Accounting Awards Booklet 2023

THE ACCOUNTING AND BUSINESS INFORMATION SYSTEMS

39th ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONY

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THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2023

brown ballroom | bone student center

CEREMONY PROGRAM

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WELCOME

Rachel Birkey Awards Committee Chairperson

DINNER

INTRODUCTIONS

Rachel Birkey

OPENING COMMENTS

Deborah Seifert Chairperson, Department of Accounting

PRESENTATION OF STUDENT AWARDS

ANNUAL AWARDS ACCOUNTING FIRM DONORS

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41st ANNUAL CLIFTONLARSONALLEN LLP AWARD

Anthony Bedolli

17th ANNUAL COUNTRY FINANCIAL AWARD

Joseph Appelhans

Sean Collins

Emma Gregory

Malik Khatib

Joe McLaughlin

Toby Plattner

Allison Riggs

Paige Sauder

Jack Skaggs

Pladi Tuzuemo

Riley Walker

43rd ANNUAL DUNBAR, BREITWEISER & CO., LLP AWARD

Tyrah Sexton

Natalie Starkey

17th ANNUAL ENTERPRISE RENT-A-CAR AWARD

Jessica Dziadkowiec

22nd ANNUAL FORVIS AWARD

Brandon Whetsell

51st ANNUAL

GLENN WEBB EDUCATION FUND GROWMARK FOUNDATION AWARD

Riley Walker

22nd ANNUAL

MCK MARY ANN WEBB SCHOLARSHIP

Cade Walder

14th ANNUAL MILLER COOPER & COMPANY AWARD

Colton Doll

Carson Forbes

24th ANNUAL PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS AWARD

Liam Rudin

17th ANNUAL RSM AWARD

Brittney Oakley

Joi Strickland

Katie Birkland

Natalie Wood

Ross Lochbaum

2nd ANNUAL SIKICH LLP ACCOUNTING AND BIS DIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP

Emma Gregory

Martin Jose

Jessica Laughlin

16th ANNUAL STATE FARM AWARD

Alexa Gonzalez

Tyson Kralis

Gracie O’Brien

Andy Trower

Aaron Wubbena

4th ANNUAL TIGHE, KRESS & ORR, PC AWARD

Ashley Heagy

7th ANNUAL BRADLEY BENSON MEMORIAL ISACA-ILLINI CHAPTER BIS SCHOLARSHIP

Malik Khatib

3rd ANNUAL BUSINESS INFORMATION SYSTEMS SCHOLARSHIP

Malik Khatib

11th ANNUAL CAROLINE KERN CRAIG ENDOWED FUND SCHOLARSHIP

Alyssa Hadding

Jessica Laughlin

15th ANNUAL DAVID CURRIE CPA SCHOLARSHIP

Joi Strickland

3rd ANNUAL BRAD DAWSON MEMORIAL FUND SCHOLARSHIP

Rachel Hodson

Michael Sikorski

7th ANNUAL DUANE AND DIANA DEBS SCHOLARSHIP

Colton Doll

4th ANNUAL DIVERSITY EXCELLENCE ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP

Alison Ogunmokun

12th ANNUAL EOVALDI FAMILY ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP

Adam Kirch

Timothy Mayer

7th ANNUAL MIKE AND KAREN ESSINGTON BIS SCHOLARSHIP

Toby Plattner

Pladi Tuzuemo

5th ANNUAL JACALYN FERREE ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP IN ACCOUNTING

Grace Johnson

12th ANNUAL FLESSNER FAMILY ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP HONORING DR. GERRY MCKEAN

Justin Gibbs

Malik Khatib

Joe McLaughlin

Anthony Miritello

Connor Rowe

Paige Sauder

Cole Stremlau

Brandon Whetsell

3rd ANNUAL FOLTZ FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP

Justin Huls

Mary Robertson

Isaac Robinson

2nd ANNUAL

MARY GRAFFY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Tyrah Sexton

34th ANNUAL ACCOUNTING ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

JAMES A. HALLAM SCHOLARSHIP

Jason Pike

6th ANNUAL JIM & JEANETTE HALLAM CPA CANDIDATE SCHOLARSHIP

Timothy Mayer

2nd ANNUAL DOUGLAS W. HART ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP

Allison Riggs

3rd ANNUAL INDUSTRIAL ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP

Jack Skaggs

9th ANNUAL LAFRENCE FAMILY ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP

