Accounting Spring Banquet

BOTHELL, WA. – 2010 marks a lot of inaugural events for UW Bothell: the first freshmen graduating class, the first accounting degree graduating class and the petitioning chapter for Beta Alpha Psi at UWB.

Thursday, April 29th, was the Accounting Spring Banquet. This event, designed to celebrate the past year and the achievements of the accounting students, featured the induction of the new members of Beta Alpha Psi and a keynote speech by the president and CEO of Zumiez Corporation, Rick Brooks.

Emcee and B.A.P. faculty advisor Ron Tilden discussed in detail the accomplishments of all the accounting students during the past academic year.  After a hearty (and free) meal and dessert, awards and recognition were given to all those who deserved them for their efforts and achievements over this past academic year.   Rick Brooks wrapped up the event with a speech about working for a “fun” company while maintaining profits and core values. He talked about his strategies for a growing company and how important it is to focus on your main principles, even through expansion.

In order to be inducted as a member of Beta Alpha Psi, students were required to fulfill a certain amount of volunteer hours. Select students from B.A.P. got involved in VITA. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance is a program set up to help low income and elderly families with their tax returns, performed in conjunction with United Way and Snohomish County. VITA had 29 volunteers from UWB’s beta alpha psi chapter who worked a combined 625 volunteer hours and produced a combined 534 tax returns.

Beta Alpha Psi also competed at the regional level this year and walked away with third place, becoming the first petitioning chapter in B.A.P.’s history to place at the regional level. Students who were directly involved in this competition included B.A.P President Nathan Al-Hwail, VP of Activities Mariya Beynenson, National Reporting Officer Julie Husum, Treasurer Sha Li, Webmaster Alex Olson and members Vladamir Kolpatchev and Andrew Lowe.  This achievement is attributable to the combined efforts of the students involved, the officers of B.A.P. and the faculty advisors, Ron Tilden and Deborah Medlar.

These are the students who were inducted as members of this chapter of Beta Alpha Psi. If you see these students on campus be sure to congratulate them for their achievements!