Home News
College of Business and Natural Sciences
Students
Faculty
Awards
Academic Affairs
COVID-19 and tax season allow BHSU senior to jump-start career
Josh Vaith of Scotland, S.D.,
will graduate from Black Hills State University
next month with degrees in
public accountancy and business administration –
economics and finance. Josh was able to
begin working with his future employer,
ELO CPAs and Advisors, when BHSU
announced an extended spring break in March.
The public accountancy and business administration major says his involvement at BHSU prepared him for the early start to his career.
“Knowing how to conduct myself in meetings and conference calls, how to approach someone with a different viewpoint, doing what you say you’re going to do, communication – involvement on campus and in the workplace, they go hand in hand,” says Josh.
A list of Josh’s accomplishments while earning his degree would take the rest of this story, but suffice it to say, he is recognized as a campus leader from his work as Vice President of Student Senate, peer advising in the College of Business and Natural Sciences, and working on campus as a Student Technology Fellow. He was also named the 2019 Swarm Day Homecoming King and participated in a BHSU internationals service learning course in Botswana and South Africa.
Josh was offered his job at ELO CPAs and Advisors in February. ELO has six offices throughout eastern South Dakota. He began working in the Yankton office in March and is now continuing some work from home before he graduates from BHSU May 9. Between his junior and senior year at BHSU, Josh completed an internship with Black Hills Energy thanks to a connection he made at the annual BHSU Accounting Fair.
Three out of five of Josh’s courses this semester were online anyway, so the announcement that the rest of the semester would be conducted online due to the pandemic was not a huge academic change for him.
“My mom thinks it’s a good thing I’m here all the time,” jokes Josh. “I enjoy online classes, but it’s a lot different being at home. In Spearfish, it was easier to stay on top of deadlines.”
Josh says his professors have been very responsive, especially economics professor Dr. Ron DeBeaumont. DeBeaumont is currently discussing in one of Josh’s courses how Coronavirus is affecting tax policies, unemployment tax, and social security. DeBeaumont will often take a few of the President’s proposed policies and discuss how they would affect different groups and entities.
“Dr. DeBeaumont is helping us to become more informed citizens,” says Josh.
The pandemic brought a swift end to Josh’s last semester on campus at BHSU. He is disappointed the Class of 2020 will not have the opportunity to say those final goodbyes on campus. The campus will host a virtual commencement ceremony for 2020 graduates.
“I want to thank BHSU for the memories,” he says. Parting words from a BHSU student leader whose impact will be felt on campus for years to come and who, like all members of the Class of 2020, is wished the very best by the BHSU family.
Spearfish
1200 University Street
Spearfish, SD
57799-9502
Phone: 605.642.6131
Fax: 605.642.6254
Admissions@BHSU.edu
Rapid City
4300 Cheyenne Blvd
Box Elder, SD
57719-7700
Phone: 605.718.4112
Questions?PrivacyTitle IX
Terms of UseEmail LoginEmail Password Reset
Copyright © 2023 · Black Hills State University