WMU accountancy student recognized for achievements, leadership with $5,000 scholarship
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Lauded for being an excellent student and committed leader, Noah Hahn, a student at Western Michigan University’s Haworth College of Business, has received the Michigan Accountancy Foundation Final Year Scholarship, a $5,000 scholarship awarded to students who are in their final year of studying accountancy at a Michigan college or university.
During his time at Western, Hahn has not only excelled in his coursework, but has also made his mark outside of the classroom. Demonstrating his desire to seek new skills and lead other students, he has been a member of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) student organization since fall 2019, serving as president since fall 2020.
Sunday Bonifas, faculty specialist II in accountancy and faculty advisor of NABA, says of Hahn, “His commitment to supporting the educational and career goals of NABA students, as well as maintaining strong relationships with employer recruiters, is clearly demonstrated by his consistent hard work as president of this organization.”
In addition to his involvement in NABA, Hahn completed two internships at Ernst & Young during his undergraduate career and also volunteered twice with the Alaska Business Development Center to assist the Internal Revenue Service with their Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program. This experience involved taking trips to rural areas in Alaska to prepare tax returns in communities with few resources.
Bonifas speaks highly of Hahn and encouraged him to apply for this scholarship. “Noah’s intelligent, confident and friendly nature attracts others and is aligned with the community and culture of Western Michigan University,” she says. “ I have truly enjoyed working with him and am certain that his future endeavors and accomplishments will reflect the technical and professional attributes that the Michigan Accountancy Foundation seeks to encourage and reward in students.”
Hahn graduated from WMU in spring 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in accountancy and is pursuing a Master of Science in Accountancy at WMU. He will also be working as a graduate assistant in the Department of Accountancy in fall 2023.
“I’m very thankful for this scholarship as it will allow me to continue my education while lessening the financial burden,” Hahn says. “I am proud and honored to be a recipient and look forward to learning from and networking with CPAs within Michigan.”
About the award
Each year, the Michigan Accountancy Foundation (MAF) awards scholarships to accounting students attending colleges and universities across Michigan. Accounting majors in their senior year are encouraged to apply. The MAF scholarship program seeks to build diversity within the profession and to assist current accounting majors in funding their fifth/graduate year. Several named scholarships are offered, as well as the Accountants Coalition Minority Scholarship. The number of scholarships awarded varies each year depending on the amount of available funding. On average, eight to 12 students will receive scholarships.
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