Press Releases:
COLLEGE CREATES ALLEN MCCONNELL DISTINGUISHED CHAIR
(2009-07-08 00:00:00.0)
The Monfort College of Business and the UNC Foundation announce the creation of the Allen McConnell Distinguished Chair with current cumulative gifts of over $300,000 from former students, family, friends and other UNC alumni.
A chair is the most prestigious named faculty position at the University of Northern Colorado. The Allen McConnell Distinguished Chair has been created to recognize the countless contributions McConnell, director of accounting & computer information systems and professor of accounting, has made to the College of Business and its students during his 40 years of service.
The goal is to build a $1.5 million endowment to be managed by the UNC Foundation. The first gifts have come from former students Cheryl Wenzinger, retired audit partner, Deloitte & Touche, and Tim Bradley, partner, Bradley, Allen and Associates.
“We created this Distinguished Chair because we wanted to find a way to honor Professor McConnell for the advice, guidance, and inspiration he gave to all individuals to achieve their fullest potential.” Wenzinger said. “Honoring him during his 40 years of service seemed very appropriate.”
“Allen has made and continues to make a positive difference in the lives of so many students,” states Bradley. “He is sincerely interested in the success of every student.”
“We are grateful for the generosity of so many inspired by Allen McConnell,” said Virgil Scott, president of the UNC Foundation. “The support will allow the College of Business to continue transforming the lives of accounting students for years to come.”
The chair will be used to attract and retain an outstanding accounting scholar and teacher, one with a national reputation.
Distinguished Chairs have traditionally honored colleagues, friends, loved ones, and cherished educators, whose names become a permanent part of the institution while at the same time advancing the cause of knowledge and the education of students.
McConnell has been teaching accounting since the college was founded in 1968 after receiving a BS in accounting in 1965 and a MS in accounting in 1966, both from the University of North Dakota. Over the years, he also taught in the areas of auditing, governmental and managerial accounting. He has served as department chair (now school director) for 14 years, served as an advisor of Beta Alpha Psi and the Professional Accounting Association for many years.
Contributions to establish the endowed chair will either supplement state funding assigned to the position or, if the gift is sufficient to sustain adequate prudent spending, create a new faculty position. Income from the endowment is intended to sustain the position and may cover costs of salary, travel and support.
“We appreciate the generosity of those donors who have and will support this important initiative,” said Monfort College of Business Dean Don Gudmundson. “This named chair honors an educator who continues to exemplify character, leadership, service and commitment to this college and its students.”
For additional information or to contribute to the Allen McConnell Distinguished Chair, contact Barry Benson at barry.benson@unco.edu or 970-351-4338 or contribute online at http://www.mcb.unco.edu/Alumni/InvestMCB.cfm.
About the Monfort College of Business
The Kenneth W. Monfort College of Business at the University of Northern Colorado focuses exclusively on excellence in undergraduate business education. This unique focus has led to national and international recognition for the college including becoming the first and only business program to receive the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award from the Office of the President of the United States, and the only undergraduate-only program worldwide to be accredited by AACSB International in both business and accounting. Over six successive years Monfort’s graduating seniors have scored in the top 5 to 10 percent on nationwide standardized exit exams. Students earn a degree in Business Administration with emphasis options in accounting, computer information systems, finance, general business, management, or marketing. For more information, visit Monfort’s Web site at mcb.unco.edu.
About the University of Northern Colorado Foundation
The UNC Foundation is a private non-profit organization devoted to soliciting and managing private gifts and grants to support the mission and goals of the University of Northern Colorado.
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