FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 15, 2015
For More Information:
Glenville State College
Public Relations Department
(304) 462-4115
GLENVILLE, WV - The West Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants (WVSCPA) has selected Glenville State College student Ashley Woodford as their Outstanding Accounting Senior. The annual award recognizes seniors majoring in accounting from colleges and universities across West Virginia.
According to WVSCPA Recruiting and Opportunity Chair Jered Green, the outstanding senior is chosen through a competitive selection process. The selection committee evaluates an applicant's academic transcript, work experience, extracurricular activities, leadership skills, letters of reference, and essay. The best overall candidate is then recognized as the Outstanding Accounting Senior.
"For 2014, the committee selected Ashley Woodford as the first place award recipient. Ashley was a great candidate who has achieved very much inside and outside of the classroom. Her drive and determination to not let the challenges of life hold her back from achieving her goals are great characteristics that will serve her well in her future career. The committee was proud to select Ashley as this year's first place award recipient," said Green.
"When I found out that I had been chosen as the WVSCPA's 2014 Outstanding Accounting Senior, I was so excited. I felt like all my hard work was finally starting to pay off and be recognized," said Woodford.
Woodford will complete her degree in May 2015 and is triple-majoring in accounting, management, and computer science. In addition to being a student member of the WVSCPA and serving as president of Professional Business Leaders (PBL) at GSC, she currently works at the Gilmer County Senior Center, has spent time as a student worker on campus, and completed an eight-week internship at Charleston's Ernst and Young office. Woodford was recognized by GSC's Department of Business in 2013 as a member of the Best Service Learning Team in Applied Business Communications and in 2014 as the Outstanding Computer Science Student. She is daughter of Don and Monoka Woodford of Coxs Mills, West Virginia.
"I'm so glad I made the decision to go into GSC's accounting program. In today's world, even a bachelor's degree doesn't guarantee you a job, and people sometimes struggle to find work after graduation. Being part of the program at GSC, employers are coming to find us because our program is so respected in the area; we definitely aren't struggling to find job placement," said Woodford.
She received the award from Gayle Mason, who is serving as state-wide president of the WVSCPA, at a regular meeting of the Central Chapter on October 28th in Morgantown. Accompanying her was GSC Associate Professor of Accounting Cheryl McKinney, CPA, CGMA. McKinney is also Woodford's faculty advisor.
"Being named the Outstanding Accounting Senior in the entire state of West Virginia is a tremendous accomplishment and Ashley's recognition by the WVSCPA is richly deserved. Her strong work ethic and personal commitment have allowed her to blend academic excellence as a triple major, leadership in co-curricular activities, and success in work experience together in a unique way that is recognized and appreciated by both professors and accountancy professionals. She represents the bright future of our profession and it is gratifying that the WVSCPA continues to recognize our academic program and students. Ashley is a thoughtful, poised young woman who exhibits dedication and excellence in all she does and Iâm very proud of her!" said McKinney.
Woodford, who plans to take the CPA licensing exam, has already accepted a full-time position with CPA firm Gibbons & Kawash, A.C. in Charleston after she graduates from Glenville State College.
In addition to an engraved plaque, Woodford has also been recognized in the WVSCPAâs quarterly magazine, 'The West Virginia CPA.'
The announcement of Woodford as Outstanding Accounting Senior marks the second time in four years that a GSC student has been recognized with the top honor. In 2011, GSC graduate Justin Brown also received the award.
For more information about the accounting program at Glenville State College, contact the GSC Department of Business at (304) 462-4123.
