Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business Awards
The Dean’s Award for Excellence in Business, Kylie DeWeese
The Dean’s Award for Excellence in Business is conferred upon a senior business major who has excelled in all aspects of the business curriculum and has demonstrated the potential to make a significant contribution to their discipline.
DeWeese, a double major in sports communication and marketing from Greenville, South Carolina, has demonstrated strong leadership and involvement across campus organizations. She serves as Agency Director for Cadency, Senior Chair of the Marketing Student Advisory Board, and has contributed to Clemson Athletics as a Lead Fan Experience and Entertainment Intern. In addition, she has gained communications experience as a Marketing and Communications Specialist with the Pearce Center. Through these roles, DeWeese has built a well-rounded foundation in both marketing strategy and fan engagement. Upon graduation, she plans to pursue a career in marketing and fan experience within the sports industry.
Marketing Department Awards
The Marketing Department Annual Award for General Marketing, Laine Brennan and Drey Owen
This Annual Award is given to two seniors who have excelled in academics and leadership, have shown a willingness to complete important tasks on behalf of the department, and exhibit the positive attitude and passion that are necessary for those who want to excel in the field of Marketing.
Brennan built extensive marketing experience through two Clemson UPIC internships. As a Marketing and Communications Intern with Clemson University’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), she helped develop integrated marketing campaigns and manage communications for more than 2,000 members while supporting events and community partnerships. She currently serves as the Marketing and Communications Intern with Clemson’s Department of Marketing, where she manages editorial planning, creates digital content, and produces departmental newsletters. Brennan has also been active in Kappa Delta, participated in the Clemson Marketing Association, volunteered with ClemsonLIFE, and studied abroad in Florence, Italy. Upon graduation, she will join Abercrombie & Fitch as an Assistant Merchant in the company’s Leadership Development Program at its headquarters in Columbus, Ohio.
Owen has been actively involved in several leadership and professional roles during his time at Clemson. He serves as an Account Manager for Cadency and is the founder and president of Clemson Cars and Coffee. Owen has also worked as a Lead Production Technician for Clemson FCA and gained marketing experience as an intern with Clemson University’s Central Donor Relations. In addition, he broadened his global perspective through a study abroad experience in London. After graduation, he plans to pursue a career in automotive marketing.
The Marketing Department Annual Award for Sports Marketing, Sophia Brubaker and Noah Boudolf
The Annual Award for Sports Marketing is presented to two students who concentrate in sports marketing and have excelled in both academics and leadership. These students have participated in events related to sports marketing and community service. They exhibit the positive attitude and passion that are necessary for those who want to work in the industry.
Brubaker has combined her passion for media and sports through a variety of production roles at Clemson. She served as a Student Producer, Videographer, and Editor with Clemson Athletics and worked as a Replay Operator for ESPN’s ACC Network. Brubaker also held a leadership role in her sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma, where she served as a Bible study leader. She received the Clemson Honors College Educational Enrichment Travel Grant, which supported an international marketing and social media internship with Thracian Cliffs Golf & Beach Resort in Bulgaria. Additionally, she gained industry experience as a PGA TOUR Summer Intern in Broadcast Technology and plans to pursue a career in golf media after graduation.
Boudolf has played a key role in Clemson’s sports broadcasting efforts through his work with Clemson Video. Over the past three years, he has served as both a camera operator and technical director for ACC Network and ESPN broadcasts, contributing to more than 200 Clemson sporting event broadcasts. He has also been involved with the Tiger Paw Classic, a charity golf tournament run by honors students in collaboration with the Sales Innovation Program, serving as promotional signage lead in 2025 and tournament director in 2026. Off campus, Boudolf interned with Fanatics Collectibles in product development during summer 2025 and will return to the company’s New York City office for a finance internship in summer 2026. He plans to graduate in December 2026 and hopes to pursue a career in sports collectibles, sports marketing, or broadcast media.
The Marketing Department Annual Award for Research, Cooper Norris and Olivia Adrian
This Annual Award for Research is given to two seniors who have shown potential for a career in research as evidenced by their academic achievement, independent work on research projects with faculty, demonstrated excellence in research-related coursework and faculty recommendation.
Norris gained both international and research-focused marketing experience during his time at Clemson. He participated in the European Perspectives in Marketing study abroad program, studying marketing practices in London and Paris. On campus, he worked with Cadency on brand strategy and data analytics and served as Vice President of Client Relations for CUInsights, where he led research on undergraduate research demand among business students. Norris also completed six semesters as a UPIC intern with Clemson Recycling Services. After graduating in December 2025, he began working as a Marketing Strategy Intern at Crawford and will begin the Master of Marketing Research program at the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business in the summer of 2026.
Adrian has been recognized for both academic excellence and campus involvement throughout her time at Clemson. She is a member of Alpha Phi’s Iota Rho chapter and has earned multiple placements on both the President’s List and Dean’s List. Adrian gained professional experience as a Real Estate Marketing Intern at Smith Spencer Real Estate, where she managed social media platforms and developed marketing materials, including open-house brochures, listing materials, email campaigns, and digital content. In addition to her professional work, she has volunteered with Lowcountry Orphan Relief and the Ronald McDonald House. After completing her undergraduate degree, Adrian will continue her education in Clemson’s Master of Marketing program and hopes to pursue a career in real estate marketing.
Sales Innovation Program Students of the Year, Lilly Respess and Garrett Began
Awarded to two seniors who have shown the potential to become great salespeople, as evidenced by participation and academic achievement in their sales classes. This award goes to students who have completed the courses required to earn their Sales Certificate in Marketing.
Respess has been highly engaged across campus through leadership, academics, and professional development opportunities. As a member of Clemson University Tour Guides, she has given more than 180 campus tours and previously served as Vice President of Training and Continuing Education, where she trained 67 new tour guides through an intensive three-month program. She is also president of Campus Outreach, a Christian ministry, where she leads a weekly Bible study. Respess has been an active competitor in the Sales Innovation Program, earning multiple recognitions, including First Runner-Up in the Fall 2025 Internal Sales Competition and Second Runner-Up in the Spring 2025 Social Selling Competition. She also studied abroad in Oxford, England and completed a sales internship with Michelin before accepting a full-time sales role with the company beginning in September.
Began has been actively involved in service, leadership, and professional development during his time at Clemson. Through Clemson Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM), he serves on the Clemson Downs Retirement Home Serve Team, visiting residents with dementia each week, and has participated in a spring break mission trip to New York City. As a member of the Sales Innovation Program, he mentors fellow students as an Ascent Mentor. He has competed in several competitions, including earning second place in the Spring 2026 Social Selling Competition. Began also studied abroad through the European Perspectives on Marketing program in London and Paris. Off campus, he gained experience as a Level II Account Management Intern with ALKU. He will serve as a B2B Sales Intern with Michelin North America in Greenville, South Carolina, during the summer of 2026. Upon graduation, he plans to pursue a career in sales.
