In 1997, the accounting department began awarding scholarships to promising incoming freshmen. Along with the tuition assistance, the students have historically been invited to a breakfast with members of the faculty and the Professional Accounting Council where a group photo is taken. Twenty-five years and hundreds of scholarships later, we showed this photo to the very first group of First Year Scholars and got updates.

Just glancing at their titles, we would say these scholarships were a great investment!

1

ANDREW CHRISTIANSEN (BBA01/MAC02)
Chief Financial Officer
Cardlytics
Atlanta, Georgia

“Standing here in this photo, I had no idea the number of friendships I would create, fun experiences I would have, and things I would learn at the University of Iowa. I was honored to be part of the first group of First Year Scholars and the initial intimidation upon meeting the other recipients and administration running the program quickly dissolved once I recognized how much everyone was truly invested in our success.”

2

SCOTT CORNISH (BBA01)
Business Owner and Entrepreneur
Rock Technology, Paul Davis Restoration, MY SALON Suite
Coralville, Iowa

3

AFRICA ESPINA-GUZUN (BSE02/MS04)
Civil Environmental Engineer and Manager of Environmental Services
Locus Technologies
Mountain View, California

“Wow! I don’t think I ever saw this photo but yes, that is me. I was just starting college and excited about the accounting program at the business school. While I didn’t end up in accounting, I was grateful for the scholarship and opportunity to learn about the career so early on. The impact of the program translated to my current career where I’m responsible for project management and budgeting."

4

ANDREA GOODWIN (BBA01/MAc02)
Director of Corporate Reporting
Petco Health & Wellness, LLC
San Diego, California

“Wow, this was a trip down memory lane! This was taken just after I moved from Omaha, Neb. I was very nervous about going out of state to school, but I felt right at home at Tippie and met some of my best friends in life there. The college set me up for great success in my accounting career—from working in public accounting at KPMG to completing an international rotation in Sydney, Australia to taking a company through an IPO.”

5

TRAVIS HANSEN (BBA01)
Credentials Verification Office Supervisor
Unity Point Health
West Des Moines, Iowa

6

BRETT HILLER (BSN10)
Registered Nurse, House Supervisor
CHI Mercy Hospital
Council Bluffs, Iowa

“After three semesters as a business major, I switched to nursing. I now live in Glenwood, Iowa, with my four daughters and wife Ranita, who just earned her nursing degree from Iowa this spring! We continue to hold season football and wrestling tickets and enjoy coming to Iowa City to visit the campus and the community.”

7

JOSEPH HOLMES (BBA01)
Vice President & Chief Accounting Officer
Thermo Fischer Scientific
Boston, Massachusetts

“Talk about a blast from the past! As a first-year student in 1997, I remember being pleasantly surprised that the faculty were taking time to invest in us. I had assumed that the university would view its relationship with its students as transactional—we would pay for classes, and they would educate. I was wrong. I met Dan Collins that day and realized that he really wanted to see the next generation succeed."

8

MARCUS JELKS (BBA01)
Manager of Technology Solutions & Assets
DelCor Technology Solutions
Washington D.C.

“I was initially intrigued by the free breakfast but appreciated the dedication of the other scholars. A lot of what I learned in the  accounting program is even clearer after graduation: Ethical behavior is a huge competitive advantage and never stop learning.”

9

KAREN KREGOR (BBA00)
Operations Manager
Efficient Capital Management, LLC
Warrenville, Illinois

10

CHRIS McCANN (BBA01)
Director of Financial Reporting
Ranger Capital Management
Greater Chicago Area

“I don't recall exactly when this photo was taken, but I remember being very excited about the new Pappajohn Business Building and
felt grateful for the opportunity to take classes in such a state-of-the-art building. Like everyone, I am sure I had plenty of nervousness that freshman year, but it all worked out for the best. I look back fondly at my time at the University of Iowa.”

11

ERIN McCLINTOCK (BBA01)
Director of Accounting
Optum
Greater Minneapolis/St. Paul Area

12

JOHN MIKULICH (BBA01)
Chief Financial Officer
The Fresh Factory
Chicago, Illinois

“I remember starting out in the business school having no idea where my career would go. I am sure I was pretty quiet, surrounded by people I thought had a plan. I have had a great journey so far and know my experiences at Iowa helped get me to where I am today.”

13

SARAH BUCK
Anyone know what Sarah is up to these days?

 

 

This article appeared in the 2022 issue of Iowa Ledger.