Hall
The Inaugural Accounting
The newly formed Accounting Hall of Fame recognizes remarkable graduates. Because we have such high-achieving alumni, it was very difficult to narrow an extensive list to just four individuals. The selection committee included Ken Hansen, Mary Loyland, Harold Wilde, and Steve Carlson. Criteria include career achievements as well as service and/or financial assistance provided to the University. The induction ceremony, which will be part of Homecoming, is set for Friday, October 21, at the Alerus Center.
John C. Berg Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Accounting, 1975 Master of Science in Accounting, 1977 Senior Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers (Deceased 2005) John Berg joined the Minneapolis office of Coopers and Lybrand, an accounting and consulting firm, after graduation. Named partner in 1988, he focused on small and emerging businesses. He continued as a partner when the firm merged with PricewaterhouseCoopers in 1998. Often referred to as everyone’s favorite auditor, he was considered a guiding force for many of the region’s leading businesses. He personally advised executives as their companies grew from small entrepreneurial firms to large, successful public and private enterprises. Education was important to John, an active UND supporter. He took a special interest in the Department of Accountancy and the College of Business and Public Administration. He tirelessly recruited UND’s accounting majors and often spoke at Beta Alpha Psi events. He loved mentoring and setting examples, even though he kept a low profile and left the spotlight to others. Born in Grand Forks, John attended school in East Grand Forks, Minn., and learned about business while working at his father’s Ford dealership, Red River Motors. He was active in his church, an avid
car collector, and an energetic photographer. His photographs of social events are well remembered for mysteriously appearing on bulletin boards around the PwC office. His car collection included a 1957 Ford Thunderbird, a 1968 Mustang, a 1972 Mach 1, and his very first car, a red 1956 Chevrolet. Above all, John’s family was most important to him. He married Carol in 1989, and they had two daughters who enjoyed going to the office with him on Saturday mornings. With family, colleagues, and friends at his side, he passed away in 2005 after a brief illness. He is survived by his wife and daughters, Gretchen, 14, and Meghan, 12. In memory and honor of John and his accomplishments, the Department of Accountancy office suite bears his name. The John C. Berg Memorial Accounting Scholarship Endowment has also been established within the UND Foundation. Both memorials are supported by the generosity of Carol Berg and many of John’s associates, colleagues, and friends.
Summer 2011 | The University of North Dakota
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