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“My overriding aim in supporting Isenberg is to build and strengthen the community, especially among students,” says Isenberg finance grad Brian Tino ’11. To that end, Brian has partnered with former Isenberg undergraduate dean Carol Barr to create the Barr/Tino Leadership Scholarship. The award recognizes exceptional student leadership at Isenberg. In making that commitment, Brian found a role model in UMass Amherst alumnus Peter Bloom ’78. “I was one of the first three recipients of Peter’s scholarship, which honored our track & cross country coach, Kenneth O’Brien,” Brian recalls. 

“Peter’s objective was always more than giving back his money,” adds Brian, who excelled as captain of UMass Amherst’s track team. “Peter was an active mentor and presence in the lives of his scholarship recipients. And he brought them closer together to create a community.”

“As an Isenberg student, I felt a similar sense of community,” Brian continues.  “It was a feeling that I will never forget.” After graduation, Brian joined the firm InVisionApp, Inc., which offers business customers a digital design platform for their products. A Strategic Account Executive, Brian helps Fortune 500 clients, including Oracle, JPMorgan Chase, and WPP, streamline their creative processes.

The Isenberg graduate’s commitment to Isenberg has never waned. A frequent participant in the school’s annual Marketing Club Networking Night, he has hired many students as summer interns. He has also hosted Isenberg’s Senior Trivia Night, which supports the senior-class gift to the school. “After working for a few years after graduation, I was ready to give back financially,” Brian recalls. “So I spoke with Carol Barr about teaming up on a joint scholarship. While undergraduate dean, Carol was passionate about mentorships, scholarships, and community. Initially, I didn’t want my name attached to the scholarship, but Carol insisted. She reminded me that it would send a message to other young alumni—about investing in Isenberg and its students, and that the success of creating a community was in bringing together students, faculty, and alumni. As usual, Carol was right.”