What does it mean to receive the 2019 Belk College Distinguished Alumna Award?
I am so honored and humbled. I remember when the Belk Family made the gift to name the Business School. John Belk joked that my degree was now worth more since it had the Belk name attached to it. I quickly replied, “I should go to HR and ask for a raise!” This is very special to me.
When did you graduate and what was your major?
1978, BS Accounting
What kinds of opportunities did you have at UNC Charlotte, such as membership in student groups, sports played, internships, study-abroad?
I served on the Student Activity Fees Commission, which was an appointed group to review use of activity fees. I was at UNC Charlotte during the great final four basketball team. It was a wonderful time to be a 49er. I was also honored to be a Junior Marshall and the speaker at my commencement ceremony was Barbara Walters.
Why did you choose UNC Charlotte?
Location, size and strength of the accounting department. I came from a very small town in the mountains of NC and wanted a mid-size school.
What was the best part of your Belk College experience?
The professors in the business school were all outstanding.
What was your first job after graduation?
When I started in public accounting at KPMG in 1978, it was known as Peat, Marwick, Mitchell. I started in the audit department in the Charlotte office. In 1985, I started working for Belk, Inc. and began a great career and relationship with the Belk Family. I am so honored to win an award named after this special family.
What is your current role?
I have my own consulting firm, Wealth Matters, LLC, that I established in 2014 after retiring from Belk, Inc. as a Tax Advisor. I do consulting for family offices and private foundations. Preserving private wealth for successful families is my passion.
What did you learn in the Belk College that has best prepared you for your career?
I learned to work hard and engage in lifelong learning.
What advice do you have for current Belk College students?
Education is a marathon not a sprint. Try to approach problems from different points of view and learn from people that are different from you. Respect other disciplines because the ability to work with others is indeed the most important skill needed in business.
What has establishing the Susan N. Jamison Accounting Scholarship meant to you?
It has been so exciting for me and my family to be able to give back to UNC Charlotte and my profession. As a first generation college student, I am so happy to be able to play a small part in the future for Belk College of Business accounting students. I received a merit scholarships at UNC Charlotte, so I know personally how scholarships can change the direction of a young person’s life. One of my greatest joys is the excitement that my two grown children expressed when I told them of my plans to fund a scholarship.
