When Gail Bruhnsen, ’06, wrote a paper for one of her bachelor of business administration classes she never thought she would win an award for it. But that’s exactly what happened. Bruhnsen’s paper, titled “The Effect of Illegal Immigration from Mexico on the U.S. Economy and What Measures Can be Taken to Minimize the Effect,” won her the first ever Wall Street Journal – Student Achievement Award from the Graduate and Professional Studies (GPS) Program.

“(Gail Bruhnsen’s) paper is an outstanding example of what the Project Integration research paper should look like,” said Dr. Gene Steadman, when Bruhnsen was presented with the award. “I read it in detail and concluded that her paper was one of the best I’ve ever read.”

This is the first year the GPS Program has given the award. The Wall Street Journal distributes the award based on the recommendation of faculty at schools where the newspaper is used in classes.

As winner of the award, Bruhnsen received a congratulatory letter from The Wall Street Journal, a Wall Street Journal Student Achievement Award medallion and a year’s subscription to the paper.

“I was very surprised and honored to have been selected as the recipient of the award,” Bruhnsen said.

Bruhnsen chose to attend Averett because the format of the GPS Program “is better for a working adult with a family.”

“Averett prepared me by offering me the opportunity to expand my knowledge and by giving me the confidence needed to succeed,” Bruhnsen said. “The small class size allowed students to contribute to the classroom activities, which increases communication skills.”

Bruhnsen works for Campbell County Schools in their payroll department.

“I plan to build upon my business and HR knowledge to advance into a position that will offer more of a challenge. I know that my Averett education will lead me in this direction.”

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