Education/Professional Certification:

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND: Ph.D., 1972 University of Missouri MBA, 1966 University of Massachusetts BS, 1965 University of Massachusetts

Areas of Expertise:

Financial Accounting and External Reporting

Biography:

Richard F. Kochanek is an emeritus professor in the Accounting Department at UConn. Since 2003, Dick has taught the large mass sections of the introductory accounting course at UConn (about 1,000 students per year). He was head of the Accounting Department from 1997-2003. From 1988 to 1992, he served as Associate Dean for Academic Programs in the School of Business. He received his B.B.A. and M.B.A. degrees from the University of Massachusetts and his Ph.D. degree from the University of Missouri. He joined the faculty at The University of Connecticut in 1972. Over his 34 year career at UConn, Dick has published accounting textbooks and numerous articles on external financial reporting issues. Dick has received many teaching awards, both at the undergraduate and graduate level. These include outstanding accounting professor, outstanding professor in the School of Business, outstanding MBA Program professor, outstanding EMBA professor, and the United Technologies Corporation award for outstanding undergraduate teaching. In 1988, he received the Alumni Association award for outstanding teaching at The University of Connecticut. In 1993, he was named as one of the first four faculty designated as University Teaching Fellows at The University of Connecticut. In April 2005, Dick was named the 2004-2005 Outstanding Educator of the Year by the Academic Affairs Committee of the University of Connecticut Undergraduate Student Government. This award was established to recognize excellence in the education and teaching of undergraduate students. In May 2006, Dick was one of the first two faculty members inducted into the School of Business “Hall of Fame”. In February 2007, Dick received the first “Faculty Award” given by Alpha Lamba Delta. Alpha Lamba Delta is a National Honor Society for First Year Students at UConn. Members must have a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Over 500 new members were inducted at the February 22, 2007 ceremony. 2008-2009 Accounting Professor of the Year Voted by Senior Accounting Majors and presented by Beta Alpha Psi at 2009 Accounting Awards Banquet. Dick always had a love for expression as an artist. Since 2003, he has had the great opportunity to sit in classes with faculty from the Art Department at UConn. Especially inspirational have been professors Kathryn Myers, Deborah Muirhead, Pamela Bramble, Laurie Sloan, Paul Murphy, and Gus Mazzocca. Dick feels very fortunate to have met and learned from such talented and dedicated professors and fellow students. He has gained a great respect and appreciation for the unique challenges and joys experienced by the artist. Dick believes that conceptualizing and creating works of original art has translated into a greater sensitivity and passion for his classroom teaching. At this point in his life, Dick’s greatest message to share with his students is the realization of the enormous pool of talent that exists within each of us. To explore this inner talent, to grow as individuals each day, to reach greater levels of expression: This is my fondest wish for all of us.