ANNUAL AWARDS
ACCOUNTING FIRM DONORS
42nd ANNUAL
CLIFTONLARSONALLEN LLP AWARD
Nina Carey
18th ANNUAL
COUNTRY FINANCIAL AWARD
Faith Lagat
Toby Plattner
Katherine Coffman
Jennifer Hernandez-Sandoval
Malik Khatib
Darwin Salvatierra
Josephine Chavez
Sean Collins
Landon Cook
Emma Gregory
Kirsten Kindred
Grace Johnson
Adam Kirch
Lucas Kozak
Liam Rudin
44th ANNUAL
DUNBAR, BREITWEISER & CO., LLP AWARD
Owen Schroeder
18th ANNUAL
ENTERPRISE RENT-A-CAR AWARD
Henry Ryan
23rd ANNUAL
FORVIS AWARD
Tyson Kralis
23rd ANNUAL
MCK MARY ANN WEBB SCHOLARSHIP
Katelyn Krahn
15th ANNUAL
MILLER COOPER & COMPANY AWARD
Aaron Heppner
Nolan Mueller
The 40th Annual Accounting and Business Information Systems Awards Ceremony | 1
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25th ANNUAL
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS AWARD
Mackenzie Cotner
18th ANNUAL RSM AWARD
Michael Cassidy
Billy Doebler
Kyra Feltz
Joe McLaughlin
Libby Schmidt
3rd ANNUAL
SIKICH LLP ACCOUNTING AND BIS DIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP
Emma Gregory
Ashley Heagy
Tyson Kralis
17th ANNUAL STATE FARM AWARD
Miguel Ayala
Carson Brozenec
Payton Dundas
Clayton Eck
Emma Norden
5th ANNUAL
TIGHE, KRESS & ORR, PC AWARD
Christian Gomolchak
2024
DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP
Christian Kofi Amoakoh
Joseph Appelhans
Nina Carey
Caren Chumba
Carson Forbes
Rian Jacquat
Katelyn Krahn
Timothy Mayer
Anthony Miritello
Takuhiro Uesugi
Brandon Whetsell
1st ANNUAL ANDERSON FAMILY ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP
Quynh Bailey
Josephine Chavez
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8th ANNUAL
BRADLEY BENSON MEMORIAL
ISACA-ILLINI CHAPTER BIS SCHOLARSHIP
Faith Lagat
4th ANNUAL
BUSINESS INFORMATION SYSTEMS SCHOLARSHIP
Jennifer Hernandez-Sandoval
12th ANNUAL
CAROLINE KERN CRAIG ENDOWED FUND SCHOLARSHIP
Joe Harrington
Jessica Laughlin
16th ANNUAL
DAVID CURRIE CPA SCHOLARSHIP
Leonard Kagbo
4th ANNUAL
BRAD DAWSON MEMORIAL FUND SCHOLARSHIP
Kyleah Darnell
Liam Rudin
8th ANNUAL
DUANE AND DIANA DEBS SCHOLARSHIP
Keelyn Tyrell
13th ANNUAL
EOVALDI FAMILY ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP
Cobi Blair
Lucas Hofer
Kyle Krogstad
Andrea Rivera
Benjamin Yeboah
8th ANNUAL
MIKE AND KAREN ESSINGTON BIS SCHOLARSHIP
Faith Lagat
6th ANNUAL
JACALYN FERREE ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP IN ACCOUNTING
Julia Naronowicz
13th ANNUAL
FLESSNER FAMILY ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
HONORING DR. GERRY MCKEAN
Logan Birchbauer
Sean Hopkins
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4th ANNUAL
FOLTZ FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP
Subash Chaudhary
Carson Forbes
Jessica Laughlin
3rd ANNUAL
MARY GRAFFY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Gracie O’Brien
35th ANNUAL
ACCOUNTING ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
JAMES A. HALLAM SCHOLARSHIP
Eric Harper
7th ANNUAL
JIM & JEANETTE HALLAM
CPA CANDIDATE SCHOLARSHIP
Cobi Blair
3rd ANNUAL
DOUGLAS W. HART ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP
Joseph Appelhans
Keelyn Tyrell
2nd ANNUAL
HOWLEY FAMILY ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP
Clayton Eck
4th ANNUAL
INDUSTRIAL ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP
