Monumental Accounting Career

By Nicole Castillo ‘18

After 23 years at Bradley University, accounting associate professor Dr. Coleen Troutman retired after a career full of scholarly research and professional success.

Troutman has been at the Foster College of Business since the 1992-93 academic year. During her career, she taught a variety of courses on financial accounting principles and federal taxes for both undergraduate and graduate students.

In addition to teaching, Troutman also devoted much of her time to her research, which focused on practical tax and accounting issues. Her work has appeared in practitioner’s journals such as the Journal of Accountancy and Taxes –The Tax Magazine.

One of Troutman’s biggest achievements was receiving the Lawler Award for having the best article published in the Journal of Accountancy in 2011, which was entitled, “Advising Financially Stressed Clients.” The article was co-authored by Dr. Mollie Adams and Gail Petravick.

Troutman is known for her dedication to the accounting department, devotion to her students and her attention to the detail and quality of her work.

Foster College faculty and administration applauded her service to the University and College.

"We have been extremely fortunate to have Coleen as a member of our faculty,” accounting department chair and professor, Dr. Simon Petravick, said. “The success of our accounting program does not depend on fancy classrooms or elegant buildings. To a large extent, it came from Coleen's willingness to deliver an outstanding education in the classroom and to work unselfishly behind the scenes.”

"Bradley University has been privileged and honored to have had Coleen all these years,” Dean of the Foster College of Business, Dr. Darrell Radson, said.  “She has been an anchor in our College's accounting department, and we admire her dedication to her students, colleagues and the College."

“Her support and mentorship have contributed greatly to my own success at Bradley University,” accounting assistant professor and MSA program coordinator, Dr. Mollie Adams, said. “She will be missed, but I wish her the best in her retirement."