Margarita Lenk is an associate professor in the departments of
accounting and computer information systems in the CSU College of
Business. Ask Margarita Lenk to talk about herself, and she'll tell
you what's happening with her students - like Victor Amaya.
"Margarita always has time for her students," said Amaya,
president-elect of Colorado State University's chapter of Beta Alpha
Psi, a national scholastic and professional accounting fraternity.
"She will put aside anything she is doing to help you out, whether
it is school-related or life-related."
For nearly a quarter of a century, Lenk has been devoted to teaching
students and serving her profession, particularly the minority
community. In recognition of that devotion, she has received three
major awards this year alone: |
- Outstanding Educator from the American Accounting
Association, Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies
Section
- Service Award for Enhancing Minorities in the Accounting
Profession from the American Accounting Association, Diversity
Section
- Jack Stewart Student Project Award from the Accounting
Information Systems Educators Association (along with two
accounting students, Erin Smrdu and Tara Nelson)
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Even with these numerous awards, Lenk still focuses
on her students. "While I have been honored with many teaching awards,
my best teaching award is the news that my students have made sound
choices in their lives and are improving their organizations,
communities and professions with great passion and vision," she said. "I
view teaching not as a semester-long grading exercise, but as a lifelong
commitment to mentoring."
The College of Business at Colorado State also has taken notice of
Lenk's commitment to her students. "It would be difficult to find
another faculty member who cares more about her students than does Dr.
Lenk," said John Olienyk, senior associate dean of the college. "She is
an important part of who we are as a faculty."
Twenty-four years ago, Lenk started her career teaching higher
education. Lenk, who is originally from Argentina, said that her
heritage has shaped her as a person and a teacher. "I believe that the
Argentine culture has given me a deep, sustainable hope in my
creativity, my integrity and my ability to create the 'American Dream'
for my family, my students and for others in my community," she said.
Lenk obtained a doctorate in Accounting and Management Information
Systems from the University of South Carolina. She joined Colorado
State's faculty in 1991 and is an associate professor in the departments
of accounting and computer information systems in the College of
Business. She teaches upper-division accounting courses and has an
interest in the use of technology in organizations.
Students say she loves to brag about her students' achievements. Last
year, a team of students from Colorado State went to the KPMG and ALPFA
National Case Study Competition for accounting in Fort Worth, Texas. On
the flight back from Texas, Lenk had the flight attendant announce on
the plane that the students had placed second at the competition. Leanne
Eberle, who attended the competition and was on the plane, was a student
in Lenk's Accounting Information Systems class. "Our class was at 8
a.m., but every day, she came in with more energy than the entire class
combined," Eberle said.
Lenk extends that energy to the minority community. She is dedicated to
supporting faculty and students in any way she can, including mentoring
minority faculty and students. Lenk recently completed research into
partnerships between Hispanic-serving institutions and their
communities. Involvement in the community is an important issue to Lenk,
and she strives to extend that ideal to her students. "I believe that
students need to learn more than the academic discipline-specific
skills; they need to develop as whole persons in
'larger-than-themselves' community contexts," she said. She also extends
her expertise beyond the classroom by remaining active in national
committees and university-level committees.
Still, she wants to be available for students no matter what.
"Margarita is a person I seek when I need a shot of confidence," Amaya
said. "She is a tremendous cheerleader and wants to see her students
succeed."
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--by Emily Kohli, intern in the CSU Office of Public Relations. |
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