Eric Harper
10th ANNUAL
LAFRENCE FAMILY ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP
Christian Kofi Amoakoh
Benjamin Yeboah
7th ANNUAL
MCMULLEN FAMILY FIRST GENERATION STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP
Miguel Ayala
5th ANNUAL
ERIC MICKEL SCHOLARSHIP FOR ACCOUNTING
Katelyn Krahn
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27th ANNUAL
W. MAX REXROAD SCHOLARSHIP
Kyleah Darnell
Billy Doebler
Kirsten Kindred
Erin Patton
16th ANNUAL
JAMES H. SCHLESSER ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
Jack Priller
20th ANNUAL
HERBERT C. SIEG ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
Quynh Bailey
Michael Cassidy
Nina Carey
Joe Harrington
Payton Dundas
Takuhiro Uesugi
3rd ANNUAL
KELLEY AND JAMES SMITH ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP
Mackenzie Cotner
26th ANNUAL
NIMS ASSOCIATES
BILL SPANIOL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Toby Plattner
3rd ANNUAL
TANYI FAMILY ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP
Anh Nguyen
2024
WILLIAM TOWNES MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Kyleah Darnell
3rd ANNUAL
VANDERMYDE FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP
Michael Koczwara
17th ANNUAL
KATE KING WU & HORACE C. WU SCHOLARSHIP
Evan Capps
Subash Chaudhary
Brittney Oakley
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8th ANNUAL
ZARCONE FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP
Christian Kofi Amoakoh
Christian Gomolchak
Ashley Heagy
Gracie O’Brien
Natalie Starkey
Benjamin Yeboah
21st ANNUAL
BECKER PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP
Faith Lagat
Andrew Miller
2nd ANNUAL
DR. THOMAS SECOY CPA EXAM SCHOLARSHIP
Anh Nguyen
Matthew Varland
1st ANNUAL
GLEIM CPA REVIEW SCHOLARSHIP
Ryan Fryer
12th ANNUAL
STEVE MICHELS CPA REVIEW COURSE SCHOLARSHIP
Caren Chumba
4th ANNUAL
SURGENT CPA REVIEW SCHOLARSHIP
Sachin Suji
7th ANNUAL
UWORLD CPA REVIEW SCHOLARSHIP
Nate Cundiff
2024
BUSINESS INFORMATION SYSTEMS ALUMNI
OUTSTANDING UNDERGRADUATE
BUSINESS INFORMATION SYSTEMS STUDENT AWARD
Logan Birchbauer
2024
MARCOTTE FAMILY
OUTSTANDING UNDERGRADUATE
ACCOUNTING STUDENT AWARD
Liam Rudin
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2024
MARCOTTE FAMILY
OUTSTANDING MASTER OF PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANCY AWARD
Natalie Starkey
2024
MARCOTTE FAMILY
OUTSTANDING MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ACCOUNTANCY AWARD
Anh Nguyen
MULTI-YEAR AWARDS
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GARY AND HELEN ANETSBERGER SCHOLARSHIP
Sean Collins
Adam Kirch
Anthony Miritello
WILLIAM A. FORTSCH ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP
Miguel Ayala
Brooke Covey
SEARS ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP
Steel Martin
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2022 AWARD RECIPIENT
STUDENT BIOGRAPHIES
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CHRISTIAN KOFI AMOAKOH Christian is pursuing his MSA in accounting and an MBA. He is a member of NABA and currently serves on the NABA e-board as secretary. Christian had a great opportunity to intern with Deloitte at the Chicago office last summer and is looking forward to joining them in the future. His goal is to sit for the CPA exam fall 2024.
