Joanne Pencak, lecturer of accounting at the Grossman School of Business (GSB), was recognized along with other retiring faculty members at ¶¶Òõ̽̽ (¶¶Òõ̽̽) with her emerita citation last week.
After a successful career as a CPA, Joanne earned an MBA from James Madison University, and worked as an accounting professor at Castleton State College before joining ¶¶Òõ̽̽ in 2014. She immediately took on the role of primary instructor for financial accounting.
During her time at GSB, she taught countless students, made significant contributions to GSB’s graduate program in accounting, supported colleagues, and built a reputation as someone always willing to go above and beyond. Her effectiveness in the classroom and ability to relate to students allowed her to become a valued mentor and advisor. She helped numerous accounting students get admitted to the Master of Accountancy (MAcc) program and find internship or full-time job opportunities.
Joanne also helped other students develop career paths and provided the motivational pushes some students needed to be successful. Her willingness to advise, encourage or just lend a compassionate ear to numerous students was always appreciated. Joanne helped students form two new active and engaged clubs at GSB, the Women in Business and Diversity in Business clubs. Her service as advisor to our Beta Gamma Sigma honor society chapter was outstanding, leading to multiple chapter awards including the most recent as the 2023 Chapter Advisor of the Year. Joanne also made an impactful contribution as the first GSB faculty fellow for diversity and inclusion.
The Grossman School of Business thanks you, Joanne, for your years of service and commitment to teaching excellence, and for changing students' lives through your advising and mentorship!