19 UNO Accounting Students Earn Prestigious NESCPA Scholarships

Nineteen students from UNO’s College of Business Administration (CBA) School of Accounting have received scholarships from the Nebraska Society of CPAs (NESCPAs) for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Awards, presented at NESCPA’s Annual Meeting on Nov. 5, range from $1,000 to $3,000 and recognize students' academic excellence and commitment to the profession.

💡 Why it matters:
The accounting profession is facing a workforce pipeline challenge. Scholarships like these not only ease financial barriers but also help build the next generation of ethical, community-minded professionals—right here in Nebraska.

🔎 Zoom in: Who won what

$1,500+ Scholarships:

• Davis Guetterman: $3,000 Society Award Scholarship given in the name of Dennis Blackman of Omaha – recipient of the 2025 NESCPA Public Service Award.
• Carson Tvrdy: Arnold Magnuson Scholarship ($2,500)
• Alayna Kuhn, Torri Osantowski: 150-Hour Scholarships ($1,500 each)

$1,200 Scholarships:

• Kathryn Storbeck
• Liam Jost
• Mariela Llanos Atilano
• Brianna Murray
• Pablo Tapio
• Allison Drozd
• Russ Butler

$1,000 Pipeline Scholarships:

• Brooke Kovar
• Adrian Irlbeck
• Alden Zabawa
• Avery Herman
• Logan Groesser
• Suker Mendoza-Calmo
• Trina Bernal
• Harley Le

🏆 Special recognition:
Dennis Blackman, UNO accounting alum, received the NESCPA’s 2025 Public Service Award. In a Maverick move, he directed his $3,000 award funds to support Davis Guetterman, a Master of Accounting student at UNO.

Blackman also established the Dennis D. Blackman Pipeline Scholarship, awarded to five UNO students this year:

• Trina Bernal
• Logan Groesser
• Avery Herman
• Adrian Irlbeck
• Brooke Kovar

🎤 What they’re saying:

“UNO gave me the foundation to succeed, and I’ve never forgotten that. Supporting today’s students—especially those who might not otherwise have the chance- feels like the best way to give back. I started the Pipeline Scholarship to help open doors for students who will shape the future of our profession and our communities,” Blackman said.

“We are incredibly proud of our students for earning these competitive scholarships. These opportunities for our students are possible due to the support of the generous School of Accounting alumni and the NESCPAs, and we are thankful for the steadfast community support. Our students’ success reflects the dedication they bring to their studies and the strong support system we have built here at UNO. These awards not only ease financial burdens, they validate our students’ potential and inspire them to lead with purpose in the accounting profession,” said Dr. Roopa Venkatesh, CMA, Director of the School of Accounting and Union Pacific Professor of Accounting.

🌎 The big picture:
This recognition supports UNO’s mission to advance social and economic mobility through student success, community partnerships, and workforce development. It reflects the power of alumni giving back and investing in tomorrow’s leaders.

⚡ What’s next:
UNO’s School of Accounting continues to offer real-world learning, strong faculty mentorship, and scholarship support. Learn more about accounting opportunities at UNO and how to support future Mavericks.