Lester H. McKeever, Jr., managing partner of Washington, Pittman and McKeever, a Chicago accounting firm, received the Commerce Alumni Association's Distinguished Commerce Alumnus Award for 1996. The presentation took place at the annual Spring Luncheon in chicago. during a career marked by professional success and personal commitment there have been numerous recognitions. In 1995 he was appointed to a three-year term at the Federal Reserve Bank in chicago and served as deputy chair in 1996. In recognition of outstanding service to the community, he was selected 1991 Chicagoan of the Year by the Chicago chapter of Frontiers, Inc. a partial list of his professional and civic affiliations demonstrates his broad reach: AICPA, ISCPA, American and Chicago Bar Associations, National Association of Black Accountants, Chicago Urban League (former President), Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Zoological society (treasurer), Metropolitan financial Planning council,and Leadership Greater chicago.
| Lester McKeever accepting the Distinguished Commerce alumnus Award at the Spring Luncheon. |
Reflecting his strong interest in horse racing, McKeever serves as president of the Associates Racing Association corporate secretary of Maywood Trotting Association and Egyptian Trotting Association, chair of the Harness Tracks of america, and on the board of the Balmoral Racing Club.
A 1995 graduate of the college with a major in accountancy, McKeever has maintained close ties with his alma mater. He is a member and past-president of the commerce alumni Association, current vice-president of the college's business Advisory council, has been treasuer of the UI board of Trustees, and a member of the Illinois alumni Association. McKeever, who earned a J.d. with Distinction from IIT chicago Kent College of Law, serves on both the IIT and IIT Law School boards. A chicago native, McKeever was on the transition teams for Mayors Harold Washington and Richard M. Daley.
 | Arthur R. Wyatt received the 1996 Commerce Appreciation Award in recognition of his tireless contributions to the College Of Commerce and the Department of Accountancy. wyatt, an adjunct professor of accountancy, returned to the University of Illinois after a remarkably successful thirty-year career in public accounting. HIs scholarly contributions have influenced two generations of students; his professional contributions have had far-reaching effects in public accounting and accounting policy-setting. |
After earning a bachelor's (1949), master's (1950), and doctorate (1953) in accountancy at the University of Illinois, Wyatt joined the accountancy faculty and embarked on a distinguished teaching career. In 1966 he left academia to join Arthur andersen & Co. Made a partner in 1968, he went on to become managing director for the Accounting Principles Group. This experience led to his appointment to the Financial Accounting standards boards (FASB) in 1985. after two years at FASB, he returned to Andersen. In 1988 he was asked to represent the United States on the International Accounting Standards committee and served that organization until 1993 (chair from 1990-93). He rejoined the faculty at his alma mater in 1993, sharing his vast experience with students one semester a year and taking part in Project discovery, Illinois's innovative new accounting curriculum. In a career that keeps on going, Art Wyatt has recently agreed to serve as a consultant on international affairs to the chief accountant of the SEC.
Returning to the classroom after thirty years, Wyatt discovered that he still loves teaching. and, judging from student comments, he hasn't lost his touch. the commerce Appreciation Award is one of many honors he has received. Others include Outstanding alumnus Award (1963), presidency of american Accounting association (1992), and membership on the AICPA board (1980-84).
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CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
Each year the Commerce Alumni Association presents two prestigious awards: the Distinguished Commerce Alumnus/a Award and the Commerce Appreciation Award. The board of Directors is requesting nominations for each of these awards by January 31, 1997. DISTINGUISHED COMMERCE ALUMNUS/ALUMNA AWARD
COMMERCE APPRECIATION AWARD
To nominate a candidate, please send the following:
Send your nominations to:
Nominations must be received by January 31, 1997.
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