JOSEPH APPELHANS Joey is a graduate student pursuing his MSA. He completed a tax internship at KPMG and will be returning full-time this summer after receiving his master’s degree. He is currently taking the CPA exams.
MIGUEL AYALA Miguel is a junior majoring in accountancy. He is an active member of Delta Sigma Pi. He looks forward to completing his third internship at EY in the summer of 2024 and will be CPA eligible in 2025.
QUYNH BAILEY Quynh is a junior majoring in accountancy and accounting information systems. She has a full-time job and is a full-time student. She is looking to summer internship opportunities, having applied for internships at State Farm in Bloomington and Polaroid in New Jersey. She intends to graduate in Spring of 2025 and sit for CPA and CMA exams.
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LOGAN BIRCHBAUER Logan is a senior majoring in business information systems with a minor in business analytics. He is an active member in Beta Gamma Sigma and is also in charge of migrating Sports Business Society from the College of Business to the School of Communication. He completed an internship during summer of 2023 with CNA Insurance in Chicago, IL, where he was a SCRUM master and a Business Analyst in their Technology department. Logan has accepted an offer for a full-time position with CNA Insurance, which he will pursue upon graduation.
COBI BLAIR Cobi is a senior at Illinois State University majoring in accounting with a minor in organizational leadership. He will attend ISU for an additional year to receive a master’s degree in accounting. He has been elected to the Student Government Association as a Senator representing Watterson Towers and he is currently a Senator representing students living off-campus. For two consecutive years he has chaired the fee board and has been a member of the Academic Affairs committee of the Academic Senate. Additionally, he has served as the president of College Republicans after serving as treasurer for three semesters.
CARSON BROZENEC Carson is a junior majoring in accounting. He is an active member of Student Accounting Society. He looks forward to completing an audit internship with Martin Hood in the summer of 2024 and plans to sit for the CPA exam in 2025.
EVAN CAPPS Evan is a junior majoring in accounting. He is a transfer student from Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, IL, and this is his second semester at Illinois State University, where he is an active member of the Student Accounting Society. He looks forward to completing his audit internship at Sikich in the summer of 2024 and plans to sit for the CPA exam in the summer of 2026.
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NINA CAREY Nina is a senior majoring in accounting. She is an active member in Student Accounting Society and Women in Business. Nina is currently working as a tax intern while in school and looks forward to another tax internship this upcoming summer. She plans to sit for the CPA exam this summer 2024.
MICHAEL CASSIDY Michael is a junior majoring in accounting. He is the current chapter president and past treasurer of Sigma Nu Fraternity. He serves as the Vice President of finance on the Interfraternity Council. Michael also works for the University as desk staff for the Dean of Students Office. He is looking forward to an upcoming audit internship with RSM this summer and plans to apply for the master’s program this spring.
SUBASH CHAUDHARY Subash is a senior majoring in accounting and plans to complete his Bachelor of Accounting and master’s in professional accounting (BS/MPA) at Illinois State University. Subash is an active member of Student Accounting Society, Beta Gamma Sigma and has been involved with Beta Alpha Psi. He is serving as the Officer of Treasury for Business ACUMEN. Subash look forward to completing my tax internship with PWC in summer of 2024 and plans to sit for the CPA exam in fall of 2025.
JOSEPHINE CHAVEZ Josephine is a junior majoring in accounting. She transferred here from Elgin Community College after earning her associate in arts. After joining Student Accounting Society last semester, Josephine is looking forward to joining NABA or Beta Alpha Psi this semester. She is looking for an internship this year but has many prospects for next year’s tax season. She plans to graduate and earn her bachelor’s by Spring 2025 and sit for the CMA Exam by winter of 2025.
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CAREN NYANGASI CHUMBA Caren is in the masters in accounting program. She is an active member of National Association of Black Accountants and serves as an assistant treasury of the NABA association. She completed an internship with CLA in the summer of 2023 and plans to sit for the CPA in spring of 2024.
