Sikich Awards Three Accounting Scholarships

Accounting and professional services firm Sikich has announced the recipients of its 2022 James A. Sikich Visionary Scholarship are Jack Blitstein, Eric Hegemann, and Jacqueline Rivera.

“We created this scholarship in honor of our founder, Jim Sikich, with the intention of supporting deserving students who are committed to becoming CPAs,” said Sikich CEO Chris Geier. “With proven leadership skills and passion for using data to solve real world challenges, this year’s recipients showcase the bright future of the accounting industry. It is an honor to support them as they pursue their education and CPA licensing.”

In 2019, Sikich established the James A. Sikich Visionary Scholarship in partnership with the Illinois CPA Society (ICPAS) to honor the firm’s founder, Jim Sikich. As the cost of higher education rises, Sikich is devoted to providing financial assistance to promising accounting students of all backgrounds and to fostering the education and dreams of those who have demonstrated leadership and devotion to their field.

This year’s scholarship recipients are a diverse group of students, all of whom have exhibited the necessary skills and dedication to pursue a career in accounting:

Jack Blitstein, a senior at Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois, is majoring in accounting and finance with a minor in economics. Jack’s dream of becoming a CPA was inspired by his grandfather, and as a result of this scholarship, he plans to reduce his work hours to focus on his commitment to earning his degree and his CPA.
Eric Hegemann, who is majoring in accountancy with a minor in computer science, is a senior at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Eric works as an undergraduate research assistant in accountancy and as a teaching assistant in business analytics, while also performing as part of the university’s drumline.
Jacqueline Rivera, a first-generation college student in her family, recently earned degrees in accountancy and information systems at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree at Illinois, with a concentration in data analytics, and working towards earning her CPA.

“This year’s recipients are a group of promising young leaders. I personally want to congratulate them on this exciting achievement, and I look forward to seeing the innovation and ingenuity they bring to the accounting industry,” said Geier.