Anh Nguyen

Alison Ogunmokun

6th ANNUAL MCMULLEN FAMILY FIRST GENERATION STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP

Rachel Hodson

4th ANNUAL ERIC MICKEL SCHOLARSHIP FOR ACCOUNTING

Riley Walker

4th ANNUAL

KENNETH AND MARGARET OVERHOLT SCHOLARSHIP FOR ACCOUNTING

Michael Sikorski

6th ANNUAL

JOHN AND KATHY RENNICK ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP

Sam Kahovec

Jade Schierer-Jablonski

26th ANNUAL

W. MAX REXROAD SCHOLARSHIP

Katie Birkland

Madison Mennenga

Natalie Wood

15th ANNUAL JAMES H. SCHLESSER ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP

Landon Cook

19th ANNUAL HERBERT C. SIEG ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP

Mary Farmer

Ross Lochbaum

Jude Rayburn

2nd ANNUAL KELLEY AND JAMES SMITH ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP

Mary Robertson

25th ANNUAL

NIMS ASSOCIATES BILL SPANIOL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Veronica Kiernia

Angelo Whitley

2nd ANNUAL TANYI FAMILY ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP

Caren Chumba

2nd ANNUAL PIERRE VAN D’HELSEN SCHOLARSHIP

Joi Strickland

2023 WILLIAM TOWNES MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Isaac Robinson

2nd ANNUAL VANDERMYDE FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP

Carson Forbes

16th ANNUAL KATE KING WU & HORACE C. WU SCHOLARSHIP

Rachel Hodson

Brittney Oakley

Tyrah Sexton

7th ANNUAL ZARCONE FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP

Ashley Heagy

Aaron Heppner

Monserrat Lara

Anh Nguyen

Michael Sikorski

Natalie Starkey

InstItute oF manaGement accountants

cma ProGram scHolarsHIP

Victoria Chaidez

Michael Fiala

Iris Gobin

Brandi Tate

20th ANNUAL BECKER PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP

Mary Farmer

Alyssa Hadding

6th ANNUAL ROGER’S CPA REVIEW SCHOLARSHIP

Eli Rudin

1st ANNUAL DR. THOMAS SECOY CPA EXAM SCHOLARSHIP

Mary Farmer

Joi Strickland

11th ANNUAL STEVE MICHELS CPA REVIEW COURSE SCHOLARSHIP

Joi Strickland

3rd ANNUAL SURGENT CPA REVIEW SCHOLARSHIP

Whitney Boone

Jessica Dziadkowiec

Rian Jacquat

5th ANNUAL WILEY CPA EXCEL SCHOLARSHIP

Madelynne Griffith

2023

BUSINESS INFORMATION SYSTEMS ALUMNI

OUTSTANDING UNDERGRADUATE BUSINESS INFORMATION SYSTEMS STUDENT AWARD

Brady King

2023

MARCOTTE FAMILY

OUTSTANDING UNDERGRADUATE ACCOUNTING STUDENT AWARD

Elise Dotterer

2023

MARCOTTE FAMILY

OUTSTANDING MASTER OF PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANCY AWARD

Emme Olson

2023

MARCOTTE FAMILY

OUTSTANDING MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ACCOUNTANCY AWARD

Eli Rudin

MULTI-YEAR AWARDS

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GARY AND HELEN ANETSBERGER SCHOLARSHIP

Jason Pike

Natalie Wood

Aaron Wubbena

WILLIAM A. FORTSCH ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP

Jacob Attieku

Brooke Covey

SEARS ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP

Mary Farmer

2022 AWARD RECIPIENT STUDENT BIOGRAPHIES

JOSEPH APPELHANS is a senior majoring in accounting and business information systems. He will be completing his MSA at Illinois State next year. He completed a Tax internship at KPMG this past summer and will be returning full-time after receiving his master’s degree and plans to begin taking the CPA exams this summer.

JACOB SELASIE ATTIEKU is currently pursuing his Master’s in accounting at Illinois State University. He earned his first degree and professional certification in Ghana before his master’s program. Jacob has recently had a successful winter tax internship with KPMG. He is involved in student activities on campus and has been serving as the SCREP Chair for National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) for a year. Jacob also attends UBF/ISF weekly event on campus, where they meet to discuss the gospel. He has plans of writing his CPA exams and he looks forward to starting this year. Jacob is working towards graduations in the 2023 fall semester.