KATHERINE COFFMAN Katherine is a junior honors student majoring in business information systems, with a minor in business analytics. She plans to graduate in the spring of 2025. At Illinois State University, she is currently the Vice President of Recruitment of Women in Business (WIB) and plans recruitment week as well as ways to integrate our new members into the organization and serves as a mentor to communicate with potential, new, and current members to ensure they are enjoying WIB. Additionally, Katherine is an active member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, where she participates in chapter meetings, fundraisers, service events, and sisterhoods. She also recruits and mentor’s women in her chapter to help create lifelong friendships and guidance. This summer, she looks forward to further growing herself professionally as a Summer Analyst intern within the JPMorgan Chase & Co 2024 Commercial Banking Insight Program - Innovation Development in Chicago.
SEAN COLLINS Sean is a senior majoring in accounting. He looks forward to graduating May 2024 and beginning to work with Selden Fox as an Audit Associate. He is planning to sit for the CPA exam fall 2024.
LANDON COOK Landon is a senior, transitioning into the master’s portion of the BS/MPA program, with a major in accounting. He transferred from Illinois Central College in the Fall of 2022. Landon is currently interning with CliftonLarsonAllen for his second tax season. His past internships include Gorenz and Associates, Growmark. As Landon works towards his master’s degree, he plans to start sitting for the CPA exam during the summer of 2025.
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MACKENZIE COTNER Mackenzie is a junior majoring in accounting. She is in the BS/MPA program and plans to sit provisionally for the CPA exam in spring of 2025. She is an active member of Student Accounting Society and Women in Business. She looks forward to completing her audit internship with Sikich in spring and summer of 2024.
BROOKE COVEY Brooke is a graduate student in the BS/MPA program to receive her master’s in professional accountancy. She looks forward to completing an audit internship with RSM in the summer of 2024 and plans to start studying for the CPA exam after she graduates in December.
NATE CUNDIFF Nate is a part of the BS/MPA program at Illinois State University. He is in the final semester of his master’s portion, where he will graduate and begin work as a financial planner. Outside of school, Nate enjoys playing rugby and watching sports.
KYLEAH DARNELL Kyleah is majoring in accounting. She is an active member in Impact and is currently employed at the Discovery Children’s Museum. She looks forward to sitting for the CPA exam summer 2025.
BILLY DOEBLER Billy is a graduate student majoring in accounting. He is currently sitting provisionally for the CPA exam and works as both a graduate assistant in the accounting department as well as a campus ambassador for RSM. He looks forward to starting full time as an audit associate at RSM’S Chicago office in October of 2024.
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PAYTON DUNDAS Payton is a senior majoring in accounting. She currently works as a student tutor for the Department of Accounting. She is looking forward to completing an internship in Financial Operations at State Farm in the summer of 2024. She plans to sit provisionally for the CPA exam in the spring of 2025.
CLAYTON ECK Clayton is a junior at Illinois State University, pursuing a major in accounting and business analytics. Outside of his academic pursuits, Clayton is actively involved as a tutor at the Athletic Study Center, where he supports his peers in their academic endeavors. Additionally, Clayton serves as a proud member of the Army National Guard, where he balances military service alongside his academic responsibilities. Clayton’s commitment to excellence extends beyond the classroom, as he looks forward to welcoming a baby girl in May, adding a new dimension of joy and responsibility to his life. He looks forward to completing a Federal Audit Internship this summer in Washington D.C. for KPMG.
KYRA FELTZ Kyra is a senior majoring in accounting. She is an active member in her sorority, Alpha Delta Pi and in the classroom as a teaching assistant. She has interned with successful companies such as Walt Disney World and has enjoyed her time studying abroad in Italy this past summer. Kyra is looking forward to her tax accounting internship this summer with RSM and has been admitted into the MPA program for the ‘24-’25 school year.
CARSON FORBES Carson is a graduate student majoring in accounting in the BS/MPA program. He is currently in his last semester of school and has begun studying for the CPA exams. He is taking FAR in a few weeks and is eager to pass all the exams and become a CPA. He has accepted an offer of full-time employment with CliftonLarsonAllen in their Peoria office. He is excited to start his career as a tax accountant in the summer!
