Appalachian alumnus Luke Eggers ’17 is a staff accountant at SkyLine, a telecommunications corporation headquartered in Ashe County. Photo submitted
BOONE, N.C. — When Luke Eggers ’17 graduated from Appalachian State University, he didn’t have to travel far to find his first job. He was hired as a staff accountant at SkyLine Membership Corp., a telecommunications corporation headquartered in Ashe County where he grew up.
Eggers, who graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in business administration (BSBA) in accounting, said he loves working for a local company that has provided so much to his hometown community.
“SkyLine has always focused on providing state-of-the-art service to our area and is constantly involved in charitable efforts for community events, helping our community grow. It is awesome to be a part of a company that has such a strong sense of local loyalty,” he said.
Eggers planned a career in accounting before enrolling at Appalachian, and the excellent reputation of the Walker College of Business (WCOB) made his choice of universities easy, he said.
“From the first time I stepped on campus, I knew that Appalachian was where I belonged. The atmosphere and the community felt like home,” he shared. “The professors in the accounting department are second to none, and all of their accolades speak for themselves. After just a few classes with some of the accounting professors, I knew I had made the right choice.”
During his college career, Eggers worked part time for a local certified public accountant (CPA) firm and was a member of the WCOB’s Beta Alpha Psi honor society for accounting, finance and information systems students.
Both his job and the honor society exposed Eggers to a number of industry professionals, and he said those interactions influenced his path and taught him valuable lessons he uses in his day-to-day work at SkyLine.
Appalachian’s accounting program teaches students not only the value of the educational material, but also the value of a strong work ethic and building professional connections, Eggers said.
“Dr. Tracy Reed, in particular, portrayed these ideas, both in her lectures and through her involvement with Beta Alpha Psi,” he added. “Her advice and experiences were inspiring and helped me determine what I wanted in my future career — and how to get there.”
Eggers said, “The accounting professors understand that the educational material is essential for a solid foundation in one’s career in the field of accounting, but also value preparing for what comes after classes are over, molding their students into sound professionals ready to start their careers.”
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About the Department of Accounting
The Department of Accounting has built a strong reputation for excellence in accounting education and is highly regarded by accounting employers in North Carolina and throughout the Southeast. Learn more at https://accounting.appstate.edu.
About the Walker College of Business
The Walker College of Business at Appalachian State University delivers transformational educational experiences that prepare and inspire students to be ethical, innovative and engaged business leaders who positively impact our community, both locally and globally. The college places emphasis on international experiences, sustainable business practices, entrepreneurial programs and real-world applications with industry. Enrolling approximately 3,000 undergraduates in 10 majors and 175 graduate students in three master's programs, the Walker College is accredited by AACSB International – the premier global accrediting body for schools of business. Learn more at https://business.appstate.edu.
About Appalachian State University
As the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The Appalachian Experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and to embrace diversity and difference. Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Appalachian is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. Appalachian enrolls nearly 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.
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