Expanding a years-long partnership centered on mentoring and recruiting, KPMG has named a classroom in the College of Business.
At a ceremony attended by FIU Business alumni who now serve as KPMG partners on May 26, 2017, MANGO 220 was officially named the KPMG Classroom in recognition of a multi-year financial contribution to the School of Accounting and the College of Business.
“KPMG is very generous with the College of Business and the School of Accounting, dedicating their time and experience to us,” said Joanne Li, dean of FIU’s College of Business. “You keep coming back to hire our students and take them under your wing as mentors.”
FIU alumna and Dean’s Council member Becky Sproul (BAcc ’91, MBA ’94), championed the classroom naming initiative internally with her fellow FIU Business alumni and KPMG partners Carolina Delgado (MAcc ’98), Ezequiel Ladron de Guevara (MAcc ’04), Victor Lorenzo (MAcc ’04), Bill Schinas (BBA ’91), and Jose Aldrich, vice dean of the College of Business.
They noted that the College of Business and the School of Accounting are great places to recruit highly talented and motivated students.
It was FIU, they agreed, that set them on the road to become successful professionals.
“Looking back at my career success, it reflects the opportunities I had at this university and the impact they had on my life,” said Lorenzo, audit partner at KPMG.
The mission: Support students’ growth in accounting careers.
The funds allocated to the School of Accounting will be used for direct support and increased exposure of students, explained Ruth Ann McEwen, senior associate dean and director of the School of Accounting.
This includes travel and participation in intercollegiate competitions for Beta Alpha Psi, the National Honor Society for Accounting, Finance and MIS majors, the Association of Latino Professionals in Finance & Accounting (ALPFA) and the FIU Accounting Association.
“It’s the kind of support we can’t give without your help,” McEwen said.
Aldrich, a 35-year veteran of KPMG, highlighted the role that FIU plays in the local community. While at KPMG, Aldrich served as a member of the FIU Foundation as well as the College of Business’ Dean’s Council, and was Dean’s Council chair for two years.
“I see the impact every day,” said Aldrich. “At FIU we make education an opportunity for students that may not otherwise have it.”