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CHRISTIAN GOMOLCHAK Christian is a junior majoring in financial accounting. He currently is serving as a manager for HyVee Inc. and is looking to get some accounting experience with the company.
EMMA GREGORY Emma is a senior majoring in financial accounting. She is an active member of Student Accounting Society and Women in Business. During this past tax season, she was a volunteer for the VITA program, and she is looking forward to completing an audit internship with Sikich this summer. In the fall she will begin graduate school at ISU, and she plans to sit provisionally for the CPA exam in the spring of 2025.
ERIC HARPER Eric is currently a junior accounting major at Illinois State University and aspires to get his CMA after he graduates in 2025. He is involved in the Student Accounting Society where he was the Mentorship Coordinator for a year and is now the current President. He was also heavily involved in the Big Red Marching Machine where he played the mellophone for two years. He also works as an accounting intern for Caterpillar for the spring and summer of 2024.
JOE HARRINGTON Joe is a senior majoring in Accounting and Finance graduating in Spring 2024. He is an active member of Delta Sigma Pi, Beta Gamma Sigma, the Vice President of Professional Development for Business Week, and the Vice President of the Student Leadership Advisory Board. He looks forward to starting his full-time position as a Financial Analyst for Caterpillar in their Management Training Program beginning this July.
ASHLEY HEAGY Ashley is a graduate student in the BS/MPA program, graduating in Spring of 2024. She was the Treasurer of the Accounting and Financial Women’s Alliance (AFWA) this past year and looks forward to starting her career with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) in August and earning her CPA certification within the next year.
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AARON HEPPNER Aaron is a senior majoring in accounting. During his semester, he enjoys participating in band and working as a lead tutor at the tutoring center on campus. He is looking forward to starting full-time with Miller Cooper in August and plans to sit for the CPA exam during the summer.
JENNIFER HERNANDEZ-SANDOVAL
Jennifer is a senior majoring in business information systems. She is a first-generation student and the first in her family to graduate with a bachelor’s degree. Jennifer transferred from the College of DuPage and is currently striving to acquire skills that will enable her to enter the workforce in business analytics. She looks forward to landing an internship or job after graduation.
LUCAS HOFER Lucas is a graduate student pursuing his master’s in accountancy. He currently works 30 hours a week for Martin Hood (MH) in Champaign as a tax intern. Lucas plans to graduate in the fall of 2024 and finish the BS/MPA program. After graduation, he plans to sit for the CPA exam in December 2024.
SEAN HOPKINS Sean is a junior, business information systems major. He is on the men’s track and field team at Illinois State. Sean is a transfer student from Eastern Illinois University. This summer he plans on interning at MoLo Solutions in Chicago as a customer operations specialist.
RIAN JACQUAT Rian s a senior majoring in accounting graduating this May with his BS/MPA. He is currently sitting for the CPA. He will start full time at Plante Moran in the summer.
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GRACE JOHNSON Grace is a senior majoring in accounting. She is a past president of Student Accounting Society and has been involved in Women in Business and Phi Gamma Nu. She is currently completing an audit internship with KPMG.
LEONARD KAGBO Leonard is an accounting student. He is an active member of NABA, the National Association of Black Accountants. Leonard had the opportunity to do an audit and assurance internship with Deloitte in the summer of 2023. He is now finishing a spring 2024 audit and assurance internship at Crowe and plans to sit for the CPA exam in July 2024
MALIK KHATIB Malik is a senior majoring in business information systems. He is the sole student Business Analyst within the office of Tech Solutions and serves as President of the Business Information Systems club. He looks forward to completing his Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Certificate and receiving job offers near graduation in May of 2024.
