Some ACIS Alumni Speak About the Department and our Programs
John Emery (B.S. 1986)
Chief Operating Officer
MeriStar Hospitality Corporation, Washington, DC
"My experience at Virginia Tech provided a broad base of knowledge for beginning my career in business. I was well prepared to develop opportunities to grow our business through sound financial structuring. Through participation in the Department of Accounting Business Advisory Board and successful recruitment of many Hokies into the workplace, I have firsthand knowledge of the superior quality of technical and business skills that Virginia Tech imparts to its students. I admire and appreciate the fact that Virginia Tech provides students with a balanced mix - outstanding academic education and practical preparation for the business world."
Elizabeth Lester Walsh (B.S. 1989)
Director of Knowledge Management
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Jersey City, NJ
"Charles Darwin said, 'It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.' My freshman class was the first that was required to purchase PCs; I had not previously used one. Now, I am immensely grateful for the strength of my information systems classes. They provided an excellent background for navigating change in the Internet economy. At Tech, I supplemented my course work with a rich selection of extracurricular activities. I was president of Beta Alpha Psi and co-chair of Business Horizons. I was fortunate to receive the Pamplin College Outstanding Senior Award. Virginia Tech prepared me for a variety of interesting and productive careers. I found Blacksburg an enriching and stimulating home for four wonderful years."
Lisa C. Gumaer (B.S. 1996)
Senior Accountant, Assurance and Advisory Services
Deloitte & Touche, Richmond, VA
"I chose to attend Virginia Tech in part due to its reputation as a technologically advanced university. Most of my classes required students to complete at least one project using various computer programs, whether the class was related to statistics, management science, or accounting. This forward-thinking approach to integrating information systems into business courses prepared me well for a world where sheets of paper are quickly becoming replaced by bits of data."
Randy M. Lucas (MACCT 1992, CPA)
Tax Manager
PricewaterhouseCoopers, Charlotte, NC
"My tax and accounting education at Virginia Tech deserves a lot of credit for providing the foundation to allow me to elevate my career far beyond my expectations. From my first years in public accounting, the tax and technology skills I developed at Virginia Tech opened many doors and opportunities, including allowing me to assist in developing software to be used by our firm and its clients. I work with Fortune 200 corporations, and am in a practice group of about 200 professionals throughout the U.S. Technology is vital to many aspects of our operations. I truly feel that my education from Virginia Tech gives me a distinct advantage in producing quality projects and solutions to meet my clients' needs."
Felicia Diggs (MACCT 1999)
Consultant
Deloitte and Touche, McLean, VA
"I had an excellent learning experience at Virginia Tech. My professors brought pertinent and thought-provoking real-world examples to the classroom. Each experience in life provides us with a workman's tool. My master's of accountancy from Virginia Tech is a valuable workman's tool that is essential to my work at Deloitte and Touche."
