Accounting Club visits Pennsylvania ceramics firm

students holding tshirts — Students in Alfred University’s Accounting Club hold t-shirts they received during their visit to McDanel Advanced Ceramic Technologies. Pictured are, from left, students Samantha Smit, Jennalyn Conley, Shawn Magishie, Marcus Shavers, Yaw Agyekum, Dylan Dyn, Dakota Podufalski-Worcester, Nathan King, and Mike Ingram, and Theresa Gunn, professor of accountancy and club faculty adviser.

Students in the Accounting Club at Alfred University toured a ceramics company in Pennsylvania earlier this month and learned how accounting is applied in a manufacturing-based enterprise.

Theresa Gunn, professor of accountancy and faculty advisor to the Accounting Club, organized an April 18 trip for eight students to McDanel Advanced Ceramic Technologies LLC in Beaver Fall, PA. Alfred University alumnus Mike Ingram ’92 (BS, ceramic engineering), ’96 (master’s in ceramic engineering) is CEO of the company, a leader in developing and manufacturing high quality ceramic tubes and ceramic components.

Gunn said Ingram, who spent time talking with students, “was a gracious host and created the opportunity for our students to learn about the ceramics processes” and talk with McDanel’s chief financial officer and resource and development manager about their positions in the company.

The previous evening, students met for a business dinner with Alfred University alumni Kevin Miller ’12 (BS, accounting) ’15 MBA, and his wife, Rebecca Zill-Miller ’16 (masters in school psychology.) Kevin Miller is project manager, Network Operations at Winland Foods, Inc; Rebecca Zill-Miller is a pediatric neuropsychologist practicing in Wexford, PA. The two discussed with students “their career trajectories and experiences,” Gunn noted.

The trip was beneficial to students in that they were able to see how what they learn at Alfred will apply to careers. “The ability to link the real world with the classroom is what makes Alfred special,” Gunn commented.