ANTHONY BEDOLLI is a senior double majoring in accounting and finance. He is in his fifth year achieving 150 credit hours to sit for the CPA exam. He is currently working in the College of Business as a lab monitor as well as studying for his FAR exam which he plans on taking in May. He is aspiring to have the other 3 parts passed by the end of the year. By then he will be working full time for CliftonLarsonAllen starting in June 2023.

KATIE BIRKLAND is a junior majoring in accounting with a minor in economics. She is an active member of Student Accounting Society (SAS) where she networks with other professional accountants. Katie was also involved in Women in Business for three semesters where she held a leadership position as the Vice President of Finance. She looks forward to her second summer at Motorola Solutions where she will be interning in their Internal Audit Department and plans to sit for the CPA exam in the spring of 2024.

WHITNEY BOONE is a graduate student in the MSA program. She is a member of The National Society of Leadership and Success. Whitney completed a tax internship with CLA this spring and plans to sit provisionally for the CPA exam this summer.

VICTORIA CHAIDEZ transferred to Illinois State University as a junior from Joliet Junior College and is double majoring in accounting and finance with a minor in financial planning. She was recently elected president of ISU’s Kappa Delta chapter of Beta Alpha Psi. She is an active member of Phi Beta Lambda Coed Business Fraternity and Accounting & Financial Women’s Alliance. Victoria works on campus as student accounting support for EMDH, as well as student office support for the Department of Management. She also works remotely as a tax intern for AVID Business Advisors. In her free time, she coaches color guard for her former high school, Minooka Community High School. This summer she plans to resume her studying for Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exam.

CAREN NYANGASI CHUMBA is a graduate student double majoring in accounting and applied economics – financial economics sequence. Caren is a member of the women in economics organization and recently requested to join NABA organization. She looks forward to completing an audit internship with CLA in summer of 2023. Additionally, she plans to graduate in august 2024 and sit provisionally for the CPA exam in summer 2024.

SEAN COLLINS is a junior majoring in accounting. Sean looks forward to completing an audit internship with Selden Fox in summer of 2023 and plans to sit provisionally for the CPA exam in fall of 2024 with hopes of a full-time job at that time.

LANDON COOK is a junior majoring in accounting. He is a transfer student from Illinois Central College and is enrolled in the BS/MPA program. He is also participating in an internship at CLA for the tax season. After he achieves his bachelor’s degree in the spring of 2024, he plans to sit for the CPA exam as he works towards his master’s degree.

BROOKE COVEY is a senior majoring in accounting. She is an active member in Zeta Tau Alpha, Women in Business, and Beta Gamma Sigma. She looks forward to completing an accounting internship with ADM in summer of 2023 and plans to sit provisionally for the CPA exam in December 2024.

COLTON DOLL is a junior majoring in accounting. He plans on sitting for the CPA exam after graduating in the spring 2024. He is looking forward to completing an audit internship with Miller Cooper in the summer of 2024.

ELISE DOTTERER is a senior majoring in accounting from Forrest, Illinois. She is a member of the Honors Program and has previously held officer positions in both Student Accounting Society and the Accounting & Financial Women’s Alliance. Elise has been working as an accounting intern at Nussbaum Transportation since December of 2021. After graduating in May, she plans to help manage her fiancé’s two small businesses.

JESSICA DZIADKOWIEC is a senior majoring in accounting. She is an active member of Pi Sigma Epsilon, Order of Omega, and Delta Zeta. She looks forward to working for CNA Insurance starting in June 2023. She is a first-generation college student who has worked hard to be where she is today and can’t wait for her future.

MARY FARMER is an accounting graduate student. She is an alumni member of the professional business fraternity known as Delta Sigma Pi and participates in the honors program. Mary recently served in the role of Vice President of Chapter Operations for Delta Sigma Pi. She looks forward to traveling to Ireland at the end of August for two weeks and is currently sitting provisionally for the CPA exam.

MICHAEL FIALA will graduate this May with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a minor in business analytics. He has been on Illinois State University’s Dean’s List for 4 of the 7 semesters he has been attending the university. Michael has had an internship/part-time job at CIT Trucks since March 2021. Last summer, he had the opportunity to get an internship in Dallas, Texas at Occidental Chemicals Corporation. Michael accepted a full-time offer and will be moving to Dallas at the beginning of July! While at ISU, he was a manager on the baseball team for a year. Michael was a member of Student Accounting Society (SAS) for two years as well.

