Author Archive

Pamela Church (’86)

Rhodes College Accounting Professor Pamela Church Honored for Outstanding Faculty Service

(Memphis, Tenn.)—Dr. Pamela Church, associate professor of accounting at Rhodes College, was presented the 2019 Jameson M. Jones Award for Outstanding Faculty Service at the college’s Opening Convocation Aug. 16.

The Jameson M. Jones Award for Outstanding Faculty Service honors a current faculty member who has established an outstanding record of service to the college. It is named in memory of Dr. Jameson M. Jones ’36, who served as the college’s chief academic officer for more than 15 years. Dr. Milton Moreland, provost and vice president for academic affairs, presented the award at the Opening Convocation.

Church joined the Rhodes College faculty in 1988 and has served as the chair of the Department of Business, as well as taught undergraduate and graduate accounting courses in the areas of financial, managerial, governmental accounting, and auditing.

As the director of the Master of Science in Accounting program, she has assisted students in preparing for careers in various areas of accounting and spent considerable time networking with accounting professionals and firms to promote the college’s thriving programs and its students. This includes her organization of the college’s annual “Meet the Firms” career and recruiting event with invited CPA firms and corporations. Church also works closely with Career Services to promote information about internships and permanent positions with firms and national corporations. Under Church’s leadership, the student professional placement rate in careers since the accounting program’s inception is a sterling 100 percent.

The many letters of nominations noted that Church is a skilled and gracious administrator and teacher who is known for her sense of patience and collegiality and willing to forego her own interests for the good of the whole community. One colleague wrote, “She cares about students no matter whether they are excellent performers or students who need a little more help. I know that she is always supportive and encouraging to students. She never gives up on anyone.”

In addition, Church has served on many of the college’s major committees, and she is the sole academic representative on the Tennessee State Board of Accountancy, which oversees the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) profession in Tennessee. Having been nominated by the governor for this position, she has a unique opportunity to have an impact on the accounting profession more broadly.

A native Memphian, Church is the parent of three Rhodes alumni. She holds a B.S.E. and an M.S. from The University of Memphis and a Ph.D. in accounting from the University of Houston. She also holds a CPA certificate in the state of Tennessee.

Thomas Conner (’73)

Thomas Conner is a new member on The School for Advanced Research’s board of directors in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Pamela O’Rourke (’95)

Pamela O’Rourke Honored with a 2019 Women Who Mean Business Award by Houston Business Journal

Austin Pettit (’16)

Austin has accepted a position as Assistant Manager at Houston Country Club.

Michael Burke (’73, M.A.’75)

Michael Burke was named president of Milwaukee Area Technical College. He was previously president of San Jose City College.

Robert Planck (’71)

Robert Planck was honored at the 60th TKE Bi-Annual Conclave by receiving the Fraternity for Life Award, the highest award from the TKE Foundation.

Honorable Andrew J. Cobos (M.B.A.’11, J.D. ’11)

Hon. Andrew Cobos (M.B.A.’11, J.D.’11) announces the launch of THE COBOS LAW FIRM. Cobos says, “The amazing professors at West Point and the University of Houston have cultivated my educational curiosity and spirit for advocacy. My clients have given me great cases and a purpose for which to fight.” More…

Jason M. Graham (’04)

Jason Graham, Ph.D., associate professor of mathematics at University of Scranton, has received a grant to research “Pattern Formation and Decision Making in Slime Mold.” More…

Matt D. Manning (’06)

 

Matt Manning has been named to the 2019 edition of Texas Super Lawyers “Rising Stars.” More…

Gracie E. Villarreal (’11,M.Ed. ’16)

 

Gracie E. Villarreal (’11,M.Ed. ’16) was recently featured in the online magazine VoyageHouston. She shared her health journey & weight loss story.  She was also recently interviewed by a local radio station KHEA Radio (via their radio station & FB live session) where she shared and answered questions about her health journey & weight loss. Her hope is that through these platforms she is able to reach others and motivate them to make healthier choices to improve their quality of life.

Villarreal says, “My health journey could have not started without UHCL-Health Services.  I give credit to the wonder team of nurses & staff at UHCL-Health Services for helping to save my life.  As part of the UH alumni, I am thankful every day that UH & UHCL-Health Services was there for me to help, guide, and consult me to better health.” More…