Lerner College recognizes distinguished alumni

Three distinguished alumni have received the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics’ 2007 Awards of Excellence, which are presented annually during Homecoming weekend.

This year’s honorees are John R. Collins, BE ’80, who graduated from UD in business administration; Michael W. Shone, BE ’77 (accounting), ’93M (economics); and Kenneth C. Whitney, BE ’80 (accounting).

The awards recognize alumni of the college who have exhibited outstanding professional accomplishments, contributions to their community and a commitment to excellence.

Collins is the chief financial officer, chief risk officer and senior vice president of Constellation Energy, the nation’s leading supplier of competitive electricity and a Fortune 200 company based in Baltimore. An active member of the Lerner College Advisory Board, Collins also holds a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Pittsburgh.

Shone is president and founder of the Peirce Park Group, an investment management consulting company based in West Chester, Pa., and serving a wide range of regional and global clients. He is recognized nationally for his expertise in asset liability modeling.

Whitney is the senior managing director for the Blackstone Group, one of the world’s largest private equity firms, based in New York City with offices around the world. He has established and endowed the Whitney Family Scholarship, which is awarded annually to out-of-state freshmen in the Lerner College.