GSBC hosted a record-setting 72nd Annual School Session on the University of Colorado Boulder campus July 16-28, 2023. Approximately 600 industry professionals, including students, faculty and alumni, were hosted over two weeks, where the school showcased its ongoing commitment to building community bank leaders through education, innovation and connection.

Record-Setting Attendance

GSBC’s attendance record of 501 students on campus coincides with the school’s third consecutive sellout session, achieved this year at a record pace. Nearly 190 new students comprised the first- and second-year direct populations that joined the three-class student body.

Concurrent with the two-week session, GSBC hosted an alumni-exclusive leadership development opportunity in partnership with CU Boulder’s Leeds School of Business. The Community Bankers Summit featuring the Leeds Certificate in Executive Leadership is a continuing education opportunity that builds on the leadership concepts taught in GSBC’s flagship program. Alumni reconnect with their GSBC experience by attending a one-day banking program led by banking experts and two-days of advanced leadership courses led by Leeds faculty.

Current Focus: Educate. Innovate. Connect.

Students of the session benefitted from several new and expanded initiatives under the theme of the school’s current three-year strategic plan, including a thriving new-student peer group program, a tech-focused signals group project option, the new Committed to Lead micro-credential and a series of three third-year readiness courses under an umbrella called GSBCx.

Introducing the GSBC Class of 2023

Completing their final year at GSBC was a group of 166 banking professionals representing 31 states across the nation. The school awarded these individuals with its prestigious diploma in banking on July 27, 2023, during a ceremony in Boulder.

GSBC recognized 17 of the 166 students with Honors, awarded to those who graduated in the top 10 percent of their class based on their intersession project performance. They include:

  • Tatiana Andronova, Zions Bankcorporation (Denver, CO)
  • Robin Dick, First National Bank of America (East Lansing, MI)
  • Clinton Duncan, Oklahoma Banking Department (Oklahoma City, OK)
  • Erica Larson, Bank Midwest (Fairmont, MN)
  • David Ludwick, FDIC (Tempe, AZ)
  • Kenton Owens, Quail Creek Bank (Oklahoma City, OK)
  • Jessica Parks, First National Bank of America (East Lansing, MI)
  • Jacob Parsons, Nebraska State Bank & Trust Co. (Broken Bow, NE)
  • Matthew Rathjen, Generations Bank (Exeter, NE)
  • Bryan Reaves, City Bank (Lubbock, TX)
  • Edward Riendeau, Signature Bank of Arkansas (Fayetteville, AR)
  • Allison Rothermel, Colorado Division of Banking (Denver, CO)
  • Neil Rutter, First State Bank & Trust (Tonganoxie, KS)
  • Ashlee Smith, F&M Bank (Mountain Home, AR)
  • Tyler Spradlin, First Pryority Bank (Tulsa, OK)
  • Rachael Thompson, Colorado Division of Banking (Denver, CO)
  • Brad Woodard, Iowa Savings Bank (Coon Rapids, IA)

About the Diploma

Graduates receive their diploma after successfully completing two weeks of classroom training for three consecutive years, classes of which focus on 1) Financial management and strategy, 2) Innovation and engagement, 3) Leadership and culture and 4) Lending. The students also completed six intersession projects and ended their curriculum at GSBC with an extensive bank management simulation course.

GSBC’s 73rd Annual School Session is scheduled for July 14-26, 2024. Pre-enrollment is open for 2024; visit www.GSBColorado.org for details.