John Talbott, Accountancy Professor, Honored for 33 Years of Service

Alumni, business leaders and fellow faculty members joined in toasting Dr. John Talbott, Professor of Accountancy, for over three decades of teaching, mentoring and leadership in business. Learn how you can continue his contributions through the John Talbott Accounting Leadership Program.

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Over the course of the past 33 years, Dr. John Talbott, Professor of Accountancy, has been one of the most influential and memorable people ever to teach in the Department of Accountancy in the Raj Soin College of Business. The impact that John has had on so many lives as a teacher, mentor and friend is simply immeasurable.

When John announced his retirement this spring, alumni, faculty and students experienced very mixed emotions.  The idea of endowing the Accounting Leadership Program in John’s name to honor his life’s work and ensure that we never lose those special qualities that John brought to our students’ learning experience and entire college was set in motion - thanks to the leadership of Albert E. Asebrook III, Partner, Deloitte & Touche, LLP (Wright State, 1984), Dr. Susan Lightle, Professor of Accountancy and Dr. James Greenspan, Professor and Accountancy Department Chair.

You can join in celebrating John’s career by making a gift to the John Talbott Accounting Leadership Program in John’s honor.  Created two years ago, the Accounting Leadership Program (ALP), helps formalize a method of teaching and mentoring students that is similar in many ways to the methods John used during his career to help mold what are now this region’s emerging leaders in the profession.

Each year, the John Talbott Accounting Leadership Committee accepts 25 academically qualified first year students into the program, with a special emphasis on recruiting underrepresented groups.

• Every ALP Student receives a minimum of a $1,000 scholarship from the department annually for four years.
• As freshman, each student is assigned a mentor from the business community for career development and guidance.
• ALP students take 1 – 2 accelerated courses per year that have a special emphasis on connecting with the members of the local business community.
• Each student is required to participate in an ALP community service project.
• Students are expected to attend 2 – 3 events per year focused on business and leadership issues.
• As upper classmen, they are expected to recruit future ALP students by making presentations in local high schools.

The cost to support an accounting leadership student is $25,000 per student. Every gift helps us continue the tradition that John started and ensures the longevity of the program. To make a contribution, please contact:
Thomas Wamsley, Director of Development, 
Thomas.wamsley@wright.edu   937-775-3718
123 U Rike Hall – Raj Soin College of Business
Wright State University
3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy
Dayton, Ohio 45435-0001

Highlights of Dr. John Talbott’s Career:
Please take a few minutes to read about John’s remarkable career and see what just a few of his former students and colleagues have to say about his inspiration, professionalism, motivation and mentoring.

Since John joined the college in 1975, he has made an impact on the students he taught, the alumni he counseled, the faculty he worked with and the professionals with whom he interacted. He has long been viewed as one of the college’s greatest assets and consistently been recognized as one of Wright State’s most accomplished professors:

• John is the only two-time recipient of the Alumni Association Outstanding Teacher Award in the University’s history.
• He was a recipient of the University Presidential Award for Outstanding Teacher and the Trustee’s Award for Faculty Excellence.
• He has received a combined 15 Outstanding Teacher Awards from the College of Business and the Department of Accountancy.
•  John served as a WSU Distinguished Professor from 1989 to 1992.
•  He was the recipient of both the R. Lee Brummet IMA Distinguished Service Award for Education in 2002 and IMA Student Case Competition National Award in 2002.

John has continuously interacted with the professional community not only to keep himself current, but also to bring students meaningful professional experiences. In the 16-year history of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) National Student Case Competition, John has supervised 12 Wright State student teams to the finals, bringing home top honors five times. In two different years, he led two different student teams to the finals in the same year—which has never been achieved by another university!

Most impressive of all of John’s accomplishments is his ability to impact the lives of his students. His expertise in helping students find the strength to be successful was, and still is, his greatest talent. Challenging those who need it, mentoring those who require it, and expecting everyone to reach the full potential is what makes John an extraordinary teacher and colleague. His ability to connect with each of us on a unique personal level is what makes him an extraordinary person.

John has been a friend, mentor and trusted professor to thousands of faculty, staff and students during his 33-year tenure with Wright State University and the Department of Accountancy. The positive impact he has had on all of us cannot be overstated. His professionalism and leadership have been vital components in making the Department of Accountancy a recognized leader in business education.  Thanks in many ways to John’s leadership, our Accountancy Department, students and alumni have been acknowledged among the elite in the state

With your support, we can ensure that John’s legacy continues to live through the Accounting Leadership Program for generations to come. We look forward to celebrating John’s career with you and to the promise of a bright future for our Accountancy students.

Comments from Alumni

“What most impressed me was his sincere interest in seeing students learn and succeed. It’s that dedication…that sets him apart…and is what kept me inspired to learn all I could about the profession.”  – Tracy Drees, ’93, Chief Financial Officer, Precision Strip, Inc.

“John Talbott is more than just a professor to me.  He is an angel in my life that inspired me to reach heights that I previously lacked the confidence to even consider, both professionally and personally.” —Holly McCutcheon, ‘83, Financial Consultant

“Dr. Talbott’s passion was contagious. He taught me far more than tax. He taught me how to motivate those around me to realize their full potential.” —John Latham, ’91, Partner, Ernst & Young

“John Talbott made accounting interesting and fun, a task not easily accomplished.” —Karen Puthoff, ’83, CFO, St. Mary Development Corporation

“John Talbott made me think, he made me laugh, but most importantly, he inspired me to do my very best.” —Bob Reynolds, ’88, Director, Brady Ware

“John Talbott was never too busy to help those who needed a little more help! He not only helped me develop my understanding of accountancy, but also encouraged me to foster other skill sets that I didn’t know I had. His never ending support during my years at Wright State and continuously thereafter is immeasurable. Dr. John Talbott is the type of friend and mentor that everyone should have.”  —Sheila R. Ponder,’93, CFO, Telhio Credit Union, Inc.

“I count it an honor and privilege to have known John over many years as a professor, mentor, advisor, friend and colleague. Unlike some of the horses that he picked, Dr. Talbott has run the race with endurance, winning wire-to-wire and closing strong!”  —Neal Pemberton, ’76 and ’80, Vice-President of Finance, YMCA of Greater Dayton