CARSON FORBES is a senior majoring in accounting. He is currently doing a busy season tax internship at Miller Cooper & Co., Ltd. He looks forward to doing another internship next year as he studies for and sits provisionally for the CPA exam while finishing up his last year of school. He then will pursue full-time employment and plans on returning to school a few years later to get his MBA.

JUSTIN GIBBS is a junior majoring in business information systems. He is a former member and treasurer of a student organization Progression of Generations. He is currently working for Tech Solutions as End-Point Support in Julian Hall. Justin had his internship with Nissan North America in 2022 and is currently searching for new internships for summer of 2023

IRIS GOBIN is a highly educated graduate student with experience in business development, auditing, accounting, and retail. She will graduate Illinois State University with a certificate in Data Science and an MBA in December 2023. She holds a Master of Corporate Finance with Bachelor integrated from ESSCA School of Management in France. Additionally, she has participated in an exchange program at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. Iris works as a Graduate Research

and Teaching Assistant for the Management and Quantitative Methods department. With a passion for finance and a commitment to excellence, Iris looks forward to obtaining her CPA and pursuing a financial managerial position upon graduation.

ALEXA GONZALEZ is a senior accounting major with a minor in psychology. She is a member of Beta Alpha Psi (BAP) honors organization for accounting and business information systems majors, Beta Gamma Sigma honors organization for business majors, and Alpha Kappa Psi professional business fraternity. Currently, she serves on the executive board on Business Week and interning with RSM for the winter 2023 audit busy season. Alexa is looking forward to interning this summer at EY for technology risk consulting.

EMMA GREGORY is a junior majoring in financial accounting. She is an active member in both Women in Business and the Student Accounting Society (SAS). She looks forward to continuing her employment with Zumbahlen & Associates as an audit intern in the summer of 2023. After graduation she plans to pursue a master’s degree in accountancy through Illinois State University. Once she has completed her masters, she plans to sit for both the CPA and CMA exam.

ALYSSA HADDING is a senior majoring in accounting and has a minor in financial planning. On campus, she is a member of the Honor Program, the professional business fraternity, Alpha Kappa Psi, and the Honor Society - Beta Gamma Sigma. Alyssa is the current Vice President of Finance for AKPsi. She looks forward to completing an audit internship with Deloitte this upcoming summer. Alyssa also plans to sit provisionally for the CPA exam starting this summer, and will sit for the CFP exam upon graduation in Fall of 2023 from the BS/MPA program.

ASHLEY HEAGY is a senior majoring in accounting and will be entering the MPA program in the Fall 2023 semester. She currently serves as Treasurer of the Accounting and Financial Women’s Alliance (AFWA) and is a member of the Illinois State cross country and track and field teams. Ashley looks forward to continuing an internship with the FDIC this summer and plans to sit provisionally for the CPA exam in the spring of 2024.

AARON HEPPNER is a junior majoring in accounting. He works at the Julia N. Visor Center at Illinois State University as a lead tutor for business calculus. Aaron is looking forward to an internship with Miller Cooper & Co., Ltd in the summer of 2023 and plans to sit for the CPA exams in the summer of 2024.

RACHEL HODSON is in her final semester of the BS/ MPA Professional Accountancy program. Rachel has sustained a dedication to the university, during her 5 years attending ISU. She has partnered with her peers as a campus tour guide, Marketing Chairperson for Student Accounting Society, VP of Accounting and Financial Women’s Alliance, and Philanthropy Coordinator of the Beta Alpha Psi Honors Accounting Fraternity. Rachel also partnered with the Department of Accounting Chair, Dr. Seifert, to organize a Blockchain seminar, in which she presented to students and faculty. Off campus, she serves adolescents through her nonprofit educational foundation, Rachel’s H.E.A.R.T. Following graduation, Rachel will begin her Audit career at RSM US LLP. Rachel continues to represent the University and surrounding community as a 2022-2023 Robert G. Bone Scholar and the reigning Miss Normal IL in the Miss USA Pageant System.

