Bonita Peterson, associate professor of accounting at Montana State University-Bozeman College of Business was recently notified that she is the 2003 recipient of the Montana Society of CPAs Jack J. Kempner Outstanding Educator Award.

The MSCPA outstanding education award is an annual presentation established to honor a full-time accounting educator who teaches primarily accounting courses at a four-year college or university in Montana.

Nomination guidelines for the award state that the nominee must be distinguished for excellence in classroom teaching, motivating students and/or education innovation. The nominee must have shown examples of excellence in ways that include effective teaching, leadership in curriculum development and significant contribution to the accounting profession.

Mark Sherman, a 1997 MSU-Bozeman accounting graduate, nominated Peterson. Sherman says, A major reason for Bonita s success as a professor is her preparation for class. In my experience as an undergraduate (MSU-Bozeman) and graduate (Notre Dame) student, Bonita is the most prepared professor that I have worked with. I truly believe that Bonita s primary goal is the development and success of her students. Her ability to balance the demands of her profession and her family life is unparalleled. For this reason, she has served not only as a role model for myself, but to other students and faculty as well.

Peterson is the fifth MSU-Bozeman accounting professor to receive the award. Peterson says, I know all the MSU faculty who are past recipients of this award Professor Christie Johnson, Dr. Barbara Taylor, Professor Clint Frazee and MSU s legendary Dr. James Schwartz. To even be considered to be in the same league as these outstanding educators is a highlight of my career.

Peterson will receive her award June 20 in Helena during the Montana Society of Certified Public Accountants annual meeting