Fisher celebrates outstanding accounting students at 2026 awards banquet

The Fisher School of Accounting recognized outstanding students at its spring banquet on April 16, held at the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center. Jathan Barr (BSAc ’26, MAcc ’26) was named the Chrislynn Freed Master of Accounting Outstanding Student of the Year, the highest honor awarded to a Fisher student.

“Winning the Chrislynn Freed Master of Accounting Outstanding Student of the Year award felt like reaching the top of a mountain,” Barr said. “It felt as though all the hard work I put in over the past five years was being recognized on the biggest stage. I am truly grateful to have experienced that moment.”  

Barr would like to thank his parents, his girlfriend, all his professors, and Chrislynn and Glenn Freed.

“Thank you to Chrislynn and Glenn Freed for the words of congratulations and support they offered me after the ceremony,” he said. “Meeting the people who generously sponsor this award and take the time to recognize student achievements was very fulfilling.”

“To everyone who came up to congratulate me afterward: professors, faculty, students, and professionals, thank you. Your kind words meant everything. I am honored that the Fisher School holds me in such high regard, and I will be sure to represent them well in all my future endeavors.”

Barr will graduate in the spring of 2026 and begin his career with KPMG in the Big Four accounting firm’s business tax services practice.

“The Warrington College of Business and the Fisher School of Accounting have given me the tools necessary to succeed in the professional world. The academic program has equipped me with the knowledge needed to tackle real-world business problems.”

Beyond the academic program, Barr is grateful for his experiences across his undergraduate and graduate studies.

“From being a part of student organizations, to collaborating on group projects, to public speaking and writing courses, Warrington and Fisher have given me skills that are highly valued in today’s professional world,” Barr said. “The network I’ve built over these past five years, from peers to professors, is something I care about deeply and will prove invaluable as I transition into my career.”

The Fisher School also recognized several other students for their accomplishments. The complete list of winners is below.

Scholarships and Fellowships

Fisher MAcc Fellowship

• Jaden Smith

Fisher School of Accounting Commemorative Gallery Fund Fellowship

• Rebecca Harkins
• Jack Malki
• Bradley Rowe
• Andrew Silva
• Jaden Smith
• James Walter

Joseph F. And Theresa A. Cannella Family Master’s in Accounting Scholarship

• Nicholas Kline

Glenn Freed Master of Accounting Fellowship

• Conley Strayer

Haft Family Accounting Scholarship

• Lucas Jacoby

Batson-Siegel Accounting Scholarship

• Meghan Brown

Jim and Sandy Wadsworth Scholarship

• Ethan Muhl
• Ethan Vugman

Averett Accounting Scholarship

• Sophia Mendonca

Aaron and Carly Topol Accounting Scholarship

• Ally Fine

Ralph W. Miller Scholarship

• Laura Mason
• Maxwell Schwartz

Don Miller Fifth Year Accounting Scholarship

• Alicia Hoang

Sharon and David Apseloff Accounting Scholarship

• Damian Rodriguez

Steve J. Krouskos Accounting Scholarship

• Ivy Ye

William E. Crown, Jr. Fellowship

• Aidan Romance
• Carson Sapashe

Gerson, Preston and Company, CPA Fellowship

• Liam Farrell

Joseph Lumia Memorial Fellowship

• Arianna Bell

Price Maxwell Cleveland Graduate Student Fellowship

• Joah Levine

Kevin Michael and Sandra Mann Davis Family Scholarship

• Bailey Blanton
• Anabella Condino

Richard E. Darby Accounting Scholarship

• Reya Sequeira

Robert N. Lowe, Jr. Family Accounting Scholarship

• Abby Niewald

Jerome Schine Accounting Scholarship

• Jonah Sacher

Gerard and Nancy Arsenault Family Master of Accounting Scholarship

• Jordyn Grantham

Awards

The Barbara Jean Raskin Award for the Advancement of Women in the Accounting Profession

• Grace Gimbel

Ed Triplett Student Leadership Award

• NABA President Jathan Barr
• Florida Students of Accounting Council President (Fall 2025) Zachary Griffin
• Florida Students of Accounting Council President (Spring 2026) Lily Robison

J. Michael Cook Student Leadership Award

• Beta Alpha Psi President Ashley Gumbel

Chrislynn Freed Master of Accounting Outstanding Student of the Year

• Jathan Barr

J. Michael Cook Excellence in Teaching Award

• Gabriel Pereira Pundrich