JUSTIN HULS is a graduate student in the B.S./M.P.A. program. He is active in the Student Accounting Society (SAS). Currently, he is Studying for the CPA exam and is excited to begin at CLA in the Fall of 2023.

GRACE JOHNSON is a junior majoring in accounting. She is currently the president of Student Accounting Society and an active member of Women in Business. Grace also serves as the Data Analytics Chair for Phi Gamma Nu. She is looking forward to starting an audit internship in the spring of 2024 with KPMG.

MARTIN JOSE is a senior majoring in accounting. He is deciding if he will stay another year or two to complete his masters at Illinois State University and sit for the CPA after graduation. He is looking forward to accepting an offer of a tax internship this upcoming summer.

SAM KAHOVEC is a freshman majoring in accounting. He is an active member of the Acacia fraternity where he currently sits on the executive board holding the position of secretary. He plans to apply for the BS/MPA accounting program with plans to sit for the CPA exam after completion.

MALIK KHATIB is a junior majoring in business information systems. He is the president of the Business Information Systems Club as well as a project manager for the Innovation Consulting Community run through the Haage Innovation Institute in the College of Business. Malik currently works for the Illinois State University Foundation as a Philanthropy Engagement Ambassador. He is looking forward to completing an Internship this Summer with DHL as an SCM Operations Intern while continuing to build up his tech skills by pursuing certificates.

VERONICA KIERNIA is an undergraduate business information systems major. She serves on the executive board of Phi Beta Lambda as professional chair and serves as Trivia Night Coordinator for The Business Week 2023 team. Additionally, Veronica has been currently Interning for Deploy Solutions Group since May 2022 as Logistics Intern with a focus on Data Analysis.

BRADY KING is a senior majoring in business information systems. He currently serves as Vice President of Business Information Systems Club and is an active member of Beta Gamma Sigma and International Business Honor Society. Brady will be graduating in May and looks forward to starting his next chapter in life.

ADAM KIRCH is a junior majoring in accounting. Adam plans to do the volunteer income tax assistantship program in the spring of 2023. Adam is very gracious for the opportunity that Miller Cooper Co has given him to be a tax intern in the summer of 2023, and he looks forward to getting real world accounting experience. Since Adam is pursuing his master’s in professional accountancy, he will be graduating in May 2025, he plans to start studying for the CPA in the fall of 2024 and have his CPA by the fall of 2025.

TYSON KRALIS is a senior majoring in accounting. He is an active member of Beta Gamma Sigma and active president of Campus Outreach. He recently completed a tax internship with CLA during this spring 2023 semester and plans to sit provisionally for the CPA exam in summer of 2023.

MONSERRAT LARA is a senior majoring in accounting with a minor in Spanish. She is the current president of the Spanish Club. She is excited for her internship with Plante Moran in Summer 2023 and plans to continue with her master’s in accounting at Illinois State University. She also plans to sit for the CPA exam once she is done with her master’s degree which will be in May 2024.

JESSICA LAUGHLIN is a senior honors student majoring in accounting. She is an active member of Delta Sigma Pi, a coed professional business fraternity. She served as President of the international business honors society, Beta Gamma Sigma. She served as Vice President of the Accounting and Financial Women’s Alliance (AFWA) and is currently the Secretary. Furthermore, Jessica was a member of the Illinois State University cheer team. This semester, she is an intern at RSM in their Chicago office, where she is a part of their financial services and real estate team. Jessica plans to sit for the CPA exam upon her graduation from Illinois State University.

ROSS LOCHBAUM is a senior majoring in accounting. He was the former Vice President of the Student Accounting Society (SAS) and current Vice President of the Real Estate Investing club. He looks forward to beginning his career with KPMG in the fall of 2023.

TIMOTHY MAYER is a junior majoring in accounting. He has been a part of the student accounting society (SAS) on campus and has also participated in many other clubs and student organizations, such as Encounter Campus Ministry, Spikeball Club, and soccer. He completed an auditing internship in the summer of 2022 and recently accepted a return offer to work as an auditor for the same company again this next summer and potentially beyond. Tim plans to sit for the CPA in the fall of 2024, when he hopes to complete his BS/MPA.

JOE MCLAUGHLIN is a junior majoring in business information systems and accounting. He is working towards both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Illinois State University. He is a member of both the Business Information Systems club and the Roundnet club. When he isn’t in class, he is working for the Student Affairs I.T. Help Desk to gain valuable technical skills while at college.

