Mercer University December 2024 graduate Michael Waldrop was recently recognized as the Stetson-Hatcher School of Business 2025 International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) Westin Scholar.

The annual Westin Scholar Awards were created by IAPP to support students who are identified as future leaders in the field. Mercer is one of the only business schools in the world participating in the program.

Waldrop is from Auburn, Alabama, and graduated in December 2024 with a Master of Accountancy. He is the fourth Mercer student to receive the IAPP award and was selected by Jordan “Jody” M. Blanke, Ernest L. Baskin, Jr. Distinguished Professor of Computer Science and Law in the School of Business.

“Receiving this award was a pleasant surprise,” said Waldrop. “I am grateful to have received it and appreciative of Professor Blanke for nominating me. I further appreciate Professor Blanke’s engaging content and teaching style. He made it easy to be engaged in the class.”

This year, Blanke received the University’s Joe and Jean Hendricks Excellence in Teaching Award and has been at Mercer for 40 years, teaching a wide variety of graduate and undergraduate courses in computer science, law and ethics.

“(Waldrop) is absolutely deserving of this award,” Blanke said. “I hope he has the opportunity to use his skills in the privacy arena.”

As a Westin Scholar, Waldrop will receive a $1,000 cash award, two years of membership in IAPP, three complimentary exams for IAPP certifications and unlimited access to virtual training for all IAPP certification programs.