This summary provides the key points from the document in 3 sentences: The study found that minority entrepreneurs face discrimination when seeking small business loans, as they are treated differently than white counterparts with identical qualifications. While discrimination in other areas like housing and employment has been well documented, the study shows minorities also face discrimination in the business marketplace when seeking loans. The co-author of the study indicated that while America sees itself as a land of opportunity, the study reveals that discrimination is still preventing the American dream for minorities seeking small business loans.

1. School News
small-business
loans are treated
differently than
their white coun-
terparts, despite
having identical
qualifications on
paper.
While discrimi-
nation in housing, employment, and educa-
tion is well documented, the study shows
that minorities also face discrimination in
the marketplace.
“There is a general belief among Ameri-
cans that we’re the land of opportunity
and that anyone can pull themselves up
by their bootstraps,” says study coauthor
Glenn Christensen, an associate profes-
sor of marketing at BYU. “It is a land of
deal itself,” Wilks says. “And then to
win the finals round without even being
there is just amazing. We owe thanks to
our great faculty and great students. We
couldn’t have asked for a better team to
represent us.”
FACULTY NEWS
Minority Entrepreneurs
Face Discrimination When
Seeking Loans
A disheartening new study coauthored
by a Marriott School professor reveals
that discrimination is still tainting the
American dream for minorities.
The three-part research article, which
appeared online in the Journal of Consumer
Research, found that minorities seeking
team submitted a one-shot video presen-
tation instead of participating live, thanks
to an accommodation from the IMA.
“The IMA is to be commended—the
people there were gracious through the
entire process,” Smith says. “There was
significant deliberation about how to best
accommodate our students despite their
decision not to participate on Sunday.”
Jeff Wilks, director of the BYU School
of Accountancy, described how the stu-
dents were up-front with the IMA about
not attending the final round and were
willing to do whatever else it took to par-
ticipate. Wilks is proud to see his faculty
and students excel through their own
volition in such a prestigious competition.
“For our school to participate and to
be invited to the finals round is a big
The Paul Morris Marriott Business
Management Scholarship was
awarded to seven business manage-
ment undergraduates who have
demonstrated a strong work ethic
and a commitment to community
service experience.
“We continue to be amazed at the
high caliber of students we are able
to recognize for their scholastic per-
formance and selfless service to both
their church and community,” says
Randall C. Smith, managing director
of the Marriott School undergradu-
ate programs office. “These students
truly fulfill the mission of the Mar-
riott School as leaders in education,
scholarship, and service.”
The 2014 scholarship recipients are Craig Jones, a senior from Midland, Michigan; Scott Olson, a senior from Mora, Min-
nesota; Matt Relei, a senior from Sonora, California; Bryce Shurtliff, a senior from Idaho Falls, Idaho; Ryan Smith, a junior
from Sandy, Utah; Ben Solari, a senior from Lincoln, California; and Eric Tran, a junior from Riverside, California.
“My wife and I had our first child in October,” Olson explains. “There is no way that I could have made it through this year
and worked enough to cover what this scholarship provides me. It has given me the opportunity to be successful in school
and start my future off on the right foot.”
Rebecca Marriott Champion founded the Paul Morris Marriott Business Management Scholarship in 2010 to honor her
father, a businessman who helped his brother establish what became the Marriott Corporation. Through sacrifice and
creativity, Marriott contributed to creating a successful business during the Great Depression, building a legacy that Cham-
pion is sharing with students who show similar dedication.
Marriott Scholarship Awarded to
Seven Undergraduates
From left: Craig Jones, Eric Tran, Ben Solari, Matt Relei, and Ryan Smith. Not pictured: Scott Olson
and Bryce Shurtliff.
Glenn Christensen
39winter 2015