Dalton State College senior accounting major, Righley Medders, earned a $15,000 scholarship from Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) for the 2024-2025 academic year.
“When I found out I was selected as a PCAOB scholarship recipient, I felt incredibly honored and grateful,” Medders said. “It was a validating moment that reinforced my hard work and dedication to my studies. The scholarship not only provides financial support but also motivates me to continue striving for excellence in the field of accounting.”
Only PCAOB-selected institutions can nominate students for the PCAOB Scholars Program. Dalton State was one of 463 schools that made the list for 2024, and this is the first year a Dalton State student was nominated.
“As a first recipient, we could not possibly think of anyone better than Righley,” Patrick Ryle, assistant of professor of accounting and nominating faculty member at Dalton State, said. “His academic record is simply outstanding. He is also a great student who participates regularly in class, who helps his fellow students through discussion and participation, and who, based on feedback from fellow accounting faculty, was truly deserving of the scholarship.”
Scholarships are merit-based, and students must meet eligibility criteria, including a minimum grade point average in the top third of their class and a demonstration of high ethical standards.
Medders, who will graduate with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting in December, said he was drawn to the field of accounting due to its fundamental role in business operations.
“The blend of analytical skills, attention to detail and the opportunity to help organizations thrive through effective financial management really appealed to me,” Medders said. “Plus, the versatility of an accounting degree opens up a wide range of career opportunities, from auditing to financial analysis, making it a solid foundation for my future.”
He has completed an internship at PTS Financial Services as a tax consultant and is currently working at Mohawk Industries on the Central Accounting team. Medders said he hopes to begin working full-time in the industry upon graduation and plans to pursue a master’s degree.
Medders is also involved in service and volunteer efforts. Over the summer, as part of a 10-day mission trip with his church, he visited the Amazon rainforest in Brazil, where he and the group traveled a river by boat and visited several villages to provide spiritual and medical support.
“One big issue along the Amazon basin is the lack of accessibility to basic medication. So, in each village, we set up medical clinics where trained nurses helped disperse medication to various families,” Medders said.