MADISON MENNENGA is a junior double majoring in accounting and finance. She is an active member of the Honors Program and is currently studying abroad in Gold Coast, Australia. She just recently completed a seven-month internship with NASA as an Accounting and Budget Student Trainee. Her plan is to work as a forensic accountant for the United States Government with hopes of working internationally as well.

ANTHONY MIRITELLO is a senior majoring in accounting. He currently serves as the Professional Chair for Phi Gamma Nu, a business fraternity, and the Men’s Club Water Polo. He looks forward to completing a tax internship with KPMG in the summer of 2023 and plans to sit provisionally for the CPA exam in spring of 2024.

ANH NGUYEN is a graduate student majoring in accounting, MBA, and Financial Economics. She completed her master’s degree in Financial Economics in December 2022 and aims to complete her other two master’s degrees in May 2024. Due to her hard work, she received the Scott M. Elliott Graduate Scholarship 2022 from the Department of Economics and ISU for Outstanding Academic Achievement. She is now serving as a graduate teaching assistant in the Department of Accounting. She is thrilled to analyze macroeconomic conditions and apply accounting practices to assess business performance as well as to make vital financial decisions. She plans to sit provisionally for the CMA exam in the Spring of 2024.

BRITTNEY OAKLEY is a junior majoring in accounting with a minor in economics. She is very involved in the College of Business, being a member of the Student Accounting Society (SAS), Beta Alpha Psi (BAP), and Accounting and Finance Women’s Alliance (AFWA). She is a member of the ISU Track and Field team, competing as a long jumper. She also helps organize Fellowship of Christian Athletes and attends Encounter, a campus ministry. She looks forward to completing her accounting internship with ADM during the Summer of 2023. She then plans to complete an audit internship during Summer of 2024 and sit for the CPA exam spring of 2025.

GRACIE O’BRIEN is a senior accounting student in the BS/MPA program. She is currently Vice President of the Accounting and Financial Women’s Alliance (AFWA) and former membership coordinator for the Student Accounting Society (SAS). She has interned with CliftonLarsonAllen for two tax internships along with the YMCA of the Rockies where she worked with non-profit accounting. This summer, Gracie plans to intern with Miller Cooper in audit before starting the CPA exams.

ALISON OGUNMOKUN is a Master of Science in Accountancy student at Illinois State University. She is a member of NABA and has previously volunteered with the IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. She looks forward to completing a Financial Operations internship this Summer of 2023 with State Farm. She plans to sit for the CPA exam at the end of this year.

EMME OLSON is a BS/MPA graduate student at Illinois State graduating May 2023. She has completed a double major in accounting and finance with a minor in organizational leadership during undergrad at ISU. Emme has been on the ISU softball team for 5 years. Emme accepted a position with Clifton Larson Allen as an audit/tax associate and plans to sit for the CPA exam immediately following graduation.

JASON PIKE is a junior majoring in accounting. He previously attended Harper College in Palatine, IL, and transferred to Illinois State last semester. He is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and was a Harper Promise Program recipient. He looks forward to completing an audit internship with Johnson Lambert in the summer of 2023 and plans to sit provisionally for the CPA exam in the spring of 2024.

TOBY PLATTNER is a junior majoring in accounting. He is a hardworking student that values learning. Toby is an active member and coordinator of the Apostolic Christian Young Group. He has gained real world experience and insight through his current internship at Nussbaum Transportation. After completing the integrated BS/MPA program in spring of 2025, he plans to sit for the CPA exam.

JUDE RAYBURN is a graduate accounting student in the BS/MPA program. He also obtained a bachelor’s degree in management - organizational leadership from ISU. He has completed two internships at CliftonLarsonAllen, a management internship at Menards, and a tax internship at Miller Cooper & Co. He is currently a graduate teaching assistant in the accounting department and plans to begin sitting for the CPA exam this summer, graduating in December of 2023. Upon graduating, he will begin his career as an associate at CLA in January.

ALLY RIGGS is a 5th year accounting major. She is currently in her last semester as a graduate student in the BS/MPA Program and plans to graduate in May 2023. Ally is studying for the CPA exam and plans to sit provisionally for the FAR section in March. Her goal is to finish all portions of the exam before she starts at Plante Moran as a full-time tax staff in August.

