 "Photo: Glenn Connelly / Photo Editor")
PROFESSOR WINNERS: Will Snyder, Accounting Mark Laumakis, Psychology
San Diego State's WebPortal might say that accounting professor Will Snyder is teaching a class. It doesn't mention the guest lecturers Snyder brings into the room. Like his former clients from Deloitte, Haskins and Sells, one of the top accounting firms in the country. Like his parents. Like "The King." Snyder teaches his classes with an equal mix of the book, his personal knowledge and his heart. He'll follow up a lecture on taxation of donations and gifts with a story about how Elvis Presley would give away brand new Cadillacs to random people. Snyder will try to relate anything students study in the book to real-life situations. "He has a very clear way of explaining very complex concepts," accounting senior Matt Howard said. "He's one of my idols because of the success that he's had in his personal life as well as the success he's had in shaping young accountants." Snyder makes a point of treating his students like his children, advice given to him by his mother. He makes sure that they get lessons in more than how to count dollars and cents. Snyder doesn't use PowerPoint, doesn't like staying at the podium and doesn't go through a class without ensuring that students really understand the material. He strives for an interactive classroom so that students can experience working with people, not just numbers. "Every semester, I ask myself, 'How can I raise the bar for myself and bring something new for the students to the table?'" Snyder said. "I believe we all have gifts. I discovered at a young age that I have a gift and a desire to impart knowledge onto young people and to do it in a motivational setting." Students enjoy Snyder's energy and passion, which can liven up the sometimes drab subject of accounting. Colleagues have even told him that he should go into motivational speaking. "He's like the Tony Robbins of teachers," accounting senior Jon Burland said.
Will...Thanks for paving my way to the CPA Exam! You are an inspiration to me...I aspire to teach in your league!Joanna Johnson, CPA, Alumni BS Bus. Admin. Accounting '93 and MS Accounting/Taxation '97