MS ACCY Candidate Awarded Ascend/HSCPA Scholarship
Published on October 15, 2008
Master's candidate Tom Chang has earned accolades from UH Bauer College and local accounting companies because of his dedication to leadership roles on campus.
Strong leadership skills and stellar academic performance often set UH Bauer College students apart from others vying for competitive scholarships. Tom Chang, a master’s in accountancy candidate at UH Bauer, recently proved that as he was awarded a prestigious scholarship from a leading national accounting association.
A former UH student organization president, Chang is one of three recipients of this year's 2008 Ascend/HSCPA Scholarship. “When I was informed that I am one of the recipients of Ascend’s scholarship, I was excited, but surprised,” he said.
A native of Taiwan, Chang has been a student in the U.S. since 2000 and has earned two undergraduate degrees in computer science and business management from Pensacola Christian College. He went on to earn an MBA from Daniel Webster College in 2006 and is currently attending the C. T. Bauer College of Business to earn a master of science in accountancy.
When he applied for the scholarship, Chang was competing not only with his peers, but with students from various universities, such as Rice University, Sam Houston State University and the University of St. Thomas, among others.
“I understood that my chance of being selected was slim,” he said about the scholarship selection process. Chang was singled out by the scholarship committee for his academic achievements as well as his extracurricular activities with Bauer.
“I owe many thanks to Bauer College and the scholarship committee of Ascend,” he said. “In my future pursuing of accounting excellence, I will strive to make both parties proud.”
Chang is a former president of the Masters of Accountancy Network — a student organization at Bauer that focuses on assisting students with building social networks in the professional community and being involved in the local community. Aside from MANet, he has also been active with other student organizations, including Bauer Ambassadors, in which participants volunteer in promoting the college’s image.
“My goals of participation in the process were merely to promote Bauer College and to help its accounting student organizations, particularly MANet, create more networking opportunities,” he said.
Chang has previously been honored with the 2008 Accounting Excellence Award given by the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants. He has also been involved in numerous internships with various accounting companies and is currently involved with PKF Texas and Gainer, Donnelly & Desroches, LLP.
“My current internship experience with PKF has not only further enhanced my accounting knowledge, but also helped me build a network of lifetime friends,” he said of his internship experience.
Upon graduating, Chang said he hopes to be a certified public accountant and continue with a public accounting firm such as PKF Texas. “Without a doubt, as I graduate from the University of Houston next year, I hope that I will be able to dedicate my accounting knowledge to PKF’s success,” he said.
About the University of Houston
The University of Houston, Texas' premier metropolitan research and teaching institution, is home to more than 40 research centers and institutes and sponsors more than 300 partnerships with corporate, civic and governmental entities. UH, the most diverse research university in the country, stands at the forefront of education, research and service with more than 35,000 students.
About the Bauer College of Business
The C.T. Bauer College of Business has been in operation for more than 60 years at the University of Houston main campus. Through its five academic departments, the college offers a full-range of undergraduate, masters and doctoral degrees in business. The Bauer College is fully accredited by the AACSB International - the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. In August 2000, Houston business leader and philanthropist Charles T. (Ted) Bauer endowed the College of Business with a $40 million gift. In recognition of his generosity, the college was renamed the C.T. Bauer College of Business.