Business Administration & Accounting Department

Melissa S. Oakes, C.P.A., C.F.E., M.B.A.
Department Chair

 moakes@thiel.edu
 724-589-2046

Academic Center 29

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  • Week 10

    Chi Eta Sigma.jpeg

    On April 14, the Arthur McGonigal Department of Business Administration and Accounting held its annual honors and awards ceremony in combination with the Ruth A. Miller Senior Seminar. Taking part in the evening’s festivities in addition to the business department faculty members were President Susan Traverso, Ph.D., and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College Elizabeth Frombgen, Ph.D. The keynote speaker for the event was Cara Hoehn-Lapic, D.Sc. ’92, Senior Group Manager, Business Planning and Analysis at BNY Mellon and a member of the Thiel College Board of Trustees.

    The event started with the naming of this year’s incoming group of students to the Department’s honorary society, Chi Eta Sigma. To qualify for admission to Chi Eta Sigma, a student must be majoring in accounting, forensic accounting, business administration, international business, or public relations, advertising and integrated marketing communications with junior or senior standing. The student must have completed at least five courses toward the major, completing at least two 300- or 400-level courses and been a full-time student of at least one year. Finally, the student must maintain at least a 3.25 GPA in the College and 3.50 GPA in the major.

    Returning members of the honorary, Charles Lichtenwalter ’22, and Macy Siefert ’21; joined with Professor Gary Witosky ’79, to welcome and induct the new members. The new members admitted to the honorary for 2021 are Madison Acor ’22Emily Baker ’22Kara Baumgardner ’22Emily Groves ’21, Kristie Hoover ’21, Katherine Sollers ’22 and Jasmine Tucker ’21. Due to not being on campus or other conflicts, new members Ashtin Kirkwood ’22, William Lingard ’21, and Mikayla Mirich ’21 will be inducted at a future date.

    The event also included the awarding of the Department’s three highest awards. The Wall Street Journal Award was presented by Professor Angelo Giannini to Emily Groves, with

    The Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accounts Senior Accounting Award presented by Professor Melissa Oakes ’03 to Macy Siefert, and The Business Administration and Accounting Departmental Award was presented by Professor Steven Kandray to Kara Baumgardner. 

    Hoehn-Lapic was the featured speaker at the April 14 Ruth A. Miller Senior Business Seminar. She shared her insights and tips for success in career and life.

    “The second and third points she talked about were attempting to be the best Cara she could possibly be and to seize the day. I personally think being the best me will help with all my goals in life, because if I give all of my effort into something then I know anything is possible.” Madison Acor ’22

    “Overall, Cara clearly displayed her enthusiasm and passion for her experiences at BNY Mellon and Thiel. The attendees of tonight’s Ruth Miller Senior Seminar dinner, myself included, are grateful to have met the speaker and learned about her professional endeavors. I hope to carry with me the same enthusiasm that Cara exhibits with regard to her professional career.”  Emily Baker ’22

    “Cara’s speech held a lot of information. She gave us tools to put in our toolkit that will help us in the future. She mentioned utilizing the benefits of companies, like their tuition reimbursement. Having a company pay for more schooling is also something I’m looking for in my career pursuit. She talked about learning from the people around you and learning how to communicate with others. Basic communication skills are crucial for successful teamwork and cooperation. It also includes interpersonal skills and being able to adapt to other people’s personalities. Cara discussed recognizing your strengths and weaknesses and using them to your advantage, as well.” Jocelyn Bracken ’21

    “She believes that her kids were the biggest blessing in her life because they help her be a better person every day. She does not ever slow down, and now that she has her children, they have forced her to slow down and work on herself as well.” Eligah Flynn ’21 

    “As Cara took the stage, she talked about three specific points that got her to where she is today, those being to continuously strengthen your toolbox, to be the best person you could be, and to engage in Carpe Diem. Those were the keys focus points throughout her life that she attributed to her success in the business world, it was clear to see that she was a very confident and intelligent woman who would be a great asset to any company.”  William Brandsema ’21

    “One of the most important lessons I learned was learn something from everyone around you. She talked about how observing the people around her in her workplace helped her to learn who she wanted to be like and who she did not. I think this can be helpful because it will allow you to garner experience and useful traits from those around you.” Hailee Hess ’21

    “She said if your company is willing to pay for you to go and receive more education then totally take advantage of that benefit. She has gone back to school at the expense of her company and she does not regret going back. Cara said, ‘I want to be 90 going on spring break’, and I thought that was funny.” Jeffery Karnoff 21

    “The last two topics, she told us to never stop trying to better yourself and to seize every day. Not only is she a wife and mom of two, she finds time for herself and also helps do things outside of work, like working in some way for the community. Cara said that it is important to make time for you because ‘Life is not a dress rehearsal.”’ Overall, I learned a lot from her speech and enjoyed how she talked so highly of Thiel.”  Delaney Merideth ’21

    “You must, must, must build your toolkit. Thiel College fostered an amazing atmosphere for Dr. Lapic and it can do the same for each of us. The liberal arts education opens many doors to help students explore each of the paths that they lead to. The education provided to us allows us to become well rounded.” Jessica Peters ’21

    “Cara dedicates her success to her ‘toolbox’, which is her educational assets that she’s acquired over the years of education and work experience. I personally can relate to this in my time at Thiel college. I have started to create my own toolbox and I have learned things at Thiel that have helped me develop as a person, student, and an employee at a corporate company.” Anthony Sebastian ’21

    “A Thiel education can be one of the best tools you can have in your belt because it provides you with background knowledge and a basic lay of the land in many subjects that a lot of other people do not have.” Hannah Uschock ’22 

    “For the Chi Eta Sigma dinner, Professor Witosky presented us, along with AVI, with an amazing meal. It was quite a challenge to eat, due to the salad being a large slice of watermelon with a salad stuffed inside!” Jessica Peters ’21

    “This dinner was amazing along with the dessert.”  Eligah Flynn ’21

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