The 48th Fort Worth Business Hall of Fame event honored Paul Dorman for his induction to the Business Hall of Fame and Stephanie Varuska as the recipient of the Thomas H. Law Scholarship.‌

Dorman was chosen to be inducted into the Business ‌Hall of Fame as the 2017 Fort Worth Business Executive of the Year because of his achievements in the business industry and his contributions to the Fort Worth community. His company, DFB Pharmaceuticals, a Fort Worth-based holding company, currently focuses on the development of patented nanoparticle technology, aiming at transforming systematic chemotherapy.

Varuska, on a smaller scale, possessed a similar record of high achievement to Dorman. Her demonstration of leadership and high GPA awarded her the Thomas H. Law Scholarship.

‌Without the Business Hall of Fame event, students like Varuska, would not have the opportunity to receive this scholarship. The event is both a celebration and a philanthropic event, its proceeds fund the Thomas H. Law Scholarship.

Thanks to Dorman’s generosity, Varuska was not the only Wesleyan student to attend the event. Dorman sponsored the seats of twenty business students.

Jazmine Ahumada, a senior double major in management and general business, appreciated the opportunity to learn from an influencer like Dorman.

“I remember he [Dorman] said, ‘ask yourself whether you are going 60 miles per hour or if the train is going 60 miles per hour and you're just standing still?’” Ahumada said, “He encouraged us [the students] to move forward in life and find [our] pace.”

A message that will stay with her, Ahumada said.

Anthony Phillip Giarraputo, a junior management and finance major, acknowledges the dedication Dr. Hector Quintanilla and the School of Business Administration have to business students.

“This event provided us [Wesleyan students] exposure to many individuals highly involved in the Fort Worth community,” Giarraputo said, “Their stories demonstrated many things we all hope to strive for after graduation.”

Dr. Quintanilla understands that the business executives chosen to join the Business Hall of Fame do not participate in the event for recognition, it’s because they value education. 

“A big part of the reason why these honorees participate in the event is because they value education and want to make a contribution to education,” Dr. Quintanilla said.

This is the third year an inducted honoree has sponsored seats for Wesleyan students and it’s the third year students are given the opportunity to learn from local Fort Worth business leaders.

To watch the event, click here.