Dale Flesher receives national accounting award.
OXFORD, Miss. – Dale Flesher, professor and Arthur Andersen Alumni Lecturer in the Patterson School of Accountancy at the University of Mississippi, is recipient of the 2011 Distinguished Achievement in Accounting Education Award from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
The award recognizes full-time college accounting professors who excel as educators and who have achieved national prominence in the accounting profession.
Among his many contributions, Flesher is known for his assistance in moving the AICPA library, a voluminous history of the accounting profession, from New York to the J.D. Williams Library at Ole Miss.
Paul Stahlin, chair of the AICPA, presented the award at the spring meeting of the institute’s governing board.
“Throughout his career as a professor, Dale has made lasting contributions to the accounting profession,” Stahlin said. “But his work with the library stands out. His efforts have ensured that this large collection of resources will be preserved for future generations of accounting students and academics.”
“Dale Flesher’s selection for this recognition is another indication of the quality of faculty in our School of Accountancy,” said UM Chancellor Dan Jones. “I am pleased to see others at the national level recognize and reward his commitment to teaching, research and service.”
In his acceptance speech, Flesher said, “This is a wonderful tribute. The previous winners include individuals with whom I have the utmost respect, so it’s an honor to follow in their footsteps.”
Flesher served as a member of the AICPA’s Governing Council from 2005 to 2008 and as a member of the AICPA Foundation Board from 2002 to 2005. He has served on numerous AICPA committees, including his present role as part of the AICPA 125th anniversary advisory committee. He served a two-year term as president of the Teaching, Learning and Curriculum of the AAA.
During 34 years at UM, Flesher has spent his fair share of time in the classroom teaching accounting principles and mentoring students. He has also carved out a legacy of research and writing, which includes some 50 books and more than 300 articles published in over 100 different professional journals throughout the world. He eHewas presented with the 2005 Thomas J. Burns Biographical Research Award at the Academy of Accountant Historians Hall of Fame Conference.
Flesher, who also serves as associate dean of the Patterson School, has played a key role in curriculum development at Ole Miss and serves as coordinator of both master’s and doctoral programs. He was recently named the fourth recipient of UM’s Distinguished Research and Creative Achievement Award.
Flesher joined the Ole Miss faculty in 1977, following four years at Appalachian State University. He received both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Ball State University, and he holds a Ph.D. in accounting from the University of Cincinnati.
Flesher is married to Tonya K. Flesher, who is the Arthur Andersen professor of accountancy at Ole Miss. They are the parents of one son and one daughter.