BSBA, Accounting
MBA
MSA
CFO, Appalachian State University’s Office of Academic Affairs
Boone, NC
My favorite Walker College memory is…
I will list 3 favorites, and they are all related to faculty members. First, Charlie Speer was my Principles of Accounting instructor back in 1983. I had taken bookkeeping in high school, so Principles I was the easiest 4-hour A I ever received. I then had Mr. Speer for Intermediate Accounting, and I learned so very much from him. He was an excellent instructor and strongly influenced my later success in the Accounting program. I also had the honor of being a student assistant for him my junior year.
My second favorite memory is that of Dr. Ray Larson. As I described in my Masters graduation speech in 2017, Dr. Larson changed my life forever. He was the kindest and most positive person I had ever met. I had him for the CPA Review course back in 1986 in which he taught us to think positively. At that time, the exam was 4 parts taken over a period of 2 days, not one part at a time as it is today. He asked us to obtain at least 3 index cards and write on them "I will pass the CPA exam in May". Then we were to place one in the car, one on the bathroom mirror and one to carry on our person at all times. Of course, I studied hard, but I went into the exam believing I could pass all 4 parts in one sitting. The exam was tough, but Dr. Larson had prepared me very well for it. When I received my results in August of 1986, I had passed the CPA exam in one sitting. I have forever been so very grateful to Dr. Larson for his impact on my life. He truly was a saint!
My third favorite memory was being part of Beta Alpha Psi, whose faculty sponsor was Dr. Ken Peacock. He was also my tax professor, and actually made tax enjoyable. Any professor who can make tax enjoyable has a gift! My best memory of Dr. Peacock occurred during my junior year when he and I did a "roast" of sorts at the Beta Alpha Psi banquet. We performed some silly songs like "The Old Grey Speer" and "Hand Me Down My Walking Cane (for Dr. Jones)" with Dr. Peacock playing piano and me singing. It was so much fun!!! Dr. Peacock is also the one who was instrumental in nominating me to be on the Appalachian State University Foundation Board. He remains a friend and I treasure that friendship!
My experience in the Walker College prepared me for my life and work…
My experience in WCOB is why I have been successful in my 2 careers (healthcare accounting and higher ed.) I learned the technical skills and also the interpersonal skills as a result of the faculty caring about the students. This was true both in my undergrad as well as grad programs. From the time I left in 1986, there was a draw for me to return to Boone, which I did in 2016 to enter the MBA and MSA programs. That was one of the best decisions I have made because now I am a permanent resident. It is great to be home!