Wade Hostetler’s University of Akron student experience will conclude with his May 2025 graduation. But along the way, he met friends and learned how to change course when plans didn’t go as originally expected.
Wade jumped into campus life as a member of organizations as varied as the Water and Snow Skiing clubs, as well as the Accounting Association, and the AK Rowdies, the loud, enthusiastic student-section fan who energize other fans at UA basketball games. “I’ve had such a variety of experiences, seen just about all Akron has to offer.
“Getting rowdy in the student section has always been a fun thing. I’ve attended (Mid-American Conference) championship games and seen Akron win, those have been tremendous experiences.
A Strasburg, Ohio, native, Wade enrolled at UA, planning to study engineering but soon realized that career path wasn’t for him. He says the process of figuring out where he should be, ultimately Accounting, was an education in itself.
“Fortunately, I had started building a network, from the friends I’d met and the faculty I’d talked with (at Akron). You have those kinds of people in your life. So, at a time I was asking myself ‘what do I do? where will I end up?’ I was surrounded by people who would help me find the answer.
Wade, who followed both his parents who previously attended UA, says faculty and mentors were instrumental in pointing him toward accounting, which has opened up several opportunities, including solid accounting internship experiences.
He says attaining his CPA credential and becoming a certified public accountant is his next goal after graduation. As a member of the College of Business Accelerated study program, he’s been able to complete some of his required graduate level course work while still an undergraduate student.
During his Akron career, Wade learned to value reaching out to others. “There are so many clubs and things to do here. Everything is an opportunity to meet someone or learn something new.”
Wade says he will take several experiences from campus as he moves into professional life.
“Akron is a big campus but has a ‘small feel,’ that reminded me of my hometown,” Wade says.” He says Akron taught him a lot about himself and how to balance school work and life. “I’ve grown a ton through my time at The University of Akron and that’s something I’m really grateful for, the confidence I have now.”
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