Abilene Christian University College of Business Administration

Grad Highlight: Jonathan Hagood | Master of Accountancy (MAcc)

Jonathan is planting roots in Abilene after graduation, joining the Tax Department at Condley & Company, LLP, this fall and he has an extra reason to love staying close to home. His younger brother, a soon-to-be COBA student, will be joining the ACU football team as a freshman, and Jonathan is excited to be right there to cheer him on. His favorite memories from his time at ACU are the kind that stick with you: participating in Gamma Sigma Phi's Top Gun performance at Sing Song 2023, which took first place, and studying abroad in Oxford, England, with ACU COBA that same summer. He says it's the friendships made along the way that make those memories worth keeping.

His advice to freshmen is simple, tried, and true: "When deciding whether to go to your professor's office hours, always go! Professors are there to help you and always enjoy talking to you, whether it's to clarify class material or just for small talk."

Congratulations, Jonathan! May God bless you and keep you.

Grad Highlight: Sophie Penya | Marketing

Sophie is staying right here at ACU after graduation, joining the advancement division as the Advancement Communications Coordinator - a perfect fit for someone who clearly loves this place. Her favorite memory from her time at ACU is attending Leadership Summit, where she found herself growing and learning in an environment she describes as both beautiful and unlike anything else.

Her advice to freshmen is personal and practical: "Go to office hours, get to know your professors, and build a relationship with them. They give wonderful life advice and they become some of your biggest supporters!"

Congratulations, Sophie! May God bless you and keep you.

Grad Highlight: Beau Barnett | Management

Beau is heading to Texas Tech's School of Law after graduation, carrying with him lessons that go well beyond the classroom. His most meaningful memory from his time at ACU was attending Leadership Summit, specifically, the impact of seeing fellow Christians who had found success not in spite of their faith, but through it, living out their calling in the world of business.

His advice to freshmen is thoughtful and convicting: "Let the word shape your priorities, and let your schedule show you what you truly value."

Congratulations, Beau! May God bless you and keep you.

"Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything that I’ve commanded you. Look, I myself will be with you every day until the end of this present age." Matthew 28:19-20

Since commencement several weeks ago we asked: what are you called to? Today the answer gets lived out. Go into your workplace, community, your classes, your relationships. You were made for this and made to share the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ everywhere you go!

Grad Highlight: Emily Batchelor | Finance

Emily is heading to Dallas after graduation to work in corporate strategy at Oncor, an exciting opportunity that reflects the hard work and intentionality she brought to her time at ACU. One of her most cherished memories is studying abroad in Oxford with COBA during her sophomore year. She's quick to credit the professors on that trip, saying their excellence in the classroom made an already incredible experience even better.

Her advice to freshmen is grounded, honest, and points to something deeper than a résumé: "Work hard but still know where your identity is found. It is not found in your grade point average or how many things you are involved in, but rather it is found in Jesus Christ!"

Congratulations, Emily! May God bless you and keep you.

Grad Highlight: Shane Heflin | Finance & Accounting

Shane is heading to Fort Worth after graduation to join WPWealth as an Associate Wealth Advisor, a strong start to a career he's been intentionally building. One of the experiences that shaped him most along the way was studying abroad in Leipzig, Germany, during the fall of his sophomore year. Traveling alongside some of his closest friends, he found himself stretched in ways he didn't expect, deepening his faith, broadening his worldview, and witnessing firsthand how God is at work through His Church around the globe. He calls it one of the most transformative parts of his time at ACU.

His advice to freshmen is strategic, relational, and forward-thinking: "Invest early in your network, experiences, and growing your skillset. Surround yourself with people who challenge and inspire you, and pursue opportunities that stretch you. The habits and relationships you build in college will shape your career and your life long after graduation."

Congratulations, Shane! May God bless you and keep you.

Grad Highlight: Elianna Kincheloe | Marketing & Management, Minor in Entrepreneurship

Elianna is closing one chapter and opening several at once. After a gap summer of travel, she'll be relocating to DFW to pursue a career in commercial real estate while building her next business venture. Her favorite memory from her time at ACU takes her back to Ghana, where a trip with COBA became one of the most formative experiences of her life. Traveling alongside Dean Mike Willoughby, Dr. David Perkins, and Dr. Phil Vardiman made it even more meaningful, and she says it played a significant role in shaping her future goals and deepening her desire to use business as a vehicle for serving others and creating lasting impact.

Her advice to freshmen is bold, layered, and hard-won: "Say yes before you feel ready. You'll figure it out as you go. Take initiative, get involved, and don't wait for opportunities - create them. Some of the most impactful parts of my time at ACU came from building genuine relationships with my professors and peers. No matter what, remember to stay true to yourself, but never get comfortable. Growth is where everything changes."

Congratulations, Elianna! May God bless you and keep you.

Grad Highlight: Ford Moyle | Marketing

Ford is setting his sights on the insurance industry after graduation, ready to build on the foundation he's laid at ACU. When asked about his favorite memories from COBA, he keeps it simple - it's the friends he made and the moments they shared together. Sometimes that's all the answer you need.

His advice to freshmen is punchy, timeless, and delivered with the confidence of someone who lived it: "Remember to have fun, it goes by fast. Play hard, but work harder."

Congratulations, Ford! May God bless you and keep you.

Grad Highlight: Ashley Beckner | Marketing

Ashley is heading to Fort Worth after graduation to begin her career in marketing and she's taking with her some meaningful memories from her time at ACU. Leadership Summit stands out as a favorite, where she soaked in wisdom from incredible speakers and found herself in the kind of deep, honest conversations that only happen when you're surrounded by the right people, both old friends and new.

Her advice to freshmen is simple, countercultural, and exactly what busy students need to hear: "At ACU it is very common to have a busy schedule. Be intentional about filling your cup and not just your schedule."

Congratulations, Ashley! May God bless you and keep you.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

You don't have to have your 5-year plan figured out. You don't even need the next step. Just the next obedient step. Lean in to His wisdom, not on your own understanding.