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UT Tyler Alumnus Earns Elijah Watt Sells Award for Top CPA Exam Performance

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April 27, 2016

Media Contact:  Hannah Buchanan
Editor/Writer–Strategic Communications & Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.539.7196 (cell)

Paul Douglas Brown of Tyler, a 2015 alumnus of The University of Texas at Tyler, has received the Elijah Watt Sells Award for outstanding performance on the uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination, Dr. James Lumpkin, College of Business and Technology dean, announced.

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants recognizes CPA candidates who have obtained an average score of 95.50 or higher across all four section of the exam on their first attempt. Brown was one of only five winners in Texas and 75 in the U.S. out of 93,742 candidates who took the CPA exam last year. Candidates are eligible for the award the calendar year following the year in which they completed testing.

"The university and the accounting department faculty are extremely proud of Douglas and his accomplishment in receiving the Sells award," said Kathy Kapka, 2016-17 Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants chairman and UT Tyler senior lecturer of accounting. "This achievement is indicative of his dedication to his chosen profession."

Brown will be recognized at the UT Tyler Accounting Awards Banquet on Friday, May 6.

He holds a bachelor of arts in history and a master of accountancy, both from UT Tyler.

The Elijah Watt Sells Award program was established by the AICPA in 1923 to recognize outstanding performance on the CPA Examination. Sells, one of the first CPAs in the U.S., was active in the establishment of the AICPA, and he played a key role advancing professional education within the profession. For more information, visit aicpa.org/.

The UT Tyler College of Business and Technology provides high quality business education to citizens of the East Texas region and beyond through a strategic mix of face-to-face and online delivery. High-Impact Educational Practices are employed to help students at the bachelor's and master's levels attain the knowledge and skills needed to be successful as professionals.

For additional information about the college, call 903.565.5741 or visit uttyler.edu/soules-college-of-business.

One of the 14 campuses of the UT System, UT Tyler features excellence in teaching, research, artistic performance and community service. More than 80 undergraduate and graduate degrees are available at UT Tyler, which has an enrollment of more than 8,500 high-ability students. UT Tyler offers courses at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine as well as a location in Houston.