Advanced Search

University Relations 202 Eielson Fairbanks, Alaska 99775-7520
(907)474-7581 Fax (907)474-6492
fynews@uaf.edu

Fairbanks, Alaska - A newly endowed scholarship in the name of Thomas E. Bartlett, an associate professor of accounting and information systems who retired from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in May, will help future business students balance their college costs while getting an accounting degree from UAF.

The local firm of Cook & Haugeberg Certified Public Accountants established the scholarship by donating $5,000 to UAF. A $5,000 matching donation was provided with private funds through UAF Chancellor Joan Wadlow's Challenge Grant Program to create the $10,000 endowed Cook & Haugeberg Certified Public Accountants Thomas E. Bartlett Accounting Scholarship for qualified students of accounting.

UAF's accounting and information systems, part of the School of Management, is the only accredited accounting program in Alaska. UAF is one of only 115 universities out of about 1,200 business schools in the U.S. which have the distinction of being separately accredited by AACSB-International Association for Management Education in its undergraduate accounting, business and MBA programs.

According to Cook & Haugeberg's Mike Cook, he and firm partner Jerry Haugeberg wanted to strengthen the partnership with UAF which has resulted in the hiring of as many 60 UAF graduates over the past three decades.

"We've hired UAF graduates because they do an excellent job. It is reflective of UAF's curriculum, faculty and educational system," Cook said.

Ken Abramowicz, an assistant accounting professor at UAF, says the partnership keeps a steady supply of qualified CPAs for businesses, non-profits and government entities.

"It takes two years minimum of professional experience to become a CPA. Cook & Haugeberg have done their part in hiring our alumni so they can get that professional experience," Abramowicz said.

"Once they get certification, they're prepared for high level accounting positions when they open in the state and nationwide," he said.

According to Abramowicz, Cook & Haugeberg has long been a partner with UAF's accounting department.

"An annual tradition is for Mike to conduct a mock interview just prior to Accounting Week each October when CPA firms from across the state come to interview UAF students. The mock interviews are invaluable and have become extremely popular," Abramowicz said.

Cook & Haugeberg CPAs have also made unsolicited donations to UAF's student accounting organization, said Abramowicz, and Mike Cook has been a member of the School of Management Advisory Board for many years.

"The creation of the Thomas E. Bartlett Accounting Scholarship is just one more example of the leadership and service Cook & Haugeberg has given to UAF's accounting program, " Abramowicz said.

Tom Bartlett, who retired with the rank of associate professor emeritus this year, began teaching at UAF in 1974. He was considered by his students and his colleagues to be an outstanding teacher. He has been recognized as an Outstanding Educator of the Year by the Alaska Society of Certified Public Accountants.

While at UAF, Bartlett strengthened relationships with accounting professionals in Alaska and led a faculty exchange project with Russia's Yakutsk State University Institute of Economics. He also served as president of the Alaska State Board of Accountancy and is credited with making significant and substantial contributions to the legislation and practice of accounting in Alaska.

CONTACT: UAF Accounting Professor Ken Abramowicz (907) 474-7080, or CPA Mike Cook, Cook & Haugeberg (907) 456-7762.

UAF Home | Media Releases FY98 | UAF News & Events | UAF Search |

Send comments to the University Relations Office or call 907-474-7581.
Last modified June 16, 1998