By GALEN HAWES
ADA – East Central University’s Accounting program continues to grow in stature, as three graduates have earned statewide recognition for their work.
ECU Accounting alumni Tony Scott (’82), Jimmy Williams (’87) and Frank Crawford (’85) were recognized by the Oklahoma Society of Certified Public Accountants during a virtual awards ceremony September 22.
The awards ceremony was part of the OSCPA’s 102nd annual meeting, which took place online do to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The Accounting program at ECU has a legacy of excellence that reflects on our amazing faculty and deans over the past 40-plus years,” said Wendell Godwin, dean of the Harland C. Stonecipher School of Business. “I am not surprised to see the well-deserved recognition recently awarded to Tony, Jimmy and Frankie by the OSCPA,” Godwin said. “They have all had amazing careers, each specializing in a different area of accounting.”
Scott earned the OSCPA’s Public Service Award; Williams received the Outstanding Member in Business and Industry Award, and the Gold Pen Award; and Crawford took home the Silver Pen Award.
“Besides being outstanding in the profession, they are also great ambassadors for East Central University,” said Godwin. “They donate time and resources to the Stonecipher School of Business for scholarships, programs and building projects. I am honored to have them as friends.”
Scott, an OSCPA member for almost 30 years, is currently serving on the Accounting Careers and Liaisons with Educational Institutions Committees. He is also serving his first year with the OSCPA Educational Foundation and recently completed a motorcycle ride of more than 1,200 miles in one day to raise more than $2,200 for scholarships.
Williams is founder and president of Compass Capital Management in McAlester. An OSCPA member for 31 years, he has served in some capacity on most OSCPA committees – including chairman of the board. Williams is currently serving as Bylaws Committee chair and as a member of the Advocacy Council and CPA-PAC. He received the OSCPA Public Service Award in 2008 and the OSCPA Personal Financial Planning Award in 2016.
Williams is also the recipient of the 2020 Gold Pen Award, given to the author of the best written contribution to the official member publication, CPAFOCUS. He is the co-author of an article that appeared in the January-February 2020 issue titled “The CPA Profession: A Changing Landscape.”
Crawford earned the Silver Pen Award for his article “The Death of Modified Accrual” in the May-June 2019 issue. He is the president of Crawford & Associates, an accounting firm based in Oklahoma City.
-ECU-