Tower-Fall-2020

FALL 2020 | TOWER 13 fter 35 years teaching at Kutztown University, accounting professor David D. Wagaman has his eye on retirement in 2020. Wagaman’s relationship with KU began as an accounting student who was born and raised in the university’s home, the Borough of Kutztown. He admittedly didn’t have a plan for what he wanted to do with his life and career when he applied to the university, but looking back, Wagaman says he is glad the cards fell as they did and that he enrolled at KU. “My professors were vital in giving me the direction that I didn’t have in high school,” he said. That was especially true of his political science professor, Richard Close, and his accounting and tax mentor, Bob Wise. Wagaman also gained a lot from his experience as a manager of the men’s basketball team, working under the coach at the time, Bob Spang. To this day, Wagaman helps Spang file his annual taxes. When Wagaman graduated in 1980 with his bachelor’s degree in science and business, focused in accounting, he didn’t immediately have a job lined up. While searching, he continued to work at his part-time place of employment, Kutztown Bottling Works, until enrolling at Drexel University in Philadelphia and earning a master’s degree in taxation in 1982. It was during that time that Wagaman was bitten by the teaching bug. “I got a teaching assistantship and that’s when I knew it was what I wanted to do one day,” Wagaman said. That day came under bittersweet circumstances. When Wagaman’s mentor, Bob Wise, passed away in 1984 after suffering a heart attack, Wagaman was offered a full-time position at his alma mater. Now, as he looks to retirement, Wagaman also looks to give back to students entering the accounting major, as his past students make up his fondest memories of his Kutztown University experience. “I love seeing graduates from the program go on to see success. And it’s gratifying to be seen as a mentor,” says Wagaman, who acted as advisor of the Accounting Club throughout his entire 35-year career. “I’m proud of what we’ve established with the accounting program and feel confident that it’s regarded as a good one.” Talk to his current and former students, and you’ll hear them sing Wagaman’s praises and thank him for the knowledge he’s imparted. “It is hard to believe I have known Dave now for over 30 years,” says W. Scott Balestrier ’89, president and CEO at Griffin/Stevens & Lee Tax and Consulting Network. “What is remarkable is throughout all that time, he had been a constant connection and mentor to me and so many other KU alums, as well as the face and passion of the KU accounting program. I consider myself fortunate to have benefited from his guidance and friendship.” It’s hard for KU alumna Rachel F. Efthemes ’09, CPA and tax senior manager with Mazars Private Client Services in Edison, N.J., to summarize all Wagaman has done to put her on her current path. “Dave has had a significant positive impact on my life and career pretty much since the day I started at KU as a junior transferring in from community college,” she says. “It’s obvious that he’s passionate about what he does and about helping students, and he goes above and beyond to give students the greatest opportunities to succeed. My first semester at KU, he really promoted the Meet the Firm Night event within the first few weeks of class. I attended and met Scott Balestrier, also a KU alum, and through that connection I landed my first paid internship, first full-time position, and my next position with a subsequent firm where Scott knew one of the partners. Fast forward nine years, and I’ve been with the same firm ever since and am on track to make partner in the next few years. I graduated 10 years ago and have had a very successful career thus far. I’m truly happy and financially stable, and I can honestly say that I owe a lot of that to Dave and his unwavering support and encouragement during my time at KU and since.” Now, even upon his retirement, Wagaman will still be aiding future KU accounting majors as a scholarship is established in his name. The financial assistance will be awarded to an accounting major demonstrating academic excellence. Wagaman says his goal is to help those looking to achieve success while struggling with the cost of college tuition. “Let’s face it,” Wagaman says, “a college education is just getting costlier and costlier all the time. It’s a strain for a lot of kids.”