Janalynne Gius, of Southington, was one of two recipients of the Outstanding Business Alumni Award at Quinnipiac University’s Business Leader Hall Fame dinner held Nov. 9 at the New Haven Lawn Club.

Gius serves as the assistant vice president of strategic planning and initiatives at Virtus Investment Partners in Hartford. She has more than 15 years of experience in the financial services industry, including positions in product development, marketing, sales support and client service for retail and institutional markets.

Each year, the School of Business gives out its Outstanding Business Alumni Award to recognize alumni for their engagement in the lives of current students, their help with internship placements and their service as mentors to Quinnipiac students. Gius graduated summa cum laude from Quinnipiac with a finance degree before earning an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

 “It was an honor to be among the recipients at the award dinner,” Gius said. “The school has experienced such tremendous growth since I graduated from increased enrollment and a growing endowment to the new programs being offered. I feel great pride to be associated with such a successful organization.”

The event also honored Peyton R. Patterson, chairperson, president and chief executive officer of NewAlliance Bank, who became the latest honoree inducted into the Quinnipiac University School of Business Leader Hall of Fame. Approximately 200 guests attended.

The Business Leader Hall of Fame recognizes outstanding business people who have made significant contributions to their businesses and industries through leadership. The program has educated and motivated students by presenting honorees, who can share their experiences, to discuss their careers and offer advice. All proceeds from the event benefited the School of Business’ Endowed Scholarship Fund. Scholarships from this fund are awarded to full-time School of Business junior and senior students with demonstrated financial need.

Quinnipiac is a private, coeducational, nonsectarian institution located in Hamden. The university enrolls 5,900 full-time undergraduate and more than 2,000 graduate students in 52 undergraduate and more than 20 graduate programs of study in its School of Business, School of Communications, School of Education, School of Health Sciences, School of Law, and College of Arts and Sciences.