration in the pharmaceutical industry for his business mindset and educational teachings to aspiring leaders.

Dr. Sartarelli is a graduate of Michigan State University as a Fulbright Scholar, earning an MBA in marketing in 1975 and a Doctorate in Business Administration in 1979. During his time at MSU, he met his wife, Katherine Ann “Kathy” Sartarelli, who earned her Master’s degree in Biophysics. Together they support one another and honor MSU with their achievements in their respective fields and global experiences.

Dr. Sartarelli spent three decades in marketing and management for the international pharmaceutical industry where he led global offices for Johnson & Johnson, Bristol-Meyers Squib and Eli Lilly. He then transitioned to higher education, serving as the Dean of the College of Business and Economics at West Virginia University and then as Chancellor of UNC-Wilmington. After 35 successful years of business, leadership, and education, Dr. Satarelli now reflects on his legacy in retirement.

Earlier this year, Dr. and Mrs. Sartarelli committed to support Broad College students with more than $1M in scholarships, which will be allocated to a new scholarship fund in their name and to the Donald and Shirley Taylor Marketing Doctoral Student Support Fund, in honor of Dr. Donald Taylor who was responsible for Dr. Sartarelli finding his way to Michigan State University.

Broad is proud to honor Dr. Sartarelli with the Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award, in celebration of his exemplary professional career and dedication to higher education.

Young Alum of the Year – Arianna Ferwerda

The Young Alum of the Year award is received by an alumnus from the past 10 years, under 40 years old, who has begun or has left their inspirational legacy in the business world. This year, Broad honors Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Halfdays, Ariana Ferwerda (B.A. Marketing ’16, M.S. Market Research ’17).

After earning her degrees at MSU, Ferwerda spent her time as a retail consultant at The NPD Group, where she learned data analytics and used her experience with large data-empowered brands and retailers to launch Halfdays.

Halfdays is an outdoor apparel brand that focuses on creating an inclusive, fashionable environment. Ferwerda’s work has landed her on the Forbes 30 under 30 List, an accomplishment that very few have received.

Ferwerda gives back to the MSU community in several ways. On February 7^th, 2023, she returned to campus to take part in the “Innovate State” Speaker series with the Burgess Institute, where she inspired students to find a passion and find out how to improve it. In the spring of 2023, Ferwerda hosted MSU’s Women in Entrepreneurship students in Colorado for a company tour.

Broad is proud to honor Ariana Ferwerda with the Young Alum of the Year award. Her success, dedication, and talent are an inspiration to all students.

Lifetime Achievement Award – Russell Palmer

Broad is proud to present Russell “Russ” Palmer (B.A. Accounting ’56) with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his many successful years as a businessman and his loyalty and commitment towards MSU.

Palmer has accomplished what few others have. At age 37, he became the youngest person to become the chief executive officer at a “Big Eight” firm, Touche Ross, an accounting and consultant firm. Palmer then took his talents and knowledge to start his private equity firm, The Palmer Group.

After 27 years in the consulting and accounting profession, Palmer became the dean of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Palmer and his wife, Wendy, have been incredibly active in the MSU community, and Broad is honored to have an alum who cares so deeply for the success of future Spartan leaders.

In 2017, the Palmers made a large contribution to name the Russell Palmer Career Management Center at The Broad College of Business, which has greatly supported the success of hundreds of students in finding a career they are passionate about.

Outside of MSU, Palmer makes it a priority to give back to his community and inspire others to succeed. He started The Russell E. Palmer Charitable Trust which has provided leadership, support services, education-focused programs, scholarships, and financial support to charter schools. He is a part of many boards and is a trustee; his experience is greatly respected by his peers.

Broad is extremely honored to award Palmer with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his decades of professional excellence, commitment to charitable causes and his dedication to the next generation of Spartan leaders.