A native of Wilmington, Del., Dean Horner graduated from the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics as an accounting major.
Horner was nominated for this series by Accounting Professors Carolyn Levine and Jing He. In this profile, Horner shares his favorite UD experience, a challenge he has overcome and his plans following graduation.
Lerner: How do you think you have changed from your first semester at UD to now?
Horner: When I entered UD as a freshman, I did not know what I wanted to do in terms of my career. I was a timid young man with much less direction. Luckily, I was exposed to accounting through Professor McDougal’s engaging ACCT 207 and 208 classes. The coursework made sense to me, and I have been afforded such a wealth of opportunities through the accounting path. I have been able to meet so many new fellow students, professors, faculty and accounting professionals because of our wonderful program. These experiences have made me a more social and braver person.
Lerner: What have been some of the challenges you have faced during your college experience and how did you overcome them?
Horner: The biggest challenge I faced during my college experience was the loss of a loved one midway through a semester. I felt the usual enthusiasm I bring to class fade as I grieved this loss. Two things helped me overcome this. The first was having trust in my spiritual faith. The second was seeking guidance from people, including Professor Ethridge and John Groth. These conversations helped me to cope with the loss in a healthy way. College-aged students often face these types of losses for the first time, so I highly recommend they seek support from others.
Lerner: What was your favorite signature UD experience and why?
Horner: My favorite unique UD experience was the community audit with Professor Dragone. We helped a multitude of churches across the state with auditing their financial statements. We met so many nice people who were appreciative of the services we provided. Saving thousands of dollars for so many churches was rewarding.
Lerner: Did you have a Lerner professor or staff member that had a big impact on your UD experience?
Horner: I could write countless pages on my gratitude and admiration for so many of the professors in the accounting department, but there are two I particularly want to thank. Professor Jing He built a strong fundamental knowledge of financial reporting in me through her ACCT 315 class. She has served as a great source of technical knowledge and even more as moral support throughout my years as a Lerner student. I have an immense respect for the research she does in the semesters that she is not teaching. I also want to thank Professor Roger Coffin. He held two captivating classes that sparked my interest in learning. Professor Coffin was kind enough to spend his time helping me along the start of my career path. It means so much for such an esteemed person to go out of his way to help me.
Lerner: What does being a “Lifelong Lerner” mean to you?
Horner: Being a “Lifelong Lerner” means both carrying the lessons that we have learned throughout our time at UD and giving back to future generations of Blue Hens. I hope that I will be able to do both things. With KPMG, I hope to have the chance to visit campus with the recruiting team and tell fellow Blue Hens a little bit about my path.
Lerner: What advice would you give to incoming students to make the most out of their college experience?
Horner: The advice I would give to an incoming student is to get involved, study hard and enjoy your time here. As much as you hear this, it goes by fast. Make the most out of the prospect of studying at an incredible school with a welcoming community by joining clubs, applying to internships and trying to say yes to every good opportunity. By filling up your plate, your time management skills will get better, and you will grow as an adult.
Lerner: What are your plans following graduation?
Horner: I have accepted a full-time role as a tax associate in the M&A practice at KPMG in Philadelphia. After an incredible summer internship, I am so excited to return! I plan on pursuing my CPA license in Pennsylvania. Outside of my career, I plan to join the Brandywine YMCA’s Advisory Board in the fall. I believe it will be a great way to give back to another community that I have been a part of for many years.