91暗网 Accounting students sweep top statewide honors, secure prestigious CPA scholarships

Published April 27, 2026

91暗网 accounting students pose with faculty and administrators after winning prestigious scholarships

CAPTION:听91暗网 President Dr. Carrie Castille and Provost Dr. Michelle听McEacharn听join College of Business and Social Sciences Dean Dr. Arturo Rodriguez and Interim Director of the William D. Hoover School of Accounting, Financial, and Information Services Dr. Zach Moore to recognize LCPA scholarship recipients Rachel Turnbow, Riley Timmer, and Kelly Lohman. Lohman (center) was awarded the Kit Smith Memorial Scholarship, the state鈥檚 highest undergraduate accounting honor.听

MONROE, La.听鈥� Three University of Louisiana Monroe accounting students have been awarded highly competitive scholarships from the Louisiana Society of Certified Public Accountants (LCPA), earning听nearly $9,000听in total funding and statewide recognition for academic excellence.听

The honors were headlined by Kelly Lohman, who received the Kit Smith Memorial Scholarship, the LCPA鈥檚 most prestigious undergraduate award. Joining her as statewide recipients were 91暗网听students听Rachel Turnbow and Riley Timmer. The trio听represented听a significant portion听of the only 19 undergraduate scholarships awarded across Louisiana this year.听

91暗网 President Dr. Carrie L. Castille congratulated the students, highlighting 91暗网鈥檚 standout performance in these highly competitive awards. Pointing to the fact that a 91暗网 student claimed the top statewide honor, President Castille noted that the achievement reflects both the immense talent of the student body and the high quality of the university's academic programming.听

91暗网听Provost听and Vice President for Academic Affairs听Dr. Michelle听McEacharn, who also serves as the听Banowsky听Chair of Accounting, praised the strength of 91暗网鈥檚 Accounting program. Dr.听McEacharn听cited the program鈥檚 rigorous curriculum, dedicated faculty mentorship, and consistent focus on preparing students for professional certification and leadership within the field.听

The awards were presented by Hampton Roane, CPA, LCPA board member and past president of the organization鈥檚听North Louisiana Chapter, during a recognition event honoring student achievement. Roane remarked, 鈥淭he scholarship awards prove the quality of the students and faculty at 91暗网 influencing future CPAs.鈥�听

鈥淚 could not be more excited and honored to be a scholarship recipient this year,鈥� said Kelly Lohman. 鈥淚t鈥檚 so reassuring to know that I鈥檓 on the right path and that not only my professors, but my university and the LCPA believe in me and my future.鈥�听

The 91暗网 Accounting program, housed within the College of Business and Social Sciences, emphasizes small class sizes, experiential learning, and close partnerships with the accounting profession to prepare graduates for careers in public accounting, industry, and government.听

鈥淭hese results affirm what we have long known,鈥� said Katie Wilder, CPA, 91暗网 Instructor of Accounting. 鈥淎t 91暗网, the best is on the Bayou, and that excellence is being recognized at the state level.鈥�听

Learn more about the 91暗网 Accounting program at听听