School of Business Gazette > June 2004

Accounting Students
Recognized for Community Service

Students in Beta Alpha Psi, the accounting honorary society, were recognized for their community service by two different organizations. During the spring semester, Beta students received special recognition plaques for service to the East Madison/Monona Coalition for Aging and to the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.

Over the past several semesters, Beta members and pledges have helped elderly residents clean up and repair their homes, rake leaves, and raise money by working concessions at Kohl Center events. As VITA volunteers, students had tax return preparation training and assisted low-income and elderly taxpayers prepare their tax returns at the South Madison Community Center.

According to Terry Warfield, associate professor of Accounting and Beta faculty advisor, this student group is very active in community service. Service activities were planned and coordinated by community service chairs, Becca Wallace and Laura Griffin, and involved participation by 116 members and pledges, who contributed more than 800 hours of time to these events. Other organizations served during the year included the YMCA, Salvation Army, Mendota Elementary School, Epilepsy Foundation of South Central Wisconsin, and the Madison Parks Division. Beta members also provide free tutoring during the semester to students in introductory accounting classes.