MARY ROBERTSON is a graduate student finishing up her last semester in professional accounting. She is an active member of Beta Gamma Sigma, an honors society that recognizes the top 10% of undergraduate students and top 20% of graduate students. She has been involved with Beta Gamma Sigma since her induction in 2019. She loves connecting with every member and attending social, professional, and service events throughout the school year. She is also an active member of the Accounting and Financial Women’s Alliance (AFWA) where she attends meetings to help gain different professional and socials skills that will benefit her throughout her professional career as an accountant. Mary will be the first in her family to graduate from college which was very important to her. She has had 4 internship opportunities throughout her 5 years at Illinois State University in tax, audit, and collections. She is currently completing her last semester at Illinois State University and studying for the CPA exam planning to sit provisionally. She is looking forward to starting a fulltime job with Archer Daniels Midland upon graduation in May 2023.

ISAAC ROBINSON is a senior majoring in accounting. He is the current Vice President of The National Association of Black Accountants (NABA). Isaac is looking forward to graduating in May and completing a tax internship with Deloitte in the summer of 2023. He plans to sit for the CPA exam starting in the fall of 2023.

CONNOR ROWE is a senior majoring in business information systems. He is a member of the BIS club, and the Cybersecurity Club. Connor might pursue certifications offered by Illinois State University in Networking and Data Science

ELI RUDIN is a graduate student pursing a Master of Science in accounting, graduating in May 2023. He is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma and has worked in the Presidential and Trustee Events Office since he was a freshman. He is currently studying for the CPA exam and plans to have them completed by the end of the year.

LIAM RUDIN is a junior majoring in accounting and minoring in Spanish. He is a proud volunteer for the ALS Association and member of Beta Gamma Sigma. Liam currently works in the Office of the President at Illinois State University and connects with the Redbird community at presidential events as a Presidential Student Ambassador. He is planning to pursue his MSA at ISU after undergrad and plans to sit provisionally for the CPA exam in the spring of 2024.

PAIGE SAUDER is a senior in the BS/MPA program at Illinois State University. She will obtain her undergraduate, in the spring of 2023. In the meantime, she is taking graduate courses and will graduate with my masters in December 2023. Paige transferred from Illinois Central College to ISU after attending there 2 years. During the spring semester of my junior year, she completed a tax internship at CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA). Throughout her time there, Paige mostly prepared individual tax returns. She’s currently back working at CLA this semester. Currently, Paige is preparing entity returns which has been a great experience. This past summer she interned with Gorenz and Associates. Her internships have allowed Paige to explore both the tax and audit fields, which has been great exposure for her. After graduation, she plans to start studying for the CPA exam.

JADE SCHIERER is a freshman majoring in accounting and planning to add a minor in economics. She is currently on the College of Business Dean’s list for Fall 2022 semester. She is also currently employed with Illinois State University through Event Management, Dining, and Hospitality. She looks forward to completing her undergrad here at Illinois State along with a master’s in accountancy to prepare for the CPA exam.

TYRAH SEXTON is a graduate student from Odell, Illinois. She is an accounting major in the BS/MPA sequence and will be graduating in May 2023. Tyrah is an active member of the Accounting and Financial Women’s Alliance and currently serves as a National Director for the organization. She is also involved with Beta Alpha Psi, Beta Gamma Sigma, and VITA. Additionally, she is an alumna of Alpha Phi Omega Co-ed Service Fraternity and the Big Red Marching Machine. In October, Tyrah was recognized as a Robert G. Bone Scholar, which is the highest honor an Illinois State University undergraduate student can receive. This spring, Tyrah began working towards the CPA designation and plans to pursue the CMA designation next. She currently works at Dunbar, Breitweiser and Company, LLP as a Staff Accountant and will be continuing there full-time after graduation.

MICHAEL SIKORSKI is a graduate student majoring in the BS/MPA program set to graduate May 2023. He is an active member of the Beta Gamma Sigma Honors Society. Michael earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting May of 2022, graduating Magna Cum Laude. During his undergraduate years at Illinois State, Michael served as the Treasurer and Vice President for his social fraternity, Phi Gamma Delta. After completing an audit internship with KPMG in the spring of 2022, he looks forward to starting his role as an audit associate with the firm in the summer/fall of 2023. He is currently sitting provisionally for the CPA exam, with the hopes of completing all four sections before he starts working full-time.

