The long-standing event recognizes individuals who elevate Beacom’s mission, strengthen the academic community and contribute to business across South Dakota and beyond.

Beacom School of Business Distinguished Service Award

Wyatt Haines – MBA ’03, BBA ’03

Wyatt Haines earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration from USD. Originally from White Lake, South Dakota, he was the first of seven siblings to attend USD and was involved in Delta Sigma Pi, Coyote football and his family’s farming operation during his college years.

Haines began his career in investment banking in Los Angeles, California, before moving into mergers and acquisitions for a telecommunications firm, where he helped lead more than 20 acquisitions and supported the company’s Initial Public Offering. For the past 13 years, he has worked at POET in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, serving as treasurer and now Chief Financial Officer, overseeing capital sourcing, M&A activity, investor relations and key financial operations. Haines also serves on several corporate and nonprofit boards, including the USD Beacom School of Business Finance Advisory Council, and is active in community and USD engagement alongside his wife, Randi. They live in Hartford, South Dakota, with their five children.

Outstanding Undergraduate Student

Malory Peacock – BBA ’25

Malory Peacock is a supply chain management major, with minors in human resource management and international business from Dupree, South Dakota. She has served as a dean’s ambassador, the president of SHRM, a leader in Delta Sigma Pi and a representative in several international programs. Peacock has completed internships in human resources and manufacturing operations and has been active as a Beacom School of Business tutor, graduate assistant and member of Coyote Business Consulting.

Outstanding Graduate Student

Emily Kokales – MBA ’25, BBA ’23

Emily Kokales earned her bachelor’s degree in health services administration and is completing her MBA with a health services administration specialization. From Aberdeen, South Dakota, she has been involved in HEAL, Coyote Business Consulting, Upsilon Phi Delta, Beacom Peer Mentoring, Pi Beta Phi, Dakotathon and SERVE. Kokales completed internships with the Avera Transplant Institute and the Indian Health Service and now works as an Administrative Fellow at Avera McKennan Hospital, pursuing a career in health care administration.

Faculty Excellence Award in Research

James Driver, Ph.D.

Driver is an assistant professor of finance and the Chair in Banking at the Beacom School of Business. He also serves as a guest researcher with the U.S. Census Bureau’s Federal Statistical Research Data Centers program. Driver earned his doctorate in business administration–inance from Texas A&M University, and his research centers on innovation in corporate finance, higher education financing and banking. At the business school, he teaches business finance, financial derivatives and international finance, and he serves as the faculty advisor for USD’s Financial Management Association chapter. He also enjoys helping prospective college students learn foundational financial concepts.

Faculty Excellence in Service and Engagement

Derek Franken, MPA

Franken is an instructor of accounting at USD and has served as the advisor for Beta Alpha Psi for the past five years. He previously spent thirteen years teaching at Dakota State University, where he advised several student organizations, including Students in Free Enterprise, Enactus and Working to Help Others. Franken encourages students to engage beyond the classroom through leadership, service and professional development, helping them grow as well-rounded individuals and future business professionals.

Faculty Excellence Award in Teaching

Nicholas Wilson, Ph.D.

Wilson is an assistant professor of accounting at the Beacom School of Business, where he teaches accounting analytics, financial reporting and governmental and nonprofit accounting. A licensed Certified Public Accountant, he brings experience from the alternative investment services industry to his academic work. He is actively involved in student mentorship through thesis advising, collaborative research, Coyote Business Consulting and the Stock Simulation Club. His research examines financial reporting, goodwill impairment and tax strategy, with publications forthcoming in peer-reviewed accounting journals. Wilson also serves as Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee.

Staff Excellence Award

Chelsea Limoges

Limoges is the director of industry engagement at the Beacom School of Business, where she leads Coyote Business Consulting, professional development programming and executive education. She works closely with industry partners across South Dakota and supports statewide outreach through USD’s partnership with South Dakota Trade. Before joining USD, she held roles at the USD Alumni Foundation and The Andersons. Originally from Cambridge, Iowa, Chelsea earned her degree in agricultural studies from Iowa State University. She lives in South Dakota with her husband and two children.

The Beacom School of Business Awards Dinner continues a 77-year tradition of recognizing excellence in scholarship, service, leadership and professional achievement. Each honoree reflects the school’s commitment to preparing ethical, innovative and community-minded business leaders who contribute meaningfully to South Dakota and the broader region.

“Our award recipients embody the talent, dedication, and integrity that define the Beacom community,” said Klaus Beckmann, Ph.D., interim dean of the Beacom School of Business. “Their achievements strengthen our school, inspire our students and elevate the impact USD has across the state and beyond.”

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