Accountants earn dollars, accolades

by Erin Zabarnick
Staff Writer
and Adrian Medrano
Staff Writer

Awards from $50 to $2,000 were presented at the University of La Verne’s Society of Accountants eighth annual academic awards banquet Saturday at the Pomona Valley Mining Company.

The lively atmosphere brought together students, faculty and alumni.

The banquet recognized the academic achievements of the members of ULV Society of Accountants.

The night started off with a warm welcome by the president Kevin Burns, a senior accounting major.

“He has received the highest offer by an accounting firm, graduating right out of four years of college,” said adviser Claudio Munoz.

“Our society focuses too much on the bad that people do,” Munoz said. “It’s great to recognize the good that these people have done.”

The night was filled with fun as the festivities began with the dean of college of business and public management, Gordon Badovik, addressing the attendees and was then followed with dinner. Door prizes were also given throughout the night such as ULV t-shirts and gift certificates.

Accounting club secretary Michelle Fontanez and public relations officer Tiffany Trinh gave an overview of the events that took place during the 2003-2004 year. Then acknowledgements and certificates of appreciation were given to those who supported the Society of Accountants throughout the year. The 2003-2004 board members were recognized and then the installation of the 2004-2005 board was activated.

“This year has been so easy because of the work that the E-Board has put in,” Burns said.

Vice President Valerie Godoy, next year’s president, won $500 for the Presidential Academic Award.

“This is great for my resume and a great way to network,” Godoy said.

“I joined last year and I love being on E-Board,” said Pamela Tomas, treasurer.

The awards given were based on involvement in the club, G.P.A. and seniority. “A student who is a senior and has a 3.5 has more weight then a freshman coming in with a 4.0,” Munzo said.

“I feel honored,” said junior Kopono Kobylanski, recipient of the club’s Academic Award. “This is my third year in ULVSA and a lot of good things have come from it.”

The club has over 55 members and continues to grow. The accounting club has monthly meetings where speakers address various topics.

“These meetings help with interviewing, communication, interpersonal work, job accusation, resumes, networking and people skills,” Munoz said.

The club has two big events throughout the year– the winter formal and the end of the year banquet. The winter formal gives the club a chance to take a break, eat food and relax. The awards banquet is meant to honor a year’s worth of hard work.

“I am really impressed with this year’s E-Board. Year number eight has been great. We have a really talented, hardworking group,” Muñoz said.

“After a year’s worth of work, this ends up a work of art. This club welcomes everyone here at La Verne to join and you don’t have to be an accounting major to be in the club,” he said.