Surdick named Outstanding Ohio Accounting Educator by The Ohio Society of CPAs

For More Information: Amy Johnson, Senior Manager, Public Relations ajohnson@ohio-cpa.com 614.764.2727, ext. 341

(COLUMBUS, May 12, 2008) The Ohio Society of CPAs and the American Accounting Association (AAA) Ohio Region have named John J. Surdick, Ph.D., CPA the recipient of the 2008 Outstanding Ohio Accounting Educator award. He was presented with the award at the annual AAA awards banquet held in Dayton last month.

The Outstanding Ohio Accounting Educator award is presented each year to an accounting educator who has made extraordinary contributions to the accounting profession and whose teaching skills and techniques merit special recognition. The award is co-sponsored by The Ohio Society of CPAs and the AAA Ohio Region.

Surdick has been an accounting professor in Xavier’s Williams College of Business for 22 years. During that time, his positive impact on students has been unmistakable. His enthusiasm inside the classroom and out, his standards of excellence and his immeasurable efforts with students have earned him eight teaching awards at Xavier, including the Bishop Fenwick Award, Xavier’s highest teaching honor given to a faculty member.

“During my 22 years at Xavier University, I have sought to integrate scholarship with teaching and to convey to students a love of learning that is anchored upon a set of moral and ethical values,” Surdick said. “I have always set high standards for my students and for myself.”

Surdick has a long track record of involvement with students. For years he acted as advisor to the student-run accounting society, held a leadership role in the Beta Gamma Sigma student honor society and is also currently involved with the formation of the first Xavier chapter of the Beta Alpha Psi honor society. Surdick was also the first faculty member to create a VITA (Volunteers in Tax Assistance) program at Xavier, in which he worked with students to prepare tax returns for low-income and elderly members of the community.

To say that Surdick’s teaching effectiveness is above average would be an understatement. Semester after semester, he typically receives student evaluation ratings of about 4.75 out of 5 points, based on criteria such as overall effectiveness, demonstrated care for quality teaching and contribution to intellectual and scholarly achievement.

“Dr. Surdick is consistently ranked as not only one of the best teachers in our department, but also in the Williams College of Business and the university as well. Students find his classes extremely challenging and they appreciate his attention to detail, his thoroughness and the structure he applies to every class activity,” said Sandra B. Richtermeyer, chair of the accountancy department at Xavier. “Students find him very approachable and comment on how much they respect his expertise.”

Surdick has an extensive research and publication record, serving as author, editor and contributor to a large volume of professional journals, books and publications. He has been recognized for his publication and research by the university, the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) as well as various foundations.

Throughout his career, Surdick has also served the accounting profession through active involvement in organizations such as AAA, IMA and AICPA, among many others. Notably, he has held every leadership and service position in the Ohio Region of the AAA, including his role as region president from 2003 – 2004.

“For me, accounting still remains an interesting, challenging and rewarding field of study. I hope that through my teaching, publishing and service activities that I have been able to contribute in some small way to making a difference in the lives of my students and the accounting profession,” Surdick said.

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The Ohio Society of CPAs, established in 1908, represents more than 24,000 CPAs in business, education, government and public accounting. The Ohio Society’s members not only meet statutory and regulatory requirements as CPAs, but also embrace the highest standards of professional and ethical performance. This is achieved through ongoing professional education, comprehensive quality review and compliance with a strict Code of Professional Conduct.

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