Petravick named Illinois CPA Society Outstanding Educator

05/12/2011 4:30 PM

The Illinois CPA Society (ICPAS) has selected Dr. Simon Petravick as one of three professors to receive its Outstanding Educator Award for 2011.

The ICPAS presents the Outstanding Educator Award each year to two teachers from four-year schools and one teacher from a two-year school who have made continuous and outstanding contributions to the education of accounting students.

“I know many of the teachers who have previously won this award,” Petravick said. “I respect them. I’ve worked with them at various events and it’s quite an honor to be included in that group.”

Petravick teaches accounting and auditing classes at Bradley. He is a coordinator of the Internal Auditing Education Partnership (IAEP) program and serves as the faculty advisor for Bradley’s chapter of Beta Alpha Psi, the international honorary association for accounting majors.

In addition to teaching,  he aims to provide students with opportunities to engage in professional development programs and community service projects.

“Education is part what you do in the classroom and part what you do on your own,” Petravick said.

So it’s no wonder Bradley students nominated Petravick for this award.

“The fact that they took the time to submit the nomination meant a lot to me,” Petravick said.

Once nominated, a professor must fill out a 20-page application form with letters of recommendation from the dean of the college and from students.

The primary criteria the society looks for when evaluating an application is excellence in teaching, student motivation and mentoring, educational innovation and contributions to the accounting profession.

Petravick said he gets his inspiration from his students.

“There’s a lot of opportunity for students who graduate with an accounting degree. This motivates me to do things that help them to develop the skills they need to start a career,” Petravick said. “Like many Bradley professors, I enjoy what I teach. I enjoy accounting and like to work with students who are interested in it.”

Petravick was very appreciative when he found out he won the award.

“In order to do the things that I do, I have to have the support of my colleagues in my department,” Petravick said. “I’m grateful that my co-workers and family both believe in good teaching.”

Read the story from PR Newswire.