KIRSTEN KINDRED Kirsten is a senior accounting major in the BS/MPA program. In addition to her commitment to being an honors student, she is also integral to the Honors Program student leadership team, where she facilitates honors events, mentors freshmen, and recruits prospective honors students. Kirsten also enjoys tutoring accounting through the Julia N. Visor Center. She was previously the Vice president of Student Accounting Society and continues to be an active member. Last summer Kirsten completed an audit internship with FORVIS and is excited for a federal audit internship with KPMG this summer. Kirsten plans to sit for the CPA in the Spring of 2025.
ADAM KIRCH Adam is a senior at Illinois State University in the BS/MPA program. Adam plans on starting his CPA this summer by taking FAR. He looks forward to a tax internship this summer that he hopes will help prepare him for when he takes REG in the winter.
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MICHAEL KOCZWARA Michael is a junior accounting major in the BS/MPA sequence. He is a full-time student and works part-time for the Illinois State University Fleet Services. He plans on completing the CPA certification along with the MPA by May of 2026.
LUCAS KOZAK Lucas is a junior majoring in accounting at Illinois State University. He is an avid sports fan who enjoys spending time with friends and family. He has accepted an internship with Plante Moran for the spring of 2024. He plans on graduating in the Spring of 2025 and taking the CPA exam.
KATIE KRAHN Katie is a senior undergraduate student majoring in accounting. She is an active member of Student Accounting Society where she recently just transitioned out of the role of Event Coordinator. Katie looks forward to my summer 2024 audit internship at FORVIS. She is in the BS/ MPA program and plan to sit for the CPA exam spring 2025.
TYSON KRALIS Tyson is a graduate student pursuing his master’s degree in professional accountancy. He is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma and is expecting to graduate this spring. He recently sat for his final section of the CPA Exam and is eager to begin his professional career and obtain his CPA license after graduation.
KYLE KROGSTAD Kyle is a graduate student in the BS/MPA program. He graduated with his bachelor’s in the summer of 2023, majoring in accounting with a minor in business analytics. He is on his fourth internship with Eccezion, a small public accounting firm in the northwest suburbs. Kyle will be starting as a staff accountant at Eccezion full-time come summer of 2024. He has begun studying for the CPA exam and will sit for it during the spring and summer of 2024.
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FAITH LAGAT Faith is second year graduate student in the accounting and the MBA program. She is an active member of Business Acumen and National Association of Black Accountants. Faith also serves as the Treasurer National Association of Black Accountants-ISU Chapter. She has had an extensive experience in retail banking in Kenya and will be interning with EY in Tax department in Summer 2024. She plans to sit for the CPA exam starting April 2024.
JESSICA LAUGHLIN Jessica is an accounting graduate student. During her time at ISU, she has served as the President of Beta Gamma Sigma, Vice President and Secretary of the Accounting and Financial Women’s Alliance, and Vice President of Professional Affairs for Delta Sigma Pi. This year, Jessica is a graduate assistant for the Department of Accounting and an assistant coach for the ISU cheerleading program. Jessica is currently sitting the CPA exam and will become an entry-level accountant at Caterpillar Inc. in Peoria, IL upon graduation.
STEEL MARTIN Steel is a freshman concurrently enrolled in the Honors Program and the 5-year master’s Accounting Program at Illinois State University. With roots in both Austin, Texas, and Morton, Illinois, he has a familial connection to ISU through his father. Currently, he is actively seeking membership in the Professional Business Fraternity, Pi Sigma Epsilon, to expand both his professional network and skillset in the workplace. Beyond academics, he enjoys video games, music, and football. He plans to graduate from ISU and pursue a career in law, with aspirations of becoming a financial lawyer postgraduation.
TIMOTHY MAYER Timothy is a graduate student in the BS/MPA program. Outside of his classes, he has participated in the student accounting society, soccer club, spikeball club, and is actively involved with the Encounter campus ministry. He has completed two auditing internships with Selden Fox Ltd., providing him with hands-on experience in financial analysis and audit procedures. Tim is eager to pursue a real estate tax internship with Ernst and Young in Chicago this next summer. Tim plans on sitting for the CPA Exam in the fall of 2024, or in the spring of 2025.
