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Westminster College Alumni Featured in Accounting Professional Speaker Series

Posted on Monday, March 18, 2013

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. - Westminster College alumni Alicia Seitz `11 and Micah Delo `06 spoke to senior accounting students during the Professional Speakers Series in February.

The series was held to educate and advance student understanding and to offer insight into the field of public accounting.

Seitz spoke to the students Feb. 14. She is an associate at the accounting firm Hill, Barth & King, LLC in Hermitage. Seitz offered students insight into the world beyond college.

"In general, the majority of the speakers that students have the opportunity to listen to are those who are highly successful individuals with many years of experience and success," Kevin McCarty said.  "I think it was a breath of reality to hear Alicia's journey as a young professional, from the time she was a student here on campus to where she is now as an associate."

McCarty is a son of Scott and Sherri McCarty of Wampum and a graduate of Lincoln High School.

"I realized she was not there to talk only about the accounting profession. She was there to be brutally honest about life after college," Kimberly Stickney said. "The message she wanted to convey was that there are struggles and it is okay to fail as long as you find the positive and persevere through the difficulties."

Stickney is a daughter of James and Roxann Stickney of Fenelton and a graduate of Butler Area High School.

Delo spoke to the students Feb. 28. He is the financial advisor for the Delo Financial Group.

"Mr. Delo brought his real-world experience into our classroom. He spoke to us about his interesting profession that he works in and answered any financial or job-related questions that we had," Abigail Schulz said. "As a senior entering the work place next year, I appreciate the professional knowledge that he shared with us."

Schulz is a daughter of Richard and Susan Schulz of Saxonburg and a graduate of Hampton High School.

"The objective of my discussion was two-fold," Delo said. "Primarily, I wanted to convey the importance of sound financial strategies after graduation. Secondly, I wanted to talk about my professional experience since graduating in 2006 and the role networking has played in my career development. I've been blessed to have met a number of successful Westminster alumni through various business/cultural outlets and they are extremely supportive of younger alumni."

"Westminster alumni are a great resource and I have always found them very willing to give back and share their experiences with our capstone students," said Jesse Ligo, Jr., professor of accounting and 1982 Westminster graduate. "Nothing rings as true to the students as having someone who has been in their shoes relating to them what it takes to be successful in the business world.  It is one of those situations where everyone benefits."

The students are from the "Auditing II - Emerging Issues in Financial Reporting and Auditing" course. The course is a study of regulatory concepts, statements, and opinions regarding the measurement and presentation of financial information. Issues related to the practice of professional accounting will be explored through research and presentations. The course also includes preparation for the CPA exam, information on requirements for registering for the CPA, information on graduate school, and field trips to experience various business settings. This course serves as the capstone for the accounting major.

The final component of liberal studies is the senior capstone course. The capstone is at least a four-semester-hour course within the major designed to provide an opportunity for students to evaluate and assess the strengths and limitations of their major field. Additionally, the capstone experience permits opportunity for structured reflection on the value of education in and beyond the major and provides another chance to strengthen communication and problem-solving skills.

Contact Ligo at (724) 946-7167 or email for additional information. 

Accounting students and professor stand with alumna Alicia Seitz. (l-r) Kimberly Stickney, Robert Lupton, Alicia Seitz, Professor Jesse R. Ligo, Jr.
Accounting students and professor enjoy lunch with alumnus Micah Delo. (Center) Micah Delo (l-r) Professor Jesse R. Ligo, Jr., Andrew McMurray, Matthew Christ, Matthew Franceschi