J ason Silvey, senior management major, is married with two children and has 20 years of work experience—he’s also been selected as the Outstanding Management Major for the College of Business (COB).

This title is bestowed on a graduating management senior who demonstrates exemplary performance and involvement. The selected student represents their department at the COB annual awards banquet, Atkinson Honors.

“I’m really excited and still in awe that I won outstanding management major, because I’ve seen quite a few people I thought were more deserving,” Silvey said. “I am honored that I was able to leave a mark on enough people that I was elected.”

His journey into higher education began in 1994, when Magnolia Ballroom was the nave of a church. A few years later, that trajectory was cut short when Silvey withdrew.

In the following 20 years, he worked in the metals, recycling and scrap industry, where he drove sales, business development and manufacturing for European companies. 

He’d always wanted to go back to school, and when he was laid off during the pandemic it became imperative. By this point, Silvey already had a family and lived in the North Atlanta area. 

But the 99-mile, one-way commute didn’t stop him. And despite his unique obstacles, Silvey never faltered in his studies.

“We knew there’d be some sacrifice on my part, but my wife and kids have been supportive the entire way,” Silvey said. “Even with the experience and success that I’ve had, having that piece of paper and knowledge that comes with a degree goes a long way in getting you a few steps ahead of anyone else.”

He would say he didn’t accomplish this alone, though. 

“The professors I’ve taken have all been great,” Silvey said. “I’ve been excited about the classes I’ve had and the professors I’ve had because I feel like that’s been worth more than if I took all the same classes at a different school.”

Silvey stood out to his professors because he showed up early to lectures and consistently performed at the top of the class. In their nominations of him, his professors described him as diligent, outgoing and polite, all while actively participating in discussion.

“Jason has not only been great at teaching his professors, but he is more than happy to share his wealth of experience with students,” said Aric Wilhau, assistant professor of management. “He’s an ideal student. He will always have an answer. And when I arrive at 8 a.m. classes, I know he’ll be sitting there studying.”

Silvey has two more classes before he graduates in the summer, but he will walk with this year’s spring graduates. He was hired by an Austrian metal company in April, and he’ll take what he’s learned with him.

“I’m still kind of in shock,” he said. “My first time in school, I wasn’t known as being studious. To receive any kind of award is still a foreign feeling. It feels good, and I’m honored that I was chosen.”