JACK SKAGGS is a senior majoring in accounting and finance. He is actively involved in Student Accounting Society (SAS) and Illinois State Students in Finance. He currently works as an accounting intern at Caterpillar, and he is looking forward to sitting for the CPA exams after graduating this December.

NATALIE STARKEY is a senior in the accounting BS/ MPA program. She is proud to serve as the president of the Accounting & Financial Women’s Alliance. She is also an active member of Encounter Campus Ministry. She is currently completing a tax internship with Dunbar Breitweiser & Company, LLP and will intern with CliftonLarsonAllen in audit in the summer of 2023. She plans to begin sitting for the CPA exam in the summer of 2023.

COLE STREMLAU is a junior business information systems major, who transferred from Illinois Valley Community College. He is a member of the BIS club and currently works at Sam’s Club. He is searching for firms to intern with during the summer of 2023 and is excited to learn from real world experience.

JOI STRICKLAND is a senior majoring in accounting. She was the first-place winner of the 2022 Start-Up competition within the College of Business, and she is taking steps to form her business and develop the app she pitched. She is a co-founder of Business ACUMEN, a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, and a participant in NABA events. She looks forward to completing a tax internship with Hyatt in the Summer of 2023 and will begin the MAS program at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in the Fall of 2023.

BRANDI TATE is a senior majoring in accounting, earning her bachelor’s degree in financial accounting, and will be attending ISU for graduate school in the BS/MPA program with the accounting department. She is an active member of Beta Alpha Psi, also serving as President in the past and currently serving as event coordinator. She is an active member of Phi Sigma Pi, previously serving as the Initiate Advisor and currently participating as a general member. She has worked with Lynco Products in Milan, IL as an intern in the accounting department, Miller Cooper & Co. Ltd in Chicago, IL for a busy-season tax internship and will work with Archer-Daniels-Midland in Decatur, IL during summer 2023 as an Internal Audit intern. She currently plans to become dually certified by taking both the CPA and CMA exams following her time at Illinois State University.

ANDY TROWER is a senior majoring in accounting with a minor in flute performance. He is an active member of Beta Gamma Sigma. Andy is also the president of the Roundnet Club at Illinois State University. This summer, he is looking forward to completing a federal tax service internship with RSM. Andy plans to sit provisionally for the CPA exam in the summer of 2023.

PLADI TUZUEMO is a senior studying business information system with a focus on business analytics. He is passionate about utilizing his knowledge of business, technology, and information management to drive the design and development of innovative enterprise solutions. He is an active member of the Business Information Systems club, the Web Development club, and the National Association of Black Accountants.

CADE WALDER is a senior majoring in accounting. He is a member of the Student Accounting Society (SAS) and works part-time at a local bank as a teller. He also stays active in his local church, and volunteering for multiple local nonprofit organizations. He looks forward to completing a financial operations internship in summer of 2023 at State Farm Insurance.

RILEY WALKER is a 2nd semester Junior majoring in financial accounting. He is a member of the Student Accounting Society (SAS). Riley is actively seeking an accounting internship and enjoys working out and hanging with his friends during his free time. He is still undecided on sitting for the CPA.

BRANDON WHETSELL is a junior majoring in accounting, graduating in fall 2023. He currently works at the Karin L. Bone Study Center as a tutor. Brandon plans to sit for the CPA exam in spring of 2024.

ANGELO WHITLEY is a senior majoring in business information systems. He has been a member of the BIS Club for 3 years and interned at Paragon One summer of 2022. He plans to work as a system analyst in Chicago after graduation.

NATALIE WOOD is enrolled in the MSA program at Illinois State University. In May of 2022, she graduated with degrees in Financial Accounting and Finance. She is currently starting to study and sit for the CPA exam. After graduation, Natalie is excited to start her career off at RSM as an Audit Associate in the Fall.

AARON WUBBENA is a senior majoring in accounting. He is an active member of Beta Gamma Sigma. Aaron looks forward to completing a tax internship with Martin Hood in Champaign, Illinois. During the spring of 2023 he plans to sit provisionally for the CPA exam, while working on obtaining his master’s degree in the spring of 2024. •

Department Faculty and Staff would like to congratulate all of this year’s award recipients. We would also like to thank family and friends for their support of our programs and for sharing this special time with us.