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JOE MCLAUGHLIN Joe is a senior accounting major. He is a team lead at the Student Affairs IT Help Desk and a member of the business information systems club. Joe also is on the Illinois State Spikeball team. He has completed an internship with the village of Schaumburg and looks forward to his audit internship with RSM this Summer.
ANTHONY MIRITELLO Anthony is a graduate student majoring in accounting. He is a member of the business fraternity PGN and am also a part of the men’s water polo club team. Anthony will be working full time with KPMG and plans on sitting for the CPA after his graduation.
NOLAN MUELLER Nolan is a senior majoring in accounting and minoring in mathematics. He is an active member of Student Accounting Society. Before attending Illinois State, he attended Lincoln Land Community College where he served as the treasurer of the Honor’s Club. He is currently working at Olive Garden as a bartender and server. He looks forward to completing his tax internship with Miller Cooper in the summer of 2024 and graduating in August 2024. He plans on sitting for the CPA is the fall of 2024 and looks forward to continuing his professional career.
JULIA NARONOWICZ Julia is a senior in the BS/MPA program majoring in accounting and information systems. Julia received her bachelor’s degree in December of 2023 and is on track to graduate with her master’s in December of 2024, with a certificate in forensic accounting. She looks forward to her audit internship with RSM in summer of 2024 and plans to sit for the CPA exam in spring of 2025.
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ANH NGUYEN Anh is a graduate student pursuing a master’s in accountancy, with an expected graduation date of May 2024. Anh has finished her other master’s degrees in financial economics and MBA. Anh currently serves as a Tax Intern at Tighe, Kress Orr, PC in Elgin, IL. Anh looks forward to joining her tax associate position with Crowe in Summer of 2026 and plans to sit provisionally for the CPA exam in April of 2024
EMMA NORDEN Emma is a senior majoring in accounting with a minor in business analytics. She is an active member of Student Accounting Society and Women in Business. She is a past executive member of Women in Business. Emma looks forward to starting her tax consulting job with PWC in summer 2024. She also plans to start sitting for the CPA in spring 2024.
BRITTNEY OAKLEY Brittney is a senior majoring in accounting and minoring in economics. She is the treasurer of Beta Alpha Psi and a member of Beta Gamma Sigma. She is also a member of the ISU Track and Field team, competing as a long jumper. She helps organize Fellowship of Christian Athletes and attends Encounter, a campus ministry. She really enjoyed her internship as a valuation accountant with ADM last summer and is excited for her audit internship with EY in Indianapolis this summer. Brittney plans to graduate in May 2025 with her master’s in professional accountancy and sit for the CPA.
GRACIE O’BRIEN Gracie is a graduate student in the BS/MPA program. She has previously served as Vice President for the Accounting and Financial Women’s Alliance and Membership Coordinator for the Student Accounting Society. She has interned at CliftonLarsonAllen and the YMCA of the Rockies and is currently working with the College of Business Associate Dean of Accreditation using data analytics. She hopes to have all CPA exams completed by June before starting at Caterpillar in August.
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ERIN PATTON Erin is a junior majoring in accounting. She is an active member in Women in Business. Erin is looking forward to her accounting internship with Caterpillar starting the summer of 2024. She plans to sit for the CPA exam in the spring of 2026.
TOBY PLATTNER Toby is a senior majoring in accounting. He is an active member and coordinator of the Apostolic Christian Young Group. He has gained much real-world experience and insight through his current internship at Nussbaum Transportation. After completing the integrated BS/MPA (bachelor’s in science and master in Professional Accountancy) program in the spring of 2025, he plans to sit for the CPA exam.
JACK PRILLER Jack is a current junior at Illinois State University where he currently majors in Financial Accounting and maintains a 4.0 GPA. He is an active member of the community and is involved on campus, a club he is involved in is the Personal Finance Club. He is looking forward to completing an accounting internship with Echo Global Logistics in the summer of 2024.
