ALAMOSA — Adams State University business student Kendra Riehl was presented the Colorado Society of Certified Public Accountants’ Gold Key Award, which goes to the graduating accounting student with the highest GPA. She will receive her B.S. in business administration with an emphasis in accounting and minor in taxation at ASU’s commencement ceremony, May 12. She’ll spend the summer studying for the CPA exam, prior to beginning her new job as a tax associate with Soukup Bush and Associates in Fort Collins.

“She is an awesome student and individual, contributing greatly to our department. She will do wonderful things at her new job,” said Natalie Rogers, assistant professor of business.

Riehl appreciates the guidance she has received from her professors. “Both Sheryl Abeyta and Natalie Rogers made me the accountant I am,” she said. “They cared about me personally, but also pushed me to be more than I thought I could.”

Riehl participated in the Colorado Society of CPAs’ Interview Day and had four interviews. Two resulted in job offers. She chose Soukup Bush because, “They’re the most ideal CPA firm I found.”

At Adams State, she received the San Luis Valley Promise Scholarship, the Milestone Scholarship, and the Vice President’s Merit Scholarship. As part of the McDaniel Internship program, she worked as a supplemental instructor in taxation courses. “Teaching and higher education are definitely in my future, down the road. This has taught me I like to help people,” she said.

She is a San Luis Valley native who graduated from Sargent High School.