It is hard to believe that I am well into my second year as the Director of the Adkerson School of Accountancy. The support I have received from the students, faculty, Advisory Council and leadership within and outside the College of Business has been truly amazing. With this type of continued support, I am confident that the School is destined to accomplish great things, and the best is yet to come. As you navigate through this issue of the Bulldog Ledger, I think you will agree.

I am proud of the work we have accomplished together and the achievements that have been made since I came on board. The School’s undergraduate and graduate programs were ranked 3^rd in the nation by CCH’s 2016 Public Accounting Report for accounting programs with 15 or fewer fulltime faculty. Placement rates for graduate students were 100 percent for 2015 and 2016. A new strategic plan was developed, and implementation is underway. The number of students in the Accelerating Students into the Accounting Profession (ASAP) summer camp for high school students increased by 70 percent. Enrollment in the School is up by 5 percent for 2016. These accomplishments, along with others presented in the newsletter, are a clear indication that the Adkerson School of Accountancy is positioned to move forward in a positive way.

One of the highlights of the spring semester was the Spring Banquet. Attendance was at an all-time high. Undergraduate scholarships were awarded to 109 students, totaling $82,750. Total graduate scholarships/support awarded totaled $404,014. Faculty fellowships were awarded to Dr. Nathan Berglund and Mrs. Angela Pannell. None of this would be possible without the generous support of our donors, and it is a testament to the engagement of our alumni in the life of the School.

We couldn’t be happier with the outcomes of our faculty searches. The new faculty that started in the fall are Dr. Billy Brewster, Visiting Assistant Professor; Dr. Clyde Herring, Associate Clinical Professor and Dr. Bradley Lang, Assistant Professor. These scholars bring diverse experiences and strengths to the program. I am confident that their contributions will have a positive impact on the School. I am also pleased with the contributions that our current faculty are making, many of which are presented in this publication.

Much of my time last year was devoted to preparing the School for an AACSB accreditation visit that will take place in February 2017. As I move beyond that task, one of my priorities is to embark on the fundraising initiative outlined in our new strategic plan. In today’s environment, external funding is necessary to maintaining quality academic programs. The Adkerson School of Accountancy is no exception. Please take a few minutes to read the article from Rob Jenkins, Director of Development, to learn more about giving opportunities. If you have any questions about this initiative, do not hesitate to contact me.

I hope you enjoy reading the Bulldog Ledger. I encourage you to keep up with what is going on in the School by visiting our website and through Facebook and Twitter. On behalf of the faculty, staff and students, I would like to thank our donors, alumni, employers and friends for their continued support. Your relationship with and support of the Adkerson School of Accountancy is key to its success.

Hail State!

Dr. Shawn Mauldin
Director, Adkerson School of Accountancy