Accounting Awards Banquet

Posted by Joseph Phillips, Jr. on Saturday, May 30, 2015 at 11:21 AM PDT

The 43 ^rd  Annual Accounting Awards Banquet took place on May 29 ^th .  Nineteen scholarship awards and eighteen other awards were presented to our accounting students.  The awards recognized academic excellence, leadership demonstrated in Beta Alpha Psi (BAP), service as accounting tutors, and service in the Volunteers in Tax Assistance program.

This was Bruce Koch's last year to preside at the banquet as Department Chair.  Bruce is handing the gavel (literally, that is what he did!) to Chips Chipalkatti, who starts as department chair on July 1.  Bruce has done a terrific job leading the department over the last seven years, and many significant improvements and innovations have occurred on his watch.  These include new programs in valuation and internal audit, increased recognition in national rankings, and consistent national recognition for our BAP chapter.

Like an outgoing President handing out Presidential Pardons, Bruce decided to bestow four Chair Awards this year, all well deserved.  One went to advisory board member and adjunct professor Dave Duffendach, one to incoming department chair Chips Chipalkatti, one to Department Chief Operating Officer Jani Medieros (aka department administrative assistant), and one to retiring faculty member Dave Tinius.

Of course, Dave (aka "Tinman") is a legendary figure in the department and the Albers School, having served as a faculty member at SU since 1971.  In addition to serving as department chair for many years himself, he founded the Accounting Awards Banquet.  At 43 years it is one of the longest standing traditions at SU!  He also established our Beta Alpha Psi chapter at that time and even served as President of the national Beta Alpha Psi organization, a huge honor and responsibility.

Much of the evening was spent reviewing the 44 year history of Dave at SU and the accounting department, since they are so intertwined.  Suffice it to say, much has changed since the 1970's as the department has developed into the outstanding program it is today.  Dave had much to do with that, as did the other department chairs along the way - Bill Weis, Susan Weihrich, and Bruce.  Chips is sure to continue that tradition. 

Dave is such a revered figure among alumni that we were able to establish an endowed Professorship in his name thanks to their contributions!  Today, Chips is the holder of the David E. Tinius Endowed Professorship in Accounting.

The 43 ^rd  version of the Accounting Award Banquet was a great event.  It allowed us to celebrate the achievements of our accounting students, to honor a legendary faculty member, and to reflect on the storied history of our Department of Accounting!