ANDREA RIVERA Andrea is a junior majoring in accounting and information systems. She is an active member of Women in Business and Student Accounting Society. Within Student Accounting Society, she holds the Marketing Coordinator Position for 2024. She looks forward to furthering her career when she completes the CPA exam after graduation.
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LIAM RUDIN Liam is a senior majoring in accounting with a minor in Spanish. He is also an active member of Student Accounting Society. Liam currently works as an intern with the second largest Jimmy John’s franchisee in the nation. On campus, he works in the Office of the President at Illinois State University and at various events as a Presidential Ambassador. Liam is currently studying for the CPA exam and is excited to begin his professional career with PWC in their Chicago tax office after graduation.
HENRY RYAN Henry is a junior in the BS/MPA program. He is currently pursuing his undergraduate degree then after graduation he will immediately begin his masters with plans to complete the graduate program in December 2025. Henry also plans to start taking the CPA as soon as he is eligible next winter. He looks forward to interning at Guarantee Trust life insurance as an accounting intern this summer and other future opportunity.
DARWIN SALVATIERRA Darwin is a junior majoring in business information systems analytics. He is an active member of the professional business fraternity Delta Sigma Pi and currently serving in his elected position as Vice President of Marketing. He looks forward to developing his technical skills and is pursuing an internship as a data analyst for the summer of 2024.
LIBBY SCHMIDT Libby is a senior in the BS/ MPA program. She has been an active student involved in different RSOs around campus, including serving on the program council and executive council of her panhellenic sorority, taking the role as treasurer in 2023, was president of club softball from 2022-2023. She looks forward to her audit internship with RSM this summer and plans to sit for the CPA exam starting spring 2025. She was also an accounting intern for ADM summer of 2023.
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OWEN SCHROEDER Owen is a senior majoring in accounting and pursuing a minor in financial planning. He has been an active member of the Illinois National Guard at the 2-123rd Field Artillery in Milan, Illinois for the past 5 years. He also served as Vice President for Sales Excellence Academy here at Illinois State for 2 years. He will be completing an internship CDH CPA in Itasca, Illinois after he graduates and hopes to receive a full time offer and then sit for the CPA exam.
NATALIE STARKEY Natalie is a graduate student in the accounting BS/MPA program. She has formerly served as the President of the Accounting & Financial Women’s Alliance. She is also an active member of Encounter Campus Ministry. She has completed a tax internship with Dunbar Breitweiser & Company, LLP, and an assurance internship with CliftonLarsonAllen. She has passed one section of the CPA and hopes to complete all sections by the end of the year.
KEELYN TYRELL Keelyn is a graduate student pursuing her master’s in accounting through the BS/MPA program. She is an active member of Phi Gamma Nu and ISU competitive dance team. She is currently serving as a senior captain and treasurer for the ISU competitive dance team. She looks forward to starting her full-time staff accountant position at PBC Advisors in summer of 2025 and plans to sit for the CPA exam in fall of 2024.
TAKUHIRO UESUGI Takuhiro is an international student from Japan pursuing a masters in accountancy. He is looking forward to a tax internship with Plante Moran in the summer of 2024. He is planning to sit for the CPA exam after the summer.
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MATT VARLAND is a fifth-year student in the BS/MPA program. He will be graduating this May with his grad degree and working at Miller Cooper in Chicago after the conclusion of this school year. Matt looks forward to graduation and starting his career as a tax professional.
BRANDON WHETSELL Brandon is an accounting graduate student in the BS/MPA program. He completed a tax internship with CLA this spring and is looking forward to completing an audit internship with KEB in the summer. He plans to sit provisionally for the CPA exam in the fall of 2024.
BENJAMIN YEBOAH Benjamin is an accounting graduate student from Ghana, who is currently enrolled in his final semester in ISU’s accounting master’s program. He serves as the vice-president of NABA, ISU chapter. Benjamin has accepted a fulltime audit associate position with Deloitte, Chicago, beginning in fall of 2024, and is currently pursuing a CPA certification.
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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.
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