By Sharon Hua

On a sunny September afternoon, with the familiar Monterey Bay breeze sweeping through campus, more than a dozen CSUMB alumni and friends gathered in a classroom, but not for a lecture. They were there to celebrate Professor Jeff Froshman, a beloved mentor who profoundly impacted their careers, as a classroom was officially dedicated in his name.

One by one, they shared stories of how Professor Froshman helped them launch successful careers.

“During my senior year, I asked Professor Froshman for advice on finding a job in the Bay Area,” recalled Nicole Velichko, now a senior tax manager at Joby Aviation. “He picked up the phone and called a partner at Armanino. That’s how I got my first career position.”

Miles Amodeo, a Certified Financial Planner at Bordeaux Wealth Advisors, echoed Nicole’s sentiment. “When Professor Froshman learned I had an insurance license, he recommended me to Hayashi Wayland. That connection made all the difference in my career.”

Garret Sutherland, CPA, now a partner at Van Ruler and Company, shared his own story. “When my wife was a week away from delivering our daughter, I received a call about a partner position. Another former student of Professor Froshman had referred me."

These individuals are part of a group affectionately known as the "Friends of Froshman." Once uncertain high school graduates and community college transfers, they now hold senior positions in accounting firms and businesses. They are dedicated to spreading the word about the exceptional education they received at CSUMB and how it led to rewarding careers in accounting.

Since its inception, the CSUMB Accounting program has grown from fewer than 20 students in 2008 to more than 180 students in 2024. Each year, the program places dozens of students in high-potential career positions. The program is currently undergoing elevation from a concentration within the B.S. Business Administration degree program to become its own major.

To express their gratitude to Professor Froshman and the accounting faculty, Garret, Nicole, and Miles joined other alumni and friends to raise more than $30,000 for a new Friends of Froshman Fund. The fund supports accounting faculty members’ outreach efforts to economically disadvantaged communities, promoting the exciting opportunities in accounting and the high-quality education Cal State Monterey Bay offers to prepare students for successful careers.

Today, Room 113 in the Business and Information Technology Building is dedicated to Professor Froshman, acknowledging the passion for education and student success that he has instilled in so many.

Thank you, Friends of Froshman, for showing our students that accounting professionals give back to their communities.

Thank you, Professor Froshman, for being an inspiring example; a teacher who leads with his heart.