Eastern Kentucky University senior Landon New, of Franklinton, Kentucky, recently received the National Business Education Association (NBEA) Award of Merit for outstanding achievement in business education, representing the Commonwealth.
The NBEA Professional Awards Program recognizes those who meet high academic standards. New, a business and marketing education major, was nominated for the award by his faculty adviser, Dr. Faridah Awang.
A graduate of 2014 Henry County High School, where he was a standout student-athlete, New boasts a 3.82 GPA. Earlier this semester, he was selected as an Outstanding Senior in Business and Marketing Education. In addition to his exemplary coursework, he is involved in the Parental and Community Involvement Committee and Curriculum Committee for Business and Marketing. He currently serves as an assistant assessment coordinator at Kentucky Tech Center Madison County.
During his college tenure, New has often worked two to three jobs while also a full-time student, and he credits all the hard work and busy schedule for helping to make him the person that he is today.
New said he has been able to endure several changes in his life because of his flexibility. “Being willing to change is one of the most important characteristics a person can have,” he said. “Our environment is always evolving, so you have to be able to change with the times.”
New wants to be remembered as “someone who invested in people above anything else. I really enjoy working with young people, whether in sports or just in general, so I would like to make a mark with the youth in my community.” He advised other students to “make sure that you take advantage of the outside opportunities that EKU offers, because it will really set you up for success when you’re ready to graduate. In general, just enjoy your time at EKU because it goes fast.”
New currently works as a marketing associate for Scott’s Miracle Grow and helps coach the high school girls’ basketball team at Model Laboratory School. Outside of work, he enjoys fishing, watching Louisville sports, and anything else outdoors.
If he had only one career option, New said he would probably apply to Tesla’s Energy Division. “The things they are trying to do with the energy sector all over the world is a great initiative and is really interesting to me. I think it is something I could be passionate about.”