What do you do as a director?
“I spend quite a bit of time talking to students. I have spent a lot of time this summer in meetings with our new dean. When I’m teaching, I have to prepare for my class (he usually teaches one course per semester). I direct graduate internships. I spend time trying to stay current in my field. I am also responsible for assigning faculty to classes….
My role is to do what I need to do to help them, then just get out of the way.”
What makes you love your field?
“I have always been good at math — not higher-level math, but I have a good understanding of numbers. I have always been interested in details. Also, my wife refers to me as frugal, which is being polite — (laughs) I am cheap, or tight…. That’s just the nature of accounting; we tend to overestimate our liabilities and underestimate our assets. Also, (I love that accounting) is always adapting due to changes in philosophy.”
What do you like to do outside work?
“I love to play golf. I mostly play at Fremont Hills (Country Club). I would play every day if I could.”
You have been involved with scholarship committees. Why would you encourage members of the MSU family to give to scholarships?
“Maybe you got a scholarship — think back to what that meant to you as a student and how that might have helped you. Think about giving that same opportunity to another person…. It’s tough (to turn down applicants). Last year in the School of Accountancy we had 90 or so applications and about 30 scholarships. So there are a lot of good students who were left out…it’s hard to say they weren’t deserving of a scholarship.”
What is happening in the School of Accountancy that alumni should know about?
“We are starting a new program this fall — a graduate certificate in forensic accounting. Forensic accounting is investigative — it’s the ‘CSI’ of the accounting world.” This program is for current graduate students and for practicing accountants who want to gain some knowledge in the specialty area.
School of Accountancy to communicate with faculty and to peruse the school’s e-newsletter.
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