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Student Op-Ed
RACHEL MANNOR, SENIOR ACCOUNTING STUDENT
A strong desire to learn and the guidance I have received from my instructors have been my keys to
success as a non-traditional student.
For me, it all began with a co-worker who had recently went back to school. The co-worker was strug-
gling with algebra and asked if I could help. Although it had been years since I had taken algebra in
school, we solved the problem together: and that was the spark.
For a long time I had this feeling that my life was dwindling away; I knew that I could do more than what
I had allowed myself. I decided to return to college to prove to myself that I could accomplish more.
From there, with each passing course, my confidence grew and my desire for success flourished. My
intrinsic desire to succeed and my innate drive to work-hard were only part of the reason for my accom-
plishments, however. It was the professors and leaders in Clayton State University’s College of
Business that helped me realize my potential.
To the College of Business faculty: you have inspired me with your modeled values. You motivated me
with social interaction and positive reinforcement. You required excellence, accountability, and
achievement of specific goals. You enriched my mind and helped me create a vision for my future. Your
encouragement has convinced me of my abilities and as a result, I now have the tools to overcome any
of life’s obstacles.
Thank you for everything you give of yourselves to help others become extraordinary.
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program of
the College of Business has again received a
Performance Award Grant based on its participa-
tion in the VITA program for the 2014 tax season.
Two hundred and twenty-five taxpayers, from the
campus and the larger community, had their
returns prepared by our Business students over
seven Saturdays in February and March. A visit by
the IRS during tax season to evaluate our site
yielded a perfect score of 100.
Congratulations to Dr. Gary May, Professor of
Management, who published his second book
with Business Expert Press, titled
Persuasive
Business Presentations: Using the Problem-
Solution Method to Influence Decision Makers to
Take Action
. The book focuses on a specific
presentation context: a problem-solution persua-
sive presentation to decision makers delivered in a
conference room environment. Dr. May blends his
extensive business experience with current
research on persuasion to provide a practical,
applied approach to using the problem solution
pattern.
VITA is a national program that provides tax
support for certain eligible taxpayers. The
program is also an experiential learning experi-
ence for Clayton State students, providing the
volunteers with extensive IRS training and testing.
Clayton State is proud to be the only university in
the state of Georgia that has successfully partici-
pated in the VITA program for 25 consecutive
years this 2015 tax season.
Dr. May also is a 2014
recipient of the Distin-
guished paper Award,
presented by McGraw-Hill
and the Federation of
Business Disciplines. His
paper was titled “Using
Business Cases to Foster
Critical Thinking Skills.”
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA)
Garners More Accolades
— Dr. Judith Ogden, J.D.
Publication & Award Notes: Dr. Gary May
Thank you for
everything you
give of yourselves
to help others
become
extraordinary.
“
“
Rachel carries the designation of Clayton State University’s Academic Recognition Day Honoree for 2015