Written by Jake Weber

Economics and management professor Gaylord Smith recently received the 2009 Accounting Teaching Excellence Award from the Michigan Association of CPAs (MACPA).

"Being named Michigan Accounting Educator of the Year is a complete thrill for me," says Smith. "I love working with college students and even after 30-plus years of teaching I still find it fun and exhilarating to be in the classroom."

"I nominated Professor Smith for this award because he has a tremendous impact on all his students and the college community as a whole," said Steven Thompson, '09, employed by PricewaterhouseCoopers in Detroit. "He is always willing to help students and push them to excel as they prepare to begin their careers. Professor Smith is highly respected within the CPA profession for his efforts in and out of the classroom."

According to MAPCA, the award is given to one Michigan professor each year who not only "emphasizes the importance of accounting education to the profession, but also exemplifies the role professors play in supporting the CPA Profession.

A member of Albion's faculty since 1976, Smith was voted Teacher of the Year and received the United Methodist Church's Exemplary Teacher award, both in 1994. Smith established Albion's participation in the IRS-sponsored Volunteers in Tax Assistance program; since 2004, he and dozens of Albion students have prepared nearly 1,000 tax returns for faculty, staff, students and community members. Smith was nominated for the award by Steven Thompson, '09.

Smith's award is the second state-level CPA award for a Briton in 2009: William Stout, '71, dean of the University of Louisville's School of Accountancy in their College of Business, won an Outstanding Society Service award from the Kentucky Society of CPAs.

Related story: Smith's VITA students provide tax release for community
http://www.albion.edu/news/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=871