Jack Hutchinson is the Monte Ahuja College of Business Fall 2022 Valedictorian. Jack is a non-traditional student who decided to become a Finance major while helping his friends with their finances while they were stationed in rural Japan with the U.S. Navy. Jack is pursuing a career in finance, where he will put his analytical and teaching skills to good use.

Jack grew up in a household with parents that taught him the value of hard work, perseverance and to take pride in what is yours. These values helped shape him into the person he is today. In addition to exemplary parents, Jack has three sisters that continue to impress him with their various accomplishments.

Cleveland State was the clear choice for Jack because it felt natural and familiar. Jack has family that are alumni and he went to high school at St. Ignatius, where long winter days of swimming practices at the CSU Rec Center helped instill time management skills as he balanced sports with academics.

“Cleveland State is very appealing to someone with a busy schedule,” Jack said. “Being able to adjust my school schedule to accommodate the rest of my commitments was very helpful. I was able to work full-time during my last two semesters while finishing my degree in a reasonable timeframe."

Jack completed an internship in the Summer of 2022 with the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Defense. His internship was extended through the Fall 2022 semester.

In his free time, Jack enjoys being outdoors and spends some afternoons volunteering in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. He is also actively renovating an old home with the help of his friends; his dad, a skilled handyman and firefighter on Cleveland's Engine 22 and his mom, who has a knack for interior design. 

Jack holds an Associate Degree from the University of Maryland Global Campus. He served in the U.S. Navy for five years and was stationed on the USS Harpers Ferry.