Remembering Zeke

Accounting Professors Dawn Konicek and Michele O’Brien- Rose have a tendency to become very close to their students. “There are always a handful that remain really close and stay in touch,” said O’Brien-Rose. Esequiel “Zeke” Uribe, was one of those students. Last fall, the College of Business family was devastated to lose the 2018 accounting and marketing graduate.

“When I first met Zeke, he was an online student,” said O’Brien-Rose. “But he was so thorough, so diligent, that he came to campus every week to meet with me.” As a first generation college student, Uribe began his journey at ISU feeling a bit insecure. “He was so shy, he really kept in his shell,” said Konicek. “But, as he began to succeed and saw what he was capable of, he started to feel more comfortable and gained more confidence in his abilities. He just had to prove himself to himself.”

Uribe’s personality shined as he began to join more student groups. “He was super funny, we always got a laugh out of him,” said Konicek. Uribe was extensively involved in the Beta Alpha Psi fraternity, serving as the vice president of information, and presenting at national and regional meetings. He also worked as a preparer and moderator for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.

Uribe’s excitement for his education emerged through his passion for getting involved and always committing to do his best. “He loved school and he just loved the program,” said Konicek. “When he graduated, he told me he was excited for the next step, but he was actually a little sad to be leaving and ending the journey.”

After graduating, Uribe went on to work for Platform Tax in Pocatello and had recently begun working for Eide Bailly in Twin Falls as an auditor.

The memory of Zeke Uribe will always be a fond one for professors and his classmates in the College. Zeke brought so much light and laughter to so many people’s lives. “We want to keep his memory alive and we want it to go on in perpetuity,” said O’Brien-Rose. In remembrance of Uribe’s accomplishments, and his love for his education, the two professors are in the process of developing a scholarship in his name. “We really want this scholarship to be more than just a fund that is built up and awarded once,” said O’Brien-Rose. “Zeke’s memory means so much more than that. To keep this going, we need the scholarship to be an ‘endowment’.” O’Brien-Rose explained that an endowment is perpetual and allows the scholarship funds to be accrued from the principle’s interest. “However, the minimum amount needed to start an endowment is$25,000,” said O’Brien-Rose.

Although the scholarship is in the beginning stages of development and its criteria have not been finalized, the professors both agreed that qualifying applicants would need to be both an accounting major and a first generation college student. Those interested in contributing to the establishment of the endowment can contactKent Tingey at tingkent@isu.edu.