Addisen Knetzer, a senior public accounting major from Houston, Pennsylvania, was recently awarded the Outstanding Accounting Student Achievement Award by the Pittsburgh chapter of the Institute of Internal Auditors.
The award was presented to three students and included a $2,000 scholarship. Twenty-eight students from 11 different institutions in the Pittsburgh region applied.
“I am truly thankful to have received this award,” said Knetzer. “I find so much value in scholarships like this because I’ve given back to my community, and I know the significance of helping those in need.”
Knetzer learned of the scholarship through Jayne Olshanski, assistant professor of accounting at Waynesburg University. The application required a 500-word essay about the importance of internal auditors and the applicants desire to become one.
In her essay, Knetzer wrote, “I recognize the importance of giving aid to the community because this is how people grow and become successful. Nobody should have to kick their aspirations down the line because they can’t afford the tools to reach them.”
Reflecting on the award and her time at Waynesburg, Knetzer not only acknowledges the level of education she has received, but also the experiences she has had.
“I’ve learned about my profession in numerous classes, but learning to conceptualize and critically think is more important than learning a basic fact,” said Knetzer. “I will continue to learn after I leave Waynesburg, but it is the unique professional, athletic and social experiences that I can’t replace.”
Upon graduation in the spring, Knetzer will begin an internship as a member of the audit team at Holsinger, P.C., a certified public accounting firm in Pittsburgh.
Founded in 1849 by the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Waynesburg University is located on a traditional campus in the hills of southwestern Pennsylvania, with three additional sites located in the Pittsburgh region. The University is one of only 22 Bonner Scholar schools in the country, offering local, regional and international opportunities to touch the lives of others through service.
