2017 Best & Brightest: Casey Gelchion, Notre Dame (Mendoza)

Casey Gelchion

University of Notre Dame, Mendoza College of Business

“I’m a girl who loves school, eats chocolate-covered pretzels, naps often, and appreciates good hugs.”

Fun fact about yourself: For the past three years I’ve competed in Notre Dame’s annual Baraka Bouts, a charity boxing tournament for women.

Hometown: South Bend, IN

High School: St. Joseph High School

Major: Accountancy and Theology

Favorite Business Courses: Strategic Cost Management, Accountancy 1&2, and IT Management Applications

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College: Dean’s List 2013-Present; ND Accountancy Excellence Scholarship; Beta Alpha Psi Inductee; Resident Assistant in Badin Hall; Teaching Assistant in the Department of Accountancy; Captain of the Women’s Boxing Club at Notre Dame; Treasurer of the Notre Dame Right to Life Club

Where have you interned during your college career? at General Electric in Fairfield, CT; Intern at Northern Trust in Chicago, IL; Intern for Notre Dame’s Alliance for Catholic Education in Notre Dame, IN; Mentor in Faith for Notre Dame Vision in Notre Dame, IN

Describe your dream Job: My dream job would be working for a company that focuses on more than the financials, a company that cares about the community it resides in. I want to work for a company that thinks big, has bold and lofty expectations for itself, and pushes individuals to grow in and outside of work.

Which executive or entrepreneur do you most admire? I really admire Kevin Plank, the founder, CEO, and Chairman of Under Armour. His humble beginnings, starting UA from his grandmother’s basement, is a testament to hard work and perseverance, and I appreciate his advice to entrepreneurs, “put the pen down, work hard, and get your product out there.”

What did you enjoy most about majoring in a business-related field? I enjoyed discovering how interdisciplinary business truly is and how it touches so many facets of daily life. I always felt that what I was learning had practical implications for my life, and I really appreciate that fact!

What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? Over these past few years, I have learned about balance sheets, marketing strategies, cost analysis, etc. but the one lesson that looms the largest is the importance of leadership within an organization. Great leaders have a clear vision of their company, as well as the ability to communicate that vision to their team.  imply, great leaders make the difference.

Where would you like to work after graduation? After graduating, I have committed to pursue furthering my education and serve those in need. While obtaining my master’s degree from Notre Dame, I will be teaching in an under-resourced school in the US. After this two-year program I am open to seeing where life takes me!

What are your long-term professional goals? I would like to be a part of an organization with a sense of mission that challenges me and helps me to grow. I hope to do work that helps others and is grounded in meaning and a sense of purpose.

What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? Find the field that you feel most drawn to and pursue it passionately. Do not try to force yourself to like a particular sector, but use the gifts you’ve been given to thrive in an area you find purpose in.

“I knew I wanted to major in business when…I listened to people explain the various directions you can take with a degree in business and the good you can do for others.”

“If I didn’t major in business, I would be…less aware of the nature of the world economy and how business touches all aspects of life.“

“Before I entered business school, I wish I had known…just how exciting, impactful and rewarding a career in business can be. A great company can change the world!”

What was the happiest moment of your life? The happiest moment of my life was when I hugged my parents after being accepted to the University of Notre Dame.

Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? I am extremely proud and honored to have served as a boxing captain for Notre Dame’s Women’s Boxing Club during my junior and senior year. It was one of the most challenging and rewarding roles I have ever taken on, and I could not be more thankful for all that I learned.

What animal would you choose to represent your professional brand? A giraffe! I have always loved giraffes and hope they would bring a smile to everyone’s face!

Who would you most want to thank for your success? Without question, I would want to thank my incredibly loving and supportive parents. They have always made me feel so loved and cared for, serving as my rock and giving me the strength to persevere and overcome any difficulty that comes my way.

What would you like your business school peers to say about you after you graduate from this program? I would like to be thought of as a good team member who tried to make genuine contributions when and where she could. I would hope that I could be seen as an authentic and helpful person in the community.

Favorite book: The Great Divorce by CS Lewis

Favorite movie: Crazy, Stupid, Love

Favorite musical performer: Keith Urban

Favorite vacation spot: Anguilla

What are your hobbies? Boxing, reading, crafting

What made Casey such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2017?

“I had the pleasure of having Casey as a student in the Fall 2014 and the Spring 2015 in my Accountancy I and Accountancy I l courses, respectively. Because of her abilities and personality, I asked Casey to be one of my teaching assistants in both the Spring and Fall of 2016 semesters.

As a student in my classes, Casey truly stood out. I was able to get to know her because she was assigned a seat in the front row next to the instructor’s computer (students are randomly assigned seats and groups based on last name). She was usually early to class and was often willing to engage me in conversation. Her student position with the athletic department intrigued me as she was part of the recruiting efforts for the football team.

Once class started Casey was always completely engaged in the material. The group she was assigned was not as gifted as she and I often observed her patiently spending the time explaining how to complete the group work assigned in class. While many of her peers just try to complete the group work as quickly as possible, because of her concern for her group mates she not only was able to complete the work on time and accurately, but she was able to assure that her fellow group members understood why the answer was correct.

To know Casey is to know that her personality is infectiously positive. She has an enthusiasm for life that breaks down barriers and draws people to her. With all the challenges of the sophomore business curriculum, not once did I see Casey with anything other than a positive attitude.”

Dr. Michael J Meyer
Associate Teaching Professor Department of Accountancy
Mendoza College of Business

DON’T MISS: THE FULL HONOR ROLL: THE BEST & BRIGHTEST UNDERGRADUATE BUSINESS MAJORS